How--Is the Question

I’m sure people everywhere are asking the question, “How can I make it into heaven when I die?”  Sadly, many people are led to believe that salvation comes through their own works—by doing God’s bidding, being a good person, or living by the principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” commonly known as the Golden Rule.

These are admirable principles that encourage kindness and compassion.  Kindness is good and necessary.  However, when people believe their good deeds earn them a place in heaven, they are led into the false belief that they deserve the credit for their salvation.  The mindset becomes, “It’s all up to me.”

Scripture teaches otherwise.  No matter how righteous we may think we are, our own goodness can never make us acceptable before a holy God.  Our self-righteousness is like filthy rags, and apart from God’s grace; none of us can stand before Him. 

People often see only what they want to see and believe what they want to believe, viewing spiritual truth through rose-colored glasses.  It’s like a traveler wearing tinted glasses.  The truth may be standing plainly before them, but their own assumptions color everything they look at.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

There has only been one perfect man to walk this earth—Jesus Christ.  He, and He alone, is the way to God, the Creator of all things.

One of the key emphases of this writing is found in its title: How.  The other, and even more important emphasis, is grace.  Were it not for God’s amazing grace, a wretch like me could never enter heaven.

I was not merely a person who committed a few sins while balancing them with good deeds.  Like every other human being, I inherited a sinful nature from my ancestors, Adam and Eve.  Their disobedience in the Garden of Eden brought sin into the world, and all humanity inherited what is often called the Adamic nature.  Because of that fallen nature, we are imperfect and separated from God.

We need a Savior—Someone who could make a way where there seemed to be no way.  Jesus Christ is that one and only Savior.  He paid the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross for you, for me, and for all mankind.  Through His death and resurrection, He made reconciliation with God possible for everyone who believes in Him.

So, how do I make it into heaven when I die?  The answer is simple: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

As Jesus said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd