Many in the world claim Jesus as Lord and believe that they are going to heaven without a doubt. They are taught that all they have to do is just believe. Does this mean that we are guaranteed heaven? Absolutely not! “...the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19. Simply believing in God is not going to guarantee anyone heaven. Believing in God is only the first step (Justified through faith - Romans 5:1) to a long and narrow road to heaven. This so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from their obligation in obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. "By grace are ye saved through faith" Ephesians 2:8. But "faith, if it hath not works, is dead" James 2:17. True faith in God is obedience to His commandments. Keeping the Law of God is a fruit for the true Christian in how we can be seen to the world as we reflect the Character of Christ that is unchangeable. Malachi 3:6. Jesus Himself said before He came to earth, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart". Psalm 40:8. And just before He ascended again to heaven, He declare, "I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" John 15:10. The Scriptures says, "Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments". 1 John 2:3.
The condition for eternal life is now just what it always has been, just as it was in Paradise, just as it was in the Garden of Eden before the fall of Adam and Eve. There was perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness and perfect harmony. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be no more. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery as it is here on earth today. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the Word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of Christ's perfect character that we find in the law that we are to reflect, and the more fully we shall reflect His image. For Christ left us an example to follow. 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”
It is a lifetime of work to become Christlike, to have the old self, our old nature of sinning against God purged from us. All the dross needs to be removed, and Christ will do that if we cooperate. Matthew 3:12, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” What is sin? 1 John 3:4,“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” The law brings us to Christ. The law shows us our need of a Saviour. The law shows us how sinful we are. "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Galatians 3:24-25. Once we perfect the law, establish true faith, then we don't need the law because the law is onlyused to govern us and where it shows us our sinful natures that need to be corrected. Once you stop sinning through the grace of God provided for you, then you don't need the law because you have overcome your old sinful nature which the law brought to your attention. We are called to turn to the law so we can see our sinfulness, look to Christ, look to the cross of Calvary which will crush us, where we can see that the wages of sin is death and that we must repent from sinning against God. Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The gift of God is eternal life, living no more in sin, living in perfect heavenly bliss. Let me ask you this... Have you ever PAID someone for a gift they gave you? Have you ever had to WORK for a gift? Of course not! It wouldn't be a GIFT if you had to work or pay for it, correct? Salvation is a gift mainly because the Father knows there is nothing we can say or do that would be enough to pay for eternal life in His Kingdom. Our sins have separated us from God the Father. This gap can only be filled through His Son, Jesus. No matter how good you think you are, no matter how much you try not to sin, Isaiah 64:6, bluntly states that, "...all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags... " Even if we tried, we have nothing but filthy rags at best to offer the Father in Heaven as payment for Salvation. The wonderful truth about this is.. HE KNOWS THIS! So, because He is such a loving Father, He chooses to GIVE it to you, if you simply do one thing.
Ask for it... Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."Acts 2:21, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." When Jesus died on the cross, He paid your penalty for sins you committed. The "wages" of sin = DEATH! Jesus paid that price so YOU wouldn't have to die for the sins you committed if you would only repent, turn to Him, confess your sins, forsake them as well and strive to not sin anymore. Proverbs 24:16, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." Fight for righteousness, fight for Christ, fight for heaven and strive to obey God's law so you gain perfect faith in Him by doing this. Christ died in your place so give back to Him all that you can through your loving obedience as a faithful child of GOD is called to do! God offers you eternal life in heaven.That's a wonderful gift where there will be no more death, sickness, pains, sorrows, crying, killing, hate, etc! Revelation 21:4. All Christ requires is that you believe, have true faith, and ask Him to count His death as payment for yours. All you need to do is ASK and you can complete this part of the process towards heaven. 2 Corinthians 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." Fact is, Jesus paid the price for all sin, but that does not mean we continue in sin, but rather we war against sinning, war against the flesh. Romans 6:15-16, What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" And when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on that cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death as well! We are bought with a price, and that price was HIS LIFE!
1 Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us. Understanding as well that we are now joined with Him, and that He is the controlling factor in our life from this day forward. And we gladly and gratefully allow Him to guide us to righteousness in keeping that very law He kept. He truly loved us and gave Himself for us and so,we should give our life to Him so He can work in us His loving Character that we find in the ten commandments!
