by David Brenneman
It really saddens me to hear people say they hope they are going to Heaven. That they hope they did enough good in life to outweigh the bad.
Even in the Bible we read this: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:20-21.
If being good enough would be enough to get into Heaven, why did Jesus have to come, live a sinless life. Be falsely accused, brutally beaten, nailed to a cross for sins that we're never His. 3 days later rise from the dead. Why would any of that be required, necessary, to achieve eternal life in Heaven if you could possibly be good enough anyway?
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.
This line of thinking that being good more than being bad to get into Heaven is as useless as good thoughts and vibes being "sent" to others in distress. Completely useless. Does nothing but put a false salve on the conscience of the person being told as well as the person speaking.
The Bible says that those who are saved are to in all things pray. In Christ a Believer has the ability in an instant to enter the Throne room of Jesus and to present their requests to Him. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.
The prophet Nehemiah knew this very well. It mattered not to him where he was, he prayed right then and there.
But my Dear Reader, if you can't remember a place and time where you settled the issue of your heart with Jesus, you will never see Heaven. If you read the ending chapters of the book of Revelation you will read of the Great White Throne Judgment. Every single person who didn't take the free gift of salvation will indeed have their lives seen for what it was...and will be shown that their lives fell short.
In this life, right now even, names are being written in the Lamb's book of Life. By the Spirit of God for all who believed and came to Christ Jesus for salvation.
You could have possibly lived an exemplary life...yet on that Judgment day...your name wasn't written in that book...you will face eternity in torment in the lake of fire. Forever separated from God.
There are no exceptions.
There's no exclusions.
There's no special circumstances.
Nobody alive can pray anyone out of Hell either. Under a certain age, the Bible refers to this as the age of accountability, these people don't know right from wrong. It's widely accepted that these are the only ones whom do go to Heaven.
Along with my sadness as mentioned earlier, was the realization that although world history proves every part of the prophecy of Daniel with regards to the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, the world is oblivious to what's coming. The times in which we live.
The return of Jesus Christ for His Church can be at any time. Any moment. All who have not come to Christ for salvation are on borrowed time. Even in Israel they have been preparing for a third Temple. They have the certified red heifer to follow the Law to sanctify it. They have been training Levites for Temple service for many years. The book of Revelation points to this Temple existing. Put the pieces together.
My Dear Reader please make sure that your heart is right before God in Christ Jesus.
Nothing that you are holding onto is as important as that issue being settled. Not fame, not fortune, not even family or friends is more important than knowing where you are going to spend eternity.
"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:3-4.
When sitting down in these, to me early morning hours, I know not what it is that I am lead to write I just know that I am to write what I do. That someone, somewhere, needs to hear what's been written.
My prayer is that whomever you are, if you haven't come to Christ for salvation, let today be that day. Please don't put it off again. Something tells me that indeed you have heard it before and you haven't made that choice to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus.
Jesus said to all who are weary and heavy laiden and He will give you rest. That rest is only possible through salvation in Him.
My hope is not in anything good that I have done in my life. It's absolute rubbish compared to the requirement of salvation in Christ Jesus. He is the one who saved me, gave Himself up for me. He's the One who rescued me. Set my feet on solid ground. That's what His Bible says...and He's waiting to do that for you as well.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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