Heaven

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but those that do the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and in Your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you workers of iniquity.”

This is a most profound scripture that we, quite honestly, do not meditate upon often enough. Christ Himself makes the declaration that there will be individuals that really believe that they are going to heaven, but they are not. There are people who are living today that seriously believe that they and God are alright, but they will never see the portals of heaven. The question that must be asked is “How do I avoid being deceived?” “How do I avoid being in the number that think that they are destined for heaven, but are really destined for hell?” What is the biblical proof in my life that shows that my name really is written in the Lamb’s book of life signifying my eternity is destined with Jesus Christ? How can I know for sure that I am a Christian?

Some people think that they are a Christian because they are basically a good person. But God’s word says in Romans 3:20 that no one can be justified by works. Or in other words we can’t be good enough to earn the right to go to heaven. And while salvation, the right to go to heaven, can’t be earned – it is a gift (Romans 6:23). A gift cannot be earned, it can only be received.

Someone else may say that “I am a Christian because I believe there is a God.” The devil believes there is a God. So did the Jewish leaders who Christ condemned in John 8:41-44. Obviously, this does not guarantee my entrance into heaven.

And of course there are those who say that “I am a Christian because I attend church and pray.”

Attending church and praying are and should be done, but they are not prerequisites to being a Christian. You will attend church and pray because you are a Christian, not to become a Christian. Look a John 3:16, the most succinct declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” There is nothing in these words about praying regularly or attending church.

So if being a good person or believing in God, or going to church and praying doesn’t make me a Christian, what is the biblical evidence that I am going to go to heaven?

First, I must have a repentant spirit. This means three things 1) that I admit that I am a sinner and I am sorry that I have sinned against my Creator who loves me and has provided for me. I have a spirit of regret over my sins and I am apologetic to Jesus Christ for my many spiritual mistakes (Acts 2:38). 2) I acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for my sins and was raised from the dead so that I might be saved (Romans 10:9-10). I understand that Christ alone is my way out of the trap that I find myself in – He alone is my remedy. And 3) I am willing to make Jesus Christ Lord of my life. I am willing to commit my life to follow Jesus. It is imperative that all three of these truths be evident in my life. For Satan himself knows that he is wrong and he knows that Jesus Christ is the answer to every sin problem. However, Satan is not willing to make Jesus Lord over his life. If we only attain the first two of these revelations without making Jesus Lord of our lives, then we are no better off than the devil himself.

Second, I must have the assurance of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:16). The Holy Spirit is a counselor, a revealer, a sealer, a guide, a companion and so much more. The Holy Spirit gets excited about the things of God. It is He, the person of The Holy Spirit that orders our steps, that won’t let us go our own way indefinitely. It is Him that leads us to the truth of Jesus Christ and holds us accountable to the same.

Third, I am experiencing positive spiritual changes in my attitudes and actions (1John 2:29). The power of The Holy Spirit dwelling within us is that He will not allow us to stay the same. He will cause us to continue to grow in Christian maturity.

If you find that all three of these truths are not working in your life, I encourage you to pray the prayer of salvation, to ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be Lord over your life. This question is so important and one that you cannot afford to get wrong. No matter whom you are or what you have done, this is your opportunity to get the most important thing you can ever do, to get it right.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to The Father, but by me.” I encourage you to receive the gift of Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him, making Him Lord. As a result, you will never have to wonder whether you are going to go to heaven, ever again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”