I Want To Go To Heaven. How Must I Live In Order To Go To Heaven?
The first step to going to Heaven is to receive the gift of Salvation…which is received by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and by repenting of one’s past and present sins. For more on receiving the gift of Salvation, see these articles: Next, after receiving the gift of Salvation by believing and repenting, one should seek to grow and develop in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That is, one should first pray that the Lord sanctify them…sanctification being the work where the Lord changes one’s interests, desires, activities, agenda, and direction…the transformation from “forgiven and saved sinner” to “saint of God”. After sanctification, one should then pray to receive the Holy Ghost. After receiving the Holy Ghost, one should pray to receive the Gifts of the Spirit that God has for them. For more on this spiritual development process, see this article: Up to this point, I have been speaking about the “spiritual” aspect of going to Heaven. But, there is another aspect. In addition to the “spiritual” aspect of going to Heaven, there is also the “natural” aspect of going to Heaven. What is the “natural” aspect? It is the way a saved Christian LIVES their life and CONDUCTS their self. In short, the proper Christian way to live and conduct one’s self is to no longer live a life of sinfulness and to instead live a life of righteousness that is pleasing before God. That makes sense…but at the same time, that is a bit ambiguous…so let’s clarify these two items: 1. What do we stop doing so that we are no longer sinning? And… 2. What do we do to live righteous and pleasing before God? Well, the answers to these two questions are spread across the entire Bible…repeated many times in many different ways…so that EVERYBODY can completely and clearly understand EXACTLY what it is that God wants and expects from them. Obviously, this is one of the reasons why regular Bible reading is so important. But for here and now…to get us started and moving forward rightly…let’s simplify to a couple of places where the Bible summarizes God’s behavioral rules for us. In terms of what we should NOT do, Galatians 5:19-21 tells us the following: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In terms of what we SHOULD do, Psalm 15:1-5 tells us the following: LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. So, there you go…if you want to go to Heaven, you now have two lists that describe how to LIVE and CONDUCT yourself…you now have a specific list of things to NOT do…and a specific list of things to do. Abide by these scriptures in the “natural” aspect of your life…and seek a deeper relationship with God in the “spiritual” aspect of your life…and you WILL INFALLIBLY make Heaven your eternal home.
What Does It Mean To Be Saved? And, How Does A Person Get Saved?
EVERY one of the 66 books in the Bible in one way or another points the way to Salvation. But, the book of Romans does a particularly good job of walking a person down the path of God’s Salvation Plan and explaining everything in a direct and plain way. Many have called this the “Roman’s Road To Salvation”. In particular, various verses spread across the book of Romans explain why we need to be saved, how God made a way for us to be saved, how we can be saved personally, what happens when we get saved, what we need to do in order to stay saved, how we need to live our life as a saved person, and what the consequences are if we do not accept God’s Salvation Plan. The tenets of God’s Salvation plan start in the very first chapter of Romans… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” — Romans 1:16 Too many people are more concerned about what other people think about them than what God thinks of them. Too many people are blocking the power and blessings of God out of their life because they are more concerned about fitting in with and being accepted by the people around them … than they are of rising up to the higher (and happier) level that God wants them to be on. So, the preceding verse lets us know that if we want the power of God to change our life for the better … if we want to be saved … if we want peace and joy within ourselves … if we want God’s blessings in this life … and eternal life in Heaven after this life, then we must BELIEVE that God wants us to be saved through the sacrifice of His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Moreover, this verse lets us know that the FIRST step to Salvation is to get past being ashamed of and embarrassed about being a spiritually-minded person … and to step into being a person who honors and follows the plan of God no matter what other people think. Bluntly, a person must get past being embarrassed about being affiliated with Christ … a person must get past being ashamed of Christ and His gospel if they want to be saved and receive all the blessings that come with being in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Next on the Romans Road to Salvation, we come to this… “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17 This verse lets us know that faith is a key element of salvation. Elsewhere, the Bible tells us that God is a spirit which means we do not see Him physically, but we can definitely experience Him and His presence in our life. As an analogy, faith is like wind. We normally cannot see wind but we can definitely feel it, experience it, and see its physical effects. And in fact, if we drop down a few verses, the Bible makes this exact point… “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” — Romans 1:20 This verse is telling us that our invisible God produces physical effects that can be so clearly seen and understood that there is no excuse for us not believing in Him. Next on the Roman Road to Salvation, we come to this verse… “There is none righteous, no, not one.” — Romans 3:10 This verse states what we all know is true deep down inside of ourselves: we have all sinned. Not a single one of us is completely innocent and pure. Now, we may not be a drunken vagabond, drug-dealer, serial-killer, or whatever it is that we classify as a vile person … but we ALL HAVE done things that we knew were wrong … and we ALL HAVE thought thoughts that we knew were wrong thoughts. And so, we are NOT inherently, natively sin-free. We are in fact inherently sinful … we ALL HAVE