Here is something to think about.

Do you consider yourself a "good person?"  I used to think that I was a good person.  Many people convince themselves that the answer to this question is "yes."  They really do think they are "good". Perhaps, as you read this, you are thinking the same thing.  After all, it's not like you are a murderer, right?  Proverbs 20:6 reads, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful Man?” You try to live by the "golden rule" right?  You may even think that you follow the 10 commandments.  But...are you really a good person?  Answer these questions in honesty before God and your conscience.  

In your life-time have you ever told a lie, even a small "white lie"?  What does that make you? If I told you a lie what would you call me, a Liar?  Have you ever stolen something, even something small? If you have, that makes you a thief.  Here’s one you may not have done. Have you ever murdered any one? Yet Jesus said in Matt. 5:22 "But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca’, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus said, “whosoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28)."    Have you ever lusted?  Have you ever hated someone? Do you have your own views on God?  That's called idolatry (Ezekiel 14:3) because you are making your own God.  Have you ever been greedy and coveted?   Have you ever used God's name as a swear word (e.g. "oh my G-d" or "J-sus C-rist" when you stub your toe)?  That's called blasphemy.  The first commandment says that "you shall have no other gods before me."  Jesus taught that this means that we should love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:34-40).  The Bible says that no one has done this (Psalms 14:2-3).

So after answering these questions honestly, you should be in the same predicament as the rest of us.  Like us, you are some combination of a lying, thieving, coveting, hating, self-righteous, idolater, and blasphemer at heart.  IF God judges you by the 10 commandments, do you think you would be innocent or guilty?  Do you think that you will go to heaven or hell? 
Perhaps like many today you think you are "guilty, but going to heaven" because God is love and you only need to ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus. It is true that God is Love and Forgiving, but God is also Holy and Just. Think of it this way, would you be happy with a judge who let a dangerous criminal go free without any punishment?  How can a Holy God let you go and still see that justice is done?  If you don't believe in God or heaven and hell, that doesn't really matter...If I don’t believe in stop signs, that doesn’t  means I won’t have a traffic accident or receive a ticket if I rum them.

Two more questions. 

1. Knowing that you have violated God's law (i.e. sinned), are you sure you know where you will go when you die? 1John 5: 12-13 says John wrote to us that we may know that we have the Son and having the Son, know that we have eternal life also.  
2. Does your answer to the first question concern you?  Continue reading.

Sin is universal among all people.  The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God "(Romans 3:23).  When we sin, we are rebelling against God, the very same God who gave us life and who continually sustains us.

The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). 

Do you understand what God has done for you in Jesus Christ?

 "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep" (1 Cor 15 3-6). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to Heaven on our own.  We need Jesus, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”

So again, how can a person have God's forgiveness, eternal life, and heaven? Acts 3:19 gives clear instruction, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

The way one receives this free gift is by grace through faith in the shed blood of The Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin. Repenting of our sin, turning to Christ for our righteousness God forgives us our sin, clothes us in His righteousness and seals us in His Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Repentance is a conscious act to turn away from sin and self and towards Jesus with surrender and obedience. You receive a new relationship to God, His Word and His people. Once I ran from God and hid in my sin now I run to Him confessing my sin and need for His forgiveness. Once I hated the things of God and His word now I can’t get enough and hunger for obedience. Once I persecuted the people of God and made fun of them now I long to be with them in worship.

You see salvation is a free Gift not something we earn. Because this gift is available to all that doesn’t make it automatic though. You must be willing to repent of your sin and turn to Christ! Romans 10:9-13 reads, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

So how can a sinful person have God's forgiveness, eternal life, and enter heaven?

Cry out to God for His spirit of repentance, turn from yourself and embrace all that Jesus has done for you on His cross. John 14:3 reads, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Jesus who can not lie promises us the forgiveness of sin, eternal life and heaven.

So, clearly understand what God has done for you in Jesus Christ now do you think you ought to have a talk with Him? I encourage you to do so before it is too late.

If you have prayed and received Jesus as your Lord and Savior please contact us and let someone know so we can rejoice with you in what God has done and pray for your continued growth in His Kingdom. We want to encourage you to find a bible believing church in your area and become apart of that body as soon as possible. Click here to contact us. Thank you for visiting our website and God’s Blessings for you and your family in your continued journey with God and His people. See you in Glory!