{"id":161,"date":"2014-02-20T14:30:56","date_gmt":"2014-02-20T19:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/?page_id=161"},"modified":"2016-08-04T07:45:43","modified_gmt":"2016-08-04T11:45:43","slug":"how-do-i-get-to-heaven","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/how-do-i-get-to-heaven\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I get to heaven?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a great question and the Bible has the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible answers this question by showing us of our need to have a personal relationship<\/strong> with our Creator. \u00a0It isn’t just about having a ticket to heaven. \u00a0The greatest news of all is that our Creator wants to have a personal, loving relationship with every single person HE has created. \u00a0That means you and me. \u00a0HE proved HIS love by sending HIS only Son to pay our death penalty so that we could be brought into that personal, loving relationship with HIM by faith in HIS Son.<\/p>\n

Here is what the Bible says,\u00a0\u201cFor God<\/b> so loved the world, that He<\/b> gave His<\/b> only begotten Son<\/b> [Jesus<\/i>], that whosoever believes in Him<\/b> should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d (John 3:16)<\/span><\/p>\n

Romans 6:23b tells us, \u201cthe gift of God is eternal life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Jesus is that \u201cgift\u201d God gave to each of us so that we could be brought into that personal, loving relationship with HIM and enjoy eternal life.<\/p>\n

Our need for this gift is understood from Romans 3:23, \u201cFor all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0We also read in\u00a0Isaiah 59:2\u00a0\u201c<\/span>But your iniquities [sins<\/em>] have separated between you and your God<\/strong>, and your sins have hid His<\/strong> face from you,<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Romans 6:23a also tells us, \u201cThe wages of sin is death.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 We earn the payment of death because we all have sinned.\u00a0 This death speaks of eternal death in hell thus being separated from the holy God for eternity. This is our hopeless condition outside of Christ.<\/p>\n

Do these words from the Bible concern you about the reality of your sin? \u00a0It should. \u00a0The reality is that if you were to die in your guilty and sinful condition that you will receive the payment for your sin, which is eternal death being separated from the righteous and holy God for all eternity. \u00a0So what can be done?<\/p>\n

First, you must ACKNOWLEDGE\u00a0the reality of your sinful state and hopeless condition<\/strong>. \u00a0There is a need for repentance or a change of mind about your sin. You must see yourself as one who has fallen short of God’s glory by breaking His commandments thus deserving His judgment. Each of us must come to the conclusion that there is no hope in ourselves to bring about salvation.\u00a0The Bible tells us,\u00a0\u201cFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is<\/em> the gift of God<\/strong>: not of works, lest any man should boast.\u201d (Ephesians 2:8-9)<\/span><\/p>\n

Because you and I have sinned, we have fallen short of God\u2019s perfect standard of righteousness thus we need His precious gift of His Son of righteousness.\u00a0 The reality of God\u2019s love is that He sent His Son to pay the consequence of our sin (death) in our place.\u00a0\u201cBut God<\/b> commends [proved<\/i>] His<\/b> love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ <\/b>died for us.\u201d\u00a0 (Romans 5:8)\u00a0<\/span>God proved His amazing love for us as Christ died in our place, He was buried, and rose again victorious over death.\u00a0 On the cross He paid for all of your sins as well as mine.<\/p>\n

The Bible continues to show the heart of God as we read,\u00a0\u201cFor this is<\/i> good and acceptable in the sight of God<\/b> our Savior<\/b>; Who<\/b> will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.\u201d\u00a0(1 Timothy 2:3-4)\u00a0<\/span>This is God\u2019s will\u2014this is His desire for each and every one of us and He has provided the way for us all.<\/p>\n