sinned … that is why we need salvation … that is why we need redemption … and that is what the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was all about: redeeming us out of our sins and reconciling us to God the Father by His sinless life and supreme sacrifice. This is precisely what subsequent verses tell us: “The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” — Romans 3:22-26 From these verses, we find that: As we continue on the Romans Road to Salvation, we come to a verse that expands our understanding of faith… “But to him that … believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” — Romans 4:5 When we believe on Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer … the only one who can justify us … that is an act of faith … and that act of faith is credited to us as righteousness. Next, the Romans Road to Salvation expands upon the two-part work of Jesus Christ as it pertains to us… “Who was delivered for our offense, and was raised again for our
Baptism
What Is Christian Baptism All About? Why Do Christians Get Baptized? Being baptized is an important ceremony wherein new Christians are fully submersed in water … an act that illustrates their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. More specifically, being immersed in water symbolizes the act of dying out to sin and of being buried with Jesus Christ. Coming up out of the water symbolizes being resurrected into a new life in Jesus Christ. Being baptized symbolizes a person’s commitment to permanently stop living a sinful life that displeases God and to start living a Godly life that pleases God. Baptism symbolizes a commitment to turn away from sinful living. Baptism symbolizes a complete surrendering of one’s will and life to God through Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public statement that a person is no longer going to live a life of habitual sinning … that they are instead beginning a new life devoted to righteousness … right living … as defined by God in His word to us which we call the Bible. Baptism is a public pronouncement that a person accepts the death of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for his or her past sins. The crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross is God’s offer of eternal life to all of humankind and the act of being baptized publicly announces a person’s acceptance of God’s offer. Baptism, as described in the Bible, means a complete immersing of one’s body in water which signifies the death and burial of a person’s old sinful nature. Now, what requirements must a person meet before they can be baptized? There are two requirements: 1) A person must have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior … as the supreme sacrifice for their sins … as the perfect sacrifice that reconciles them to God the Father. A person must have confessed their sins…and repented of their sins … and determined to live their life in a way that is pleasing before God. A person must have surrendered their will and their life to God through Jesus Christ. 2) A person must understand the meaning of being baptized … that baptism is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life (requirement #1) … that baptism is a public proclamation of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to God’s precepts as defined within the Bible … and want to make that public proclamation so that everyone may know they have begun a new life in Christ. In closing, there are many scriptures throughout the New Testament devoted to the topic of baptism. If you wish to know more about this subject, you are encouraged to do a Biblical search for the words “baptize”, “baptized”, “baptism”, and “baptizing”. Or, if you prefer, you are welcome to contact our church and speak with someone about being saved and being baptized.
Bible Reading: A Guide For New Christians
Given the sheer size of the Bible and the number of different books in the Bible, new Christians are often unsure of which books of the Bible to read first. They aren’t sure if they should start at the very beginning and read all the way through to the end…reading the Old Testament first and the New Testament second…or if they should read the New Testament first and then read the Old Testament second…or, if they should skip around and read the different books of the Bible in some other order. So, this blog post offers a recommended reading sequence…in a skipping around format…that the new Christian can use to expand their knowledge of God and His spiritual truth. In particular, this recommended reading sequence is organized and arranged so that the new Christian can begin reading the books of the Bible in a way that: • Is easiest to understand• Answers the most important questions that new Christians have• Reveals important truths that God wants the new Christian to know• Explains how a Christian should live their life on a daily basis• Reveals the nature of God• Explains the work, purpose, and gift of Jesus Christ Now, you are ready for the list. It is recommended that the new Christian begin reading the books of the Bible in the following order (if you are not sure where to find a particular book, just look it up in the table of contents at the beginning of your Bible): 1. John (Find out who Jesus Christ is. Learn about the nature of God and His will for humankind.) 2. I John (Learn about how to get in right relationship with God. Learn about how to live as a Christian. Learn about blessings the Christian receives from God.) 3. III John (Discover the good that God wishes for you to have in your life. More about how to live as a Christian.) 4. I Peter (Get more detailed guidance on how to live as a Christian. Learn what to do in “tough” times and how to get through “problems”. Discover that God is watching over you and listening for your prayers.) 5. II Peter (Learn about the “character” of a Christian. Beware of ungodly people and those who forsake God’s truth and righteousness. Learn more about the nature of God.) 6. James (Find out how to get wisdom. Learn about overcoming temptation and the consequences of giving into temptation Learn about where goodness comes from. Discover what true “religion” is. Learn how to interact with people. Learn how to interact with God. Find out what kind of mindset God wants you to have.) 7. Philippians (Learn more about Jesus Christ and who He is and what His position and authority is. Find out how to live a spiritual life. Find out about God’s peace. Discover the right way to use your mind.) 8. Colossians (Learn about being a fruitful Christian. Learn about how we are redeemed through Jesus Christ. Learn about Christian family life.) 9. Ephesians (Learn about the forgiveness of sins. Learn about God’s mighty power given to us through Jesus Christ. Discover just how much God will do for you. Learn about how to live as a Christian. Find out about the armor God has given us so that we can overcome.) 