HOW TO GET TO HEAVENYOU CAN CHANGE...YOUR POSITION WITH GOD
What is your position with God? Good, bad, or in between?
Take a moment to understand your position with God and how you can change it!
1. Understand that God is holy and perfect and demands holiness and perfection.
Psalm 7:9, 11, “…For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Because God is all righteousness, He cannot condone or allow unrighteousness. He cannot lessen His character. God cannot allow sin or sinfulness in heaven, because then it would no longer be a holy and perfect place, and it wound not be heaven. Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you…”
2. Understand that you are sinful by human nature and by choice.
Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” All of us choose to disobey God’s laws (ten commandments, etc.) Even a wrong thought is sin, and all sin is against God because He created us and we are accountable to Him. Have you ever disobeyed an authority in your life or had a bad thought towards someone? God calls this sin, and you and I are guilty.
3. Understand that God’s justice requires payment for sin (wrong doing).
Romans 5:12 (see verse above); Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Example: Everyone caught shoplifting must pay the appropriate penalty in their particular jurisdiction. Every murderer who is caught must also pay the penalty in their particular jurisdiction.
As we are God’s creation, live on His earth, and breathe His air, we have been charged with the appropriate penalty for our own sin, which the Bible says deserves death. This death is described in the Bible as the second death, which is Hell or the lake of fire – eternal separation from God. (But your position before God can be changed.)
4. Realize Jesus completely paid your sin debt! Your position before God can be restored and made right.
Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” II Cor. 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Because Jesus Christ, being the Son of God, was perfect and sinless on earth, He was able to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. In other words, Jesus was qualified to die on the cross and shed His blood and pay the sin penalty for all mankind. The good news is that the penalty for YOUR sin has been paid and your poor standing with God can be changed.
5. Realize that your position with God can be made right by simply changing your mind from not believing to believing in Jesus.
The Bible calls this repentance. Until your heart and mind is changed to believing in Jesus Christ, God’s position towards you is rejection. (Remember God is holy and just, and you are sinful.) John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” So, realize that you have this great opportunity to change directions – from not believing to believing.
Just believe on Him in your heart and ask Him to save you. Your position with God is changed from rejection to acceptance. Your sin debt is cleared because you believed on the only one who could pay the price. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Your position with God cannot be helped by: 1. your good works outweighing your bad works, 2. being a good, moral person, 3. attending church and being religious. Ephesians 2:8, 9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Now, Decide to accept Jesus Christ by believing on Him. John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Very simply, say something like this in prayer to God…”Dear Jesus, I understand that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my wrong doing. I trust in You and Your payment of death and shed blood for my own life. I receive you into my heart today; please save me. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul. Amen.” Now, you have just asked Jesus into your heart, and I congratulate you! The Bible calls this salvation.