Every day is a battle and a march to the city of God. On every side, we are surrounded by invisible foes who work hard in trying to get the human family to commit sin against their Creator. They are leading the world down the same destructive path to hell in sinning against God as they are on. As Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven for rebelling against the law of God, no human family will enter there who chooseto continue in sin. Revelation 12:9; 22:14. "And for us we are either going to conquer through the grace of God (the time we have to repent and turn from our sins), or we are going to be conquered, overtaken by sin which has separate us from God. Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Iniquity is sin, and sin is breaking the law of God. If we choose to not turn to the knowledge of truth, then the sacrifice that Christ left for us will be no more. Hebrews 10:26-27, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23.
So then, how do we know that we are on the right path, following the right Jesus? We are in the latter times, the end of all things isat hand. The signs of the time are clear to most people that the world is coming to a close. The question now remains, which side are we on, which path are we headed on? Are we on the path to righteousness in obedience to the law and keeping the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12) or are we on the broad way to hell in disobedience while professing Christ Lord?We can surely know which way to heaven is, for the Word of God is true and faithful. Christ warns us of what will happen in the end times in Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” How can we know of these great deceivers, teachers of Satan who are trying to stop us from gaining heaven? "We shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16. There fruits will work against the law of God and faith in Jesus. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. Those who preach against the law are preaching against the Lord who said, if you love me keep my commandments and live. John 14:15; Matthew 19:17. Those who claim the law is no longer needed are working for Satan who is the author and father of lies, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
One thing that we must understand is there are two roads in this world. The right one is the way to heaven; the other is the way to hell where “the soul that sinneth, it shall die". Ezekiel 18:4. What must we do in order to make it to heaven? What must we do to be saved? The answer is found in the Word of God and through our Lord Jesus Christ. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And anyone who tries to enter in through another way, through another gospel is a thief. John 10:1-5, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."
The way to heaven is through Christ who is the front door where He calls us to. Christ is righteous as we are to be.If we expect to enter in the straight way,thenwe should follow the Lord on the path He has set before us. The path of Christ is Righteousness which is found in the law. The law is true love. Christ said, "unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Jesus summarized the last six) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40.
Think about how we as humans show love to one another by keeping The Law of God (Exodus 20:1-17)…
Do you show love when you don't honor your mother or father?
Do you show love when you kill your fellow man?
Do you show love when you commit adultery against your spouse?
Do you show love when you steal from your fellow man?
Do you show love when you bear false witness against your fellow man?
Do you show love when you covet your neighbors wife or anything else that belongs to Him?
If you as a Christian realize that in order to show love for your fellow man, you must keep all of the last six commandments that Jesus summarized as the "second commandment" in Matthew 22:39. Can you not also see as a Christian that to show love unto God is to keep the first four commandments that Jesus summarized in Matthew 22:37,38?
So, I ask you,
Do you show love for the Lord when you place another god before Him?
Do you show love for the Lord when you bow down before an image?
Do you show love for the Lord when you take His name in vain?
Do you really love Him when you break His Sabbath that He specifically said was the seventh day (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), and He specifically said to REMEMBER it? What we also need to understand about this is that when God blesses something like He did with His Seventh Day Sabbath, then no man can change it! Numbers 23:20. The Sabbath is not just for the Jews, it is not just for the physical nation Israel, but it is for ALL who profess and claim Jesus as Lord over their life.
I ask those that break His law knowingly and choose to keep SUNday, hence the day of the SUN, Why is it that you can so easily show love for each other, but when you are asked to show love to God, it’s impossible? The REAL Christian will not only keep all ten of the commandments, including His Seventh Day Sabbath that the Vatican changed ("Sunday is our MARK of authority. . .the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact" Catholic Record of London, Ontario Sept 1,1923. ), but the REAL Christian will go beyond keeping the 10 commandments because of their love for Jesus! Case in point, Jesus said in Matthew 5:40-41, "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."
Love always gives more than whatis required without looking upon it as a burden. 1 John 5:3 said, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." God is not FORCING us to love each other or Him. It's more like He is stating that we WILL love our fellow man more than the norm simply because Christ's love will be apparent within us.
The true Christian will go the extra mile simply because their love compels them to do so. They do so with a joyful heart, a heart that won't grumble or complain while going the extra mile simply because they feel that their fellow man needs them to, and in Christian love, they are compelled to show this love. We should go far beyond that which is written. For example, the Law states thou shalt not commitadultery. But Jesus illustrates how much more the true Christian love will abound for Him and His truth by saying "...That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:28.