Second, you must BELIEVE\u00a0on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only<\/em>\u00a0way of salvation<\/strong>. \u00a0The Bible tells us,\u00a0\u201cFor He<\/strong> [Jesus<\/em>] hath made Him<\/strong> to be<\/em> sin for us, Who<\/strong> knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God<\/strong> in Him<\/strong>.\u201d (2 Corinthians 5:21)\u00a0<\/span>The awe and wonder of this Gift of God is that through the death of Christ, He was seen by God just as we are so that we could be seen by God just as He is.\u00a0The reality is that too often this gift is left untouched\u2014it is left unopened and therefore never enjoyed. \u00a0This is done by refusing<\/em> to believe\u00a0that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Receive and open the gift by believing that Jesus\u00a0Christ is the only way to eternal life.\u00a0\u201cJesus<\/strong> saith unto him, I<\/strong> am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father<\/strong>, but by Me<\/strong>.” (John 14:6)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Paul responded to the Philippian jailer when asked, \u201cWhat must I do to be saved?\u201d said,\u00a0\u201cBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ<\/b>, and thou shalt be saved.\u201d (Acts 16:31)\u00a0<\/span>In the Gospel of John we read,\u00a0\u201cBut as many as received Him [Jesus]<\/strong>, to them gave He<\/strong> power to become the sons of God<\/strong>, even to them that believe on His<\/strong> name:\u201d (John 1:12)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take God at HIS Word and believe it to be true.<\/p>\n

Third, you must CALL\u00a0upon the Lord Jesus Christ receiving HIS free gift of salvation.<\/strong> In Romans 10:13 we further read, \u201cFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord<\/b> shall be saved.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 It is encouraging how adamant the Word of God is\u2014\u201c\u2026SHALL\u00a0be saved.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 This should give us great confidence as we understand that God \u201ccannot lie\u201d<\/span> (Titus 1:2), He is faithful to keep ALL of His promises.<\/p>\n

So as you consider these words it is important that you \u201cexamine yourself, whether ye be in the faith\u201d<\/span> (2 Corinthians 13:5).\u00a0 If you are, praise the Lord! Live for Him in obedience being fully surrendered to Him.<\/p>\n

If you are\u00a0not then ADMIT\u00a0that you are a sinner, BELIEVE\u00a0on the Lord Jesus Christ that what the Bible says is true, and CALL\u00a0upon Him to save you. The Bible says,\u00a0\u201cThat if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus<\/strong>, and shalt believe in thine heart that God<\/strong> hath raised Him<\/strong> from the dead, thou shalt be saved.\u00a0For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.\u201d (Romans 10:9-10)<\/span><\/p>\n

Salvation is ONLY\u00a0of God!\u00a0 Our efforts only bring us death, but God\u2019s gift brings\u00a0eternal life. The wonderful reality is that through faith in Christ’s finished work<\/em> upon the cross a person who previously fell short of God’s standard of righteousness now can enjoy right standing with his Creator. His penalty of sin has been removed and the righteousness of Christ has been placed upon him. Now when God looks upon them He sees the righteousness of His own Son instead of the wretchedness of a condemned soul.\u00a0Today is the day of salvation!<\/strong>\u00a0 Please don\u2019t wait another moment.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions or if you have just trusted Christ and received Him as your personal Savior I would like to hear from you!\u00a0 Please email me at pastor@pibcny.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Please consider listening to the Gospel message: Luke 2:7 \u2013 \u201cNo Room\u201d \u2013 Outline<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(pdf) \u2013\u00a0Is there any room for JESUS?<\/strong>\u00a0The innkeeper illustrates for us the world in which we live, having\u00a0no room<\/em>\u00a0for the Savior. Other things come first as we are already filled with other demands and desires. Much of the world has\u00a0no room<\/em>\u00a0for Christ because they see\u00a0no need<\/em>\u00a0for Him. Other things have come first\u2014other things crowd Him out.\u00a0For the believer, often we can live lives to full of other things than Christ. Often our lives are consumed with other gifts that pale in comparison to this greatest GIFT.<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/2015-12-24-Luke-2_7-No-Room.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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