10. Matthew (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.) 11. Mark (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.) 12. Luke (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.) 13. Acts (A recording of the early Christian church, the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, God’s works through Christian men and women, and the spread of Christianity throughout the world.) 14. Romans (A rich description of Salvation and the Christian way of living.) 15. Psalms (A tremendous source of encouragement and inspiration for the Christian as well as a deep revelation into the nature of God.) 16. Proverbs (Gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from the wisest man who has ever lived.) 17. Read the remaining books in the New Testament from the beginning to the end. 18. Read the remaining books in the Old Testament from the beginning to the end. 19. Read both the Old Testament and the New Testament simultaneously–reading a portion from the Old Testament and a portion from the New Testament each time you read the Bible. 20. Continue reading the Bible on a daily / regular basis in whatever order or arrangement feels most appropriate for you given your current situation, circumstances, and conditions. (You will discover that God’s Spirit has a way of “moving you” to read the scriptures that are most relevant, helpful, and encouraging based upon what is going on in your life at the moment.) Now, be sure you understand this: God reveals Himself to us in an unfolding, expanding process of spiritual enlightenment over time. The more we read the Bible and pray, the more God reveals Himself to us. What this means is that as you first begin reading of the Bible, it is likely that there will places where the meaning is not clear–where what you are reading does not make sense to you. This is normal. When this happens, do not be frustrated. Just keep going. Just keep reading forward. Know that as you continue reading the Bible as outlined above, God will open and expand your understanding and reveal Himself to you in a deeper and richer way. Also, as you read the Bible, let yourself be excited about and curious about discovering all the things that God has “hidden” in His Word for you to find. There are amazing secrets and solutions embedded within the Bible…secrets and solutions that are highly relevant to your life…and to the success of your life…both spiritually and naturally…and they are just sitting there…waiting for you to discover them. With this mentality, reading the Bible will never be hard or boring. Rather, it will be interesting, fun, enjoyable, and pleasant…as God
The Salvation Plan
There Is An Almighty God Who Loves And Cares For YOU! Here is what the Bible says… John Chapter 3, Verses 16 through 21:(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Romans Chapter 5, Verse 8:But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Do You Ever Feel These Feelings? Do you ever feel something “tugging” at your heart? Do you ever feel a lonely feeling when there is no reason for you to feel lonely? Do you ever feel a depressed feeling even when you ought to be feeling happy? Do you ever feel a lack of fulfillment or completeness even after obtaining and accomplishing what society says you should obtain and accomplish? On a logical level, you know there is no reason you should feel these kinds of feelings but yet you do. Well, here is what is going on: Revelations Chapter 3, Verse 20:Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Here is another one… Do you ever feel like there is no hope for you? Like there is no way out of the mess your life is in? Colossians Chapter 1, Verses 13 and 14:(13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Going farther, have so many bad things happened to you, that you feel there is no reason to go on? Here is what the Bible says… Psalms Chapter 146, Verses 5 through 9:(5) Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: (6) Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: (7) Which executeth judgement for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners: (8) The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous: (9) The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Luke Chapter 4, Verses 18 and 19:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me [Jesus], because he [God] hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he [God] hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Here is still another one for you to consider… Do you feel like you have done so many wrong and bad things in your life that there is no forgiveness or hope for you? Well, hear what God says to you… Hebrews Chapter 7, Verse 25:Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Isaiah Chapter 1, Verse 18:(18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. One last one for you… Do you feel like you do not deserve any peace or happiness? Romans Chapter 6, Verse 23:…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians Chapter 1, Verse 7:In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; The point here is this: those longing, yearning, unfulfilled, or empty feelings you are feeling are in reality God’s Spirit pulling at your heart-strings because He lovingly wants you to move into a right relationship with Him. And, no matter what your past has been, God wants to be in a relationship with you through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Now, let’s move to another important topic… What Is Sin? Well, the Bible answers this question for us… 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Verses 9 through 10:(9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Romans Chapter 1 Verses 29 through 31:(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Galatians Chapter 5 Verses 19 through 21:(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I