Jesus shows that the true Christian will go far beyond the written letter of the law. Love will always raise the standard. The Christian not only keeps the Ten Commandments. He or she will also go so far as to not even THINK on those things within the heart that are against the Law of their God. We do this because we love Him and want to please Him with all our hearts! We don’t do this because we don't want to burn in Hell. Christianity isn’t fire insurance! Thoughts like this don't even come to the mind of the true child of God. It truly is a labor of love.
So... you ask, how do I get saved?
Many are asking this same question today as did the thousands on the day of Pentecost after they were convicted of sin by the sermons preached that day. They cried out loud; "What shall we do?" Peter answered and declared; "Repent" (Acts 2:37-38.)
Repentance is a MUST for all of us to enter into the kingdom of God! If we choose to not turn from our sins and repent, strive to keep the law, your sins will never be forgiven, and then you must die for them since you won't trust Christ who paid the penalty of death for you at the cross. Proverbs 29:1 says, "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
If the human family keeps ignoring the Lord, hardens their heart, everyone who chooses to repent not will eventually die in the day of Judgment, in the flames of hell and be destroyed forever. Everyone needs to get serious about this topic because no one knows for sure when they shall die. So, I ask... are you POSITIVE you will not die in a car wreck, plain crash? Are you positive you will not have a heart attack tomorrow or a stroke next week? How about slip and hit your head? Get hit by a stray bullet? Are you 100% positive you WILL wake up tomorrow morning? Now be honest with yourself. It's your life we're talking about here. Your life can end at any given time, die just as suddenly and unexpectedly as many have died before. Your choices today will affect you tomorrow. Luke 13:2-5, "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Luke shared with us that Jesus spoke of some Galileanswhodied very suddenly back then. Everyone thought at that time that they were great sinners because of their sudden deaths. This was a common belief among the people back then that if disease or sudden tragedy came upon someone, they were guilty of some great sin. However, Jesus said that we should be more mindful of our own lives, because we can die just as suddenly as did they! Therefore… we need to repent NOW and turn to the Saviour and not trample upon His grace that He is giving to us! We are in the hour of our Lord's grace, and now is the time to get right with God and turn from sinning against Him in breaking His law any longer. Today is the day of salvation!
How often do we hear of strange accidents, earthquakes, or where large numbers of people die suddenly in one day like we all saw in 9/11? Do you suppose they KNEW they would die that day? Do you suppose that before they left their homes they decided to ask the wife or husband, mom or dad for their best clothes to be laid out for them because today is the day they shall die? NONE OF US can say we won’t die today! Life is fragile and the times that we are living in is short! So why chance it!?Time is running out and we all have a heaven to gain.
With a reality check like this, some do finally come to the realization that salvation is NOT only for the old and sick like they always thought. Everyday, the fact of life is that many young people die too. We are all sinners, and we all need a Saviour! Sinners are destined to die as the cross says. Christ took the sins of the world and then died. As we will take our own sins if we don't turn to Christ in obedience in true faith and repent from sinning against Him who gave His life for us and who will free us from our bondage to sin and Satan. If we have no one that will take our place in death for us, then we will all perish in our own sins. If we have no Saviour, then they must be the ones to die because we have all fallen short (Romans 3:23), but if we turn to Christ, cry out to Him for mercy and forgiveness, confess our sins, forsake them, turn away from breaking the law then God is just to forgive us and we should stand forever in favor with God. Strive to obey the law, gain perfect faith in Him, overcome our defects of character, become Christlike and we shall do good. Revelation 22:14, "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Do all that you can to strive for heaven in keeping the law of God, prove your love to Him as He has done for you. Walk as Christ walked, become Christlike and repent from sinning against God any longer. Love Him by obeying His law and you shall keep the faith of Jesus. Go the extra mile and don't even think about sinning, allow not a single thought. Strive and fight to do this and Christ will help you. If you don't fight, if you don't strive, then what reward will you receive? DEATH! Continue not in sin and overcoming daily. Die daily and give all to Christ. Go to Him in faith, obey, be sanctified through His Word and heaven shall be your reward at the second coming of Christ. If you willingly break the law of God that is of the enemy then you are working for a corruptible crown, but if you stumble into sin, fall into sin, get down and ask for forgiveness to fight again and overcome through the power of Christ provided for you then we shall all do well and gain heaven. You will be tested; you will have trials you will need to overcome and prove yourloyalty to God. You cannot serve two masters and think heaven is your gain. The road to heaven is not easy. It is the short and narrow road to victory. In short, in order to gain heaven, the Word of God says, "here are the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.