Steps To Heaven

The vast majority of people living today believe that there is another place beyond this world. There is. Don Piper experienced it.

In his book 90 Minutes in Heaven, Don made a decision to take a different route home from a church growth conference that he attended in 1989. It didn't seem like an important choice at the time, but it turned out to be one that changed his life. Waiting down an East Texas highway on his way back to Houston was a large truck that took his life.

In retrospect, the decision to take a different route might appear to be a crucial one. But the most important decision in Don's life occurred NOT on his drive home but when he accepted Christ as Lord at the age of sixteen. Deciding to accept Christ meant Don had an eternal home in Heaven no matter when he died. Acknowledging Christ as Savior guarantees that you will spend eternity with Him.

So, if Jesus is our Savior, what is He "saving" us from? He saves us from the consequences of our sin, which would not allow us into Heaven, but instead send us to death and Hell. The Bible says, "That the wages (the results, the price, the consequences) of sin is death." Romans 6:23. And those who die without Christ will sadly go to Hell. Hell is a lot of horrible things: fire, darkness, torment; but most importantly, it is eternal separation from God. Never being able to experience God is the most frightful aspect of Hell. And it is just as real as Heaven. There are actually more references to Hell in the Bible than to Heaven.

But thanks be to God ... through Christ's death on the cross, we can be saved from Hell and go to Heaven when we leave this world!

So, what must you do to be saved? Glad you asked that question. The Bible contains the answer.

Here is what God's Word has to say:

First, you must realize that our disobedience keeps us out of Heaven. Everyone at one time or another breaks God's laws (sins against Him). The Bible says,

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

But there is some Good News! God is Holy, and our sins cause us to be distanced from Him. We need to be reconciled; the gap must be bridged. Jesus is the bridge back to God. He died in our place and for our sins.

"God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

This salvation is a free gift. We'll never be "good" enough to earn it, but God is willing to give it to us anyway. That's called "grace." But like any gift, it has to be received. There is a giver (that's God) and a receiver (that's you).

Here's the biggest step you must take:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16:31

"If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

That means you must truly believe that Jesus is who He said He was: the Son of God … that He died on the cross for your sins (He had no sin, so He did not deserve to die.) You need to believe that He conquered death … that He rose from the grave and even now is completing Heaven for us.

This Good News has often been summed up in these important words from the Bible:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever (that's you) believes in Him should not perish (die), but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Heaven can be yours … eternal life with God in His Holy place, never-ending joy, freedom from pain, suffering, loneliness, tears, death, and sadness.

The gift is available just by accepting it. Prayer is talking to God, so it's time to pray. Here's an idea of what you might want to say to Him, but you can use your own words. It's a personal petition from you to God:

Dear God,
I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, and is alive today. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Help me to live a meaningful and purposeful life until You call me home to be with You in Heaven someday. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

And speaking of Heaven...the Bible says the angels rejoice when one is born into the kingdom of God. If you prayed this prayer, believing the words as you said them, the angels are singing your name right now! They're announcing that one day you will be coming to Glory to be with Jesus and all the others who have gone before us. Praise God, Heaven is yours!

There are some things you need to do here on earth until that glorious day when you go to be with the Lord in Heaven.

Tell others about your decision with your mouth and your life.

If you just got a new car wouldn't you want others to know about it? Then how much more should we want others to know about this life-changing decision? Share your faith, and live for Christ so that others may see Jesus in you. (In fact, e-mail us at saved@2012answers.com and share your decision with us.)

Get involved with a local body of believers, a church.

There is strength in the family of God: worshipping together, studying God's Word together, and serving others together. But remember, a church is composed of imperfect people. Even the most devoted congregations struggle with their own human weakness sometimes. Be patient as you search for a church and ask God to guide you.

• Get a Bible and read it faithfully.

• It is God's instruction book on this life and the one to come. It is filled with guidance, wisdom and wonderful truth.

• Pray each day.

• Talking with God is one of life's greatest privileges and joys. God created us for fellowship with Him. We get to know one another through conversation. Talking to God is a wonderful blessing.

Congratulations on your decision for Christ!

Jesus is who He said He was. He told His followers in John 14 as He approached His own death, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, you will be also. In my Father's House are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, you will be also. And you know where I am going and you know how to get there."

His follower Thomas replied, "But Lord, we don't know where you're going, and we don't know how to get there."

Jesus said, "I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life. No man comes unto the Father but through me.'

You now have an eternal home in Heaven someday because you know the Way! All paths do not lead to Heaven. Jesus leads to heaven.

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