AM I GOING TO HEAVEN? (take this exam)

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If you’re not sure whether you are going to heaven when you die, take this simple exam to determine with certainty. 

On a scrap piece of paper, jot down the correct numbers or 1 through 13 representing answer(s) to the following question:

How do I ensure I get to Heaven?

  1. By obeying God’s Law and Commandments
  2. By doing my best and treating others “right”.
  3. By living a good life.
  4. By doing good works (serving others, helping folks in need, etc.).
  5. By trying to obey the “Golden Rule” (treat others as you want to be treated).
  6. By tithing or giving money to the church.
  7. By church membership (that is, belonging to or becoming a member of a church)
  8. By praying to God.
  9. By being water-baptized.
  10. By partaking in Holy Communion.
  11. By being born of “Christian” parents.
  12. By confirmation.
  13. By penance.

Which number or numbers did you choose? 

If you chose any of the 13 answers listed, you have failed the exam.  Salvation is not found in even one of those answers stated!

Don’t feel bad, many—or even—most people fail this exam.  Most of the points listed have to do with “religion”.  And religion is nothing more than a man-made attempt to reach God.  This is not God’s design.

The real answer for you to get to heaven IS NOT found in a religious system, a denomination, by man’s self-righteousness or even doing good deeds to be accepted by God.  See what the bible says:

Romans 3:10  

“As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one:”

 

Romans 3:23  

“For ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God;”

ALL mankind has sinned.  And sin keeps man out of God’s Heaven. 

God’s Word teaches that sin is a grave matter.  If a man is a sinner, then his name will not be written in the Book of Life; thus, he will not inherit the Heavenly kingdom of God, but reap everlasting destruction in the lake of fire.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 

“Know ye not that the UNRIGHTEOUS (sinners) SHALL NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters (worshiper of idols and not God), nor adulterers (sex outside of the marriage bed), nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Revelation 20:15 

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

2 Thessalonians 1:9 

“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

I wouldn't want to go to Hell, then the Lake of Fire.  Would you?

THE SOLUTION:

Well, what can you do about your sin problem?  Can you clean up your life by doing good works in hopes that in the end, your good works outweigh your bad?  NO!

Salvation does not come to those who work for it, but only through the cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s not what you have done that matters, but what He has done for you!

Salvation is the gift of God, given freely to those who cease from trusting in their own self-righteous “good works” and place their faith and trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as payment for their sins.

Romans 4:5 

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him (Jesus Christ) that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

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.”

To be clear, the issue IS NOT what you can do for God, but what He HAS done for you.

Romans 5:8 

“But God commendeth (proved, demonstrated) HIS LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Even while you and I were dirty, rotten sinners, God showed His love TO US by sending His sinless Son to the cross to die in our place to satisfy the justice of God.  The innocent died for the guilty!

You have one of two choices now:

You can REJECT God’s free gift of salvation by denying what His Son has done for you—that He bled and died for your sins.  

Or you can ACCEPT—that is, trust and rest in the fact that THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN is to trust that God came down to earth, in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who had no sin, but came in the likeness of sinful man.  And He loved you so much, knowing you before you were even born, and gave His life FOR YOU as payment for YOUR SINS, by dying on the cross of Calvary and was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

If you trust that He has done this for you, you NOW have eternal life as a present possession and a place in heaven when you die (Ephesians 1:13-14).

What was your decision?  Please leave me a comment or private email me at shortbiblestudy@gmail.com. 

I’d love to hear your decision.

Be blessed!

Brother Michael Huotari

Ideas for this exam are partly from a free tract provided by the church I attend.

 

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