Are You Going To Heaven?

                In 38 years of asking that question, I have rarely heard anyone say, "Yes, I know that for sure."  The answers I usually hear are:  "I hope so", "If I have been good enough", "If God finds me worthy."  Most of these answers came from religious people who believed in God. Of course the messages spoken at funeral homes imply that everyone is going to make it to heaven.  I wish that was the case. But even a casual study of the Bible shows that this is not true.  Who can be sure of their place in heaven when this life is over?

 

Wishful Thinking:

                Wishful thinking is hoping for something good, but not having assurance that it is absolutely a sure thing. Wishful thinking  often implies a lack of preparation necessary to make what is hoped for a reality.   Wishful thinking might be okay when watching your favorite team play in the Superbowl, but is it good enough when it comes to where you will spend eternity when your life on Earth is finished?  Is wishing, but not knowing for sure if you will go to heaven enough for you.  Jesus told the story of a prosperous man, planning for his future on this Earth.   But, He was giving no attention to what he should have been doing to prepare for eternity. He was called a "fool."

 

Luk 12:16-21 KJV  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:   And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?   And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

Biblical Faith:

                Someone might say, the above answers merely show humility and a recognition of the person's complete dependence on God.  This is good.  But, it is only a step in the right direction. We are all unworthy and undeserving of God's Mercy, but we are not all going to heaven.  Only those who humble themselves in the sight of God and submit themselves to His plan of faith have any hope or assurance of salvation.  We must be real disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ.  How to be disciples is clearly laid out in the Bible.  How much time and effort have we spend in preparing for eternity??

                Biblical Faith is believing, trusting and obeying the Words of Jesus.  "Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17) With real faith comes the assurance that God will keep His promises to save us.  God never lies. But he also never promises salvation to those who ignore Him and refuse to take the time to seek His will in their lives.  The Bible says you can KNOW if you are going to heaven OR NOT.

 

Are you a REAL disciple of Jesus?

Joh 8:31-32 KJV  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

Are you prepared for the day you leave this Earth?

Mat 16:24-26 KJV  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  (26)  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Are you sure you are among those Jesus promises to come back and take home with Him?

Joh 14:1-3 KJV  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

Have Questions? Want Bible Answers You Can Trust For Eternity? Are You Going To Heaven?

For further study contact Robert  724-681-2724.  tarentumchurchofchrist.com