Is going to church enough to mean you'll go to heaven?
Does reading your bible and praying everyday result in you having a ticket to go to heaven?
Well the bible says there are only two types of people that can be in heaven…
1. Perfect people
2. Forgiven people
1.Perfect people…
God is perfect, righteous and holy.
Unfortutnley, none of us can claim to being perfect.
We might be a good person in our own eyes. Perhaps even other people would describe us as a good person.
There are definitely some people out there we are better than. We're not as bad as Hitler or someone who steals from old ladies.
But the standard for good is not our own. Neither is it what the majority of people agree on. The standard that we have to meet, is God’s standard.
His perfect standard.
And God has judged this world and said
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
“for all”- that leaves no one in history out.
“have sinned” we have all done something that offends God. Think of the ten commandments. Can you honestly say you have never lied?
“fall short of the glory of God”- We may be better than others but compared to God’s glory we all fall very short.
So there are no perfect people, in fact everyone stands condemned by God’s standards.
So is there any hope for us to get to heaven?
2.Forgiven people.
I read recently, "If God didn't forgive, heaven would be empty".
Think about that - the only way anyone will be in heaven is because God has forgiven them.
Heaven will not be full of people who have lived perfect lives (there was only one, the Lord Jesus). Heaven will not be full of people who have done good works.
Heaven will be full of forgiven people.
People who have realised they are sinners before a holy and righteous God. People who have repented and asked God to forgive them for their sins.
When Jesus was on the cross He prayed "Father forgive them". It is only through Jesus’ death on the cross, His perfect sacrifice, that God can offer forgiveness of sins and remain just and Holy. Someone must be punished for your sin.
When we truly realise this our perspective completely changes. We are not owed anything from God. Anything bar judgment that is. Every blessing both present and future is all of His grace and due to His forgiveness!
Have you asked God to forgive your sins?
Or are you relying on something else to get you to heaven?
When we meditate on this truth we understand that when God calls on us to forgive it is the least we can do.
"bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do". Colossians 3:13
We can forgive our enemies, forgive one another, because we have been forgiven.
Who do you need to forgive?
Who could you show grace and mercy to? Following the example of your heavenly father?
Love,
Dave.
"Ultimately, we're all castaways in need of rope"
