Some people think that a person can get to heaven by living a good life.
You can't.

Others think they can get to heaven by going to church.
That doesn't do it either.

Many people believe that by being "religious" they can get to heaven.
It doesn't work that way.

”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” --Eph 2:8-9

“We…know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.” --Gal 2:16

“Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” --Romans 3:27-28

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” --Rom 3:21

(See also Romans 4; 9:32)

 

It isn't about what you can do to be near to God.
It is about what God has done to be near to you.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” --Romans 5:6-8

 

God wants all people on earth to become His children.

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” --1 Tim 2:3-4

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” --2 Peter 3:9

 

But the problem is this:
We are all imperfect, and within each of us we have a strong desire to do the wrong thing.

The Bible calls this sin.
Our sin separates us from God.
It is like a wall or a barrier.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” --Romans 3:23

“When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” --James 1:13-15

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” --Romans 6:23

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” --1 John 1:8

 

God provided the solution to our situation through Jesus.

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” --John 3:16

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead." --Eph 2:4-5

 

Jesus was not just a "good person" or a "holy man."
He claimed to be the Son of God.
He claimed He could forgive people's sins - people's sins against God.

Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” --John 10:30

“And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'? "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home."  And he got up and went home.” --Matt 9:2-7

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” --1 Peter 3:18

 

Either He was right, and He is the Son of God,
or He was wrong and He should not be trusted.
You have to decide for yourself.

Jesus willingly gave His life and was murdered on a cross.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” --Mark 10:45

“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” --John 10:17-18

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” --1 John 3:16

 

But death could not contain Him.

After three days God raised Him from the dead.
His death and resurrection paid the penalty for our sins.
He conquered death and tore down the wall of sin.

“I passed on to you what was most important… that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles.  After that, he was seen by more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now.” --1 Cor 15:3-6

“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” --2 Tim 1:9-10

(See also John chapter 20)

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” --1 John 1:7

 

But we must believe and accept this free gift from Him.

“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” --Romans 10:9

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." --Romans 5:1-2

 

His free gift requires that you give your life to Him and become His child.
Each person must decide what he or she will do.
It is not an easy decision, but He will help you make it if you are willing.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. --John 14:6

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” --Luke 9:23-24

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” --John 1:12

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” --Romans 8:38-39

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