Is Heaven For You?

Do we all go to Heaven when we die? Do only some people make it in?

Do you know you’ll be in heaven when you die?

What must we do to receive eternal life?
Is it enough to live simply, love generously, to care deeply and to speak kindly?

How can you know for sure?

The Bible, the infallible Word of God, is here to guide us in navigating safely through life.
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. 2 Timothy 3:13

The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

In the Bible God says we need to acknowledge Jesus as the only way:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out –
Plans to take care of you, not abandon you,
Plans to give you the future you hope for.
“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13

We need to accept that Jesus as the son of God and connect with Him as our saviour – yes it is possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We don’t need to wait until we’re good enough because nothing we do will ever make us worthy of His love, but He knows us inside out … and loves us anyway.

Jesus longs for us to accept His love and invite Him to come in and be our guide … and He’s as close as a prayer away…

“Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal as friends. Revelation 3:20

In the Bible God says Jesus is the only way to heaven.

So what makes Jesus different than those worshipped by others?

Unlike other gods, there is no tomb with his body in because He rose from the dead and was seen by many after his crucifixion.

Unlike other gods He offers forgiveness for our past mistakes with no more guilt, a fresh start with the promise of a close relationship with God that brings guidance for every trial we face and a promise of eternity with God if we’re serious about HIm.

But what about reincarnation? Don’t we just keep coming back until we reach Nirvana?

In the Bible, God says:

Just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.

He will come again but not to deal again with our sins. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

This is what Jesus says this about Himself:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO-ONE can come to the Father except through me. John 14:5

So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21

His desire is that no-one should miss out on the chance to know and accept Him:

All during this time, the good news – the Message of the kingdom – will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

But is accepting Him as Saviour enough? Some would say yes, but the Bible says …

Don’t you realise that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can’t be a friend of God. James 4:4

That’s the way it will be at the end of the present age. The angels will go out and separate the evil people from the righteous people. Matthew 13:49

Then Jesus will again return to earth:

“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne.

Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation.

And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’

Then the King will say, ’I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.’

“Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell.

And why?

Because – I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’

“Then those ‘goats’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?’

“He will answer them, ’I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me – you failed to do it to me.’

“Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward.” Matthew 25:31-46

Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Romans 2:5

Merely hearing God’s law is a waste of your time if you don’t do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God. Romans 2:13

For those who are sincere about their relationship with God:

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

But is accepting Jesus enough? In the Bible, Jesus says:

“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21

But to those who have a daily personal relationship with God, determined to live the way He wants us to live, you will hear Jesus say…

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:21

Nothing in this world compares to what God offers you through Jesus Christ.

This is God’s heart.

His desire is for us to live in a place of utopia – Garden of Eden, where we love one another, respect all creation, doing to others what we would have them do to us.

Imagine a world where everyone treated each other equally and respected each other. We can’t do it on our own, but by accepting Jesus as personal Saviour, not only are we transformed, it has effect on those around us.

This world was never meant to be dominated by selfishness, pollution and hatred.
Only by us accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us and our need for Him can we live with peace, love and multiplied blessings, regardless of our circumstances, just as God intended.

So now that you know this – is Heaven your destination? When you’re born again, you qualify for every blessing that Jesus has promised to those who believe.

Taste, and see that the Lord is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Please share this message and do your part to help advance the Kingdom of Heaven!

© Copyright 2013 Elaine Costin All Rights Reserved
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