Final Week

^{Final Week}

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   Two Diagnostic Questions

Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in heaven someday? If God asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven," what would you say? I have really good news for you! May I share with you how I know for sure I'm going to heaven and how you can know this, too?

    Heaven - Heaven is a free gift. It is not something we can work for or deserve. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) The Bible also says, “For by grace you have been saved by faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

    Man - Man is a sinner and can’t earn his way to heaven. What is sin? Sin is anything that we think, say, do, or don’t do, that does not please God. The Bible says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23) The Bible also says, “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Trying to be good enough to get to heaven would be like trying to bake chocolate chip cookies with a rotten egg. Even if the flour, sugar, and chocolate chips are good, one rotten egg ruins all the cookies. In God’s eyes, even one sin is enough to ruin all the good we do. Do you see why we cannot save ourselves? There must be a different way!

    God - God is loving, but God is also just. The Bible says, “God is love;” (1 John 4:8b), but the Bible also says, “(He) will not excuse the guilty.” (Exodus 34:7b) On the one hand, God loves us and doesn’t want to punish us, but on the other hand, God is just and must punish sin. Do you see the problem? God solved the problem by sending his son, Jesus.

    Jesus - Jesus is God. He came from heaven to earth. He lived a perfect life. He died on the cross and rose from the dead, to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in heaven for us. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) All of our sins, which God hates, have been placed on Jesus who took the punishment for our sins on the cross. Now that our sins have been paid for, you can be with God. And best of all, God offers heaven - eternal life - to you and me as a free gift. How do we get this gift? By faith!

    Faith - Saving faith is not just knowing about God in your head. Saving faith is not just temporary. Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our eternal life and inviting Him into your heart. What are you trusting in to save you? Jesus is the only one who can save you. He is the way, the truth, and the life! Are you going to trust in yourself and your good works to get you into heaven? Or are you going to trust in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross? Saving faith is placing your trust in Jesus Christ ALONE to receive the gift of eternal life. Does all this make sense to you?

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