How Can We Earn Heaven? What does the Bible Say?

Our conscience gives us a sense of right and wrong; and logic says if our right doings outweigh our wrongdoings or if we do some incredibly great right deed then we will be assured of going to heaven- but the Bible does not support human efforts to earn salvation.

"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Corinthians 15:50.

CONTEXT
This verse is from a section of the Bible where the Apostle teaches about the future believer's resurrection and what we will be like.

THE PROBLEM
If flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God then it cannot earn it either. The good deeds done in the strength of our earthly being will not be sufficient to satisfy the holy requirements of God.

The Lord Almighty is holy and his justice is absolute. We cannot satisfy God's justice because we are sinners. Any good that we do will be stained by our sinfulness. None of our motives are ever pure. Even if we did enough good to get to heaven the good is no longer good because the self-serving motive of doing it to go to heaven would tarnish it and God's holiness would not accept it.

This means there is nothing that anyone can do to earn a place in heaven.

GOD'S SOLUTION
Because we couldn't do it God did. He sent His son Jesus to take our sin and judgment upon himself as a perfect substitution on our behalf. He offers us the righteousness of Jesus and salvation as a free gift and He gives it to any who will take it.

All he asks is that we accept his offer.

To learn more about how to go to heaven read my post above at the tab titled The Gospel.

FOOTNOTE
Once you receive the Gift of Salvation the good you do will have greater meaning; you will do good as thanksgivings to God and as a partnership with God in doing good, which is far greater than doing good to earn salvation.

To learn about my books of poems visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.

(c) Adron

Why Do I Need To Repent?

We hear that we must repent and it sounds offensive like a criticism. We react saying, "Whose business is it, and what does it matter?"

On the other hand being told to repent and turn away from sin and its corrosive consequences may be one of the most loving things some one can say to you. Jesus responded this way...

"There were some present there who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilot had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, Do you think that these Galileans were worst sinner than all other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you too repent you too will perish." Gospel of Luke 13:1-3. NIV.

ABOUT JESUS
Christ is qualified to say this. He was the most loving person who ever lived and his life of love was consummated in his self-sacrificing death on the cross for our sins. He was the greatest teacher who ever lived and silenced his critics with such clear insight that "No one dared to ask him any more questions, ( Luke 20:40).  Even the guards sent to arrest him declared, "No one ever spoke like this man." (John 7:46).

THE WORD REPENT
Most religious thinkers agree that to repent is to turn around; as if one was going one way, then stops and turns around back the way they came. To repent is an act that states God is right and we are bringing our lives in line with his righteousness.

WHY
We may not like to be told that we are doing something wrong but if it is The Lord who says something is wrong we have no recourse because God is the ultimate authority.  He is the Holy One who is himself pure without sin; and being without sin he can't admit us into his grace, or favor, or heaven, or relationship because he would be guilty by association.

God is our creator and he is the Lord of the universe. He has the right to judge; first as the creator and second as the Lord Ruler of all.

CONSEQUENCES
We may not like being told we are involved in a sin; but Jesus tells us if we don't turn from our sin we will perish. It is wise to suffer the discomfort of admitting our wrongdoing and turn from our sin now than to be faced with it in the before the Holy Judge in Heaven.

Jesus used the word perish, there is no mistake, he did not teach a second chance, Purgatory or reincarnation.

JESUS TOOK THE CONSEQUENCES
Christ lived love. He is the one who said, "There is no greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. We may be offended to be told we are a sinner but we should be humbled that our sins cost the greatest man who ever lived his life, and grateful that he gave his life willingly. His death on our behalf took away our sin and through him we can come to God.

If you want to learn more about trusting Jesus as your savor click on the tab above titled The Gospel.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

Adron

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(C) Adron

What Does The Bible Say Pays For Sin?

What does the Bible says will pay for my sins? Is it something I can give, something I must do, or something I must feel? How do I know when I have given enough to pay for my sin?

Many people do many things in the hope to pay for their sins.

     * Some say prayers.
     * Some observe days of fasting.
     * Some attend community worship.
     * Some follow many rules.
     * Some give money.
     * Some hurt themselves.

But none have assurance that their sins are taken away or that they are right with God.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO ANSWER THIS?

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5. NIV. 

HE SAVED US
The very first words of this Scripture verse is encouraging, "He saved us..." God is the "He," and he is the one that give us salvation not our own works. Notice that the phrase is repeated, like The Lord wants no doubt in our minds, but he offers the testimony of two statements.

The Bible speaks of salvation as a past tense. As far as God is concerned it is done, that is why Jesus on the cross at the end of paying for our sins said. "It is finished." John 19:30.

HIS MERCY
Our Father does not save us because of the good things we do but because of "His Mercy." It is a gift that we are saved. He does for us what we cannot do ourselves, he sends his son to die on the cross to pay for our sins. All of the sacrifices of a lifetime could not pay for a single sin but Jesus was perfect and had no sin of his own to pay for so he was qualified to die for our sins as a substitute, and since he is God he can pay for the sins of all mankind.

REBIRTH AND RENEWAL
The reference to rebirth and renewal goes back to when Christ told the seeker in John, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3. Being born again is not something we can do but is accomplished by God through the Holy Spirit.

OUR PART
Our part is not to earn salvation but to receive it. Paul the apostle told the jailer "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved..." Acts 16:31. If you are ready to turn from sin and give up the old life of sinning and struggling with guilt and efforts of penance then come to Jesus; tell him you believe on him alone as the way of salvation, tell him you trust him to be your Savor. You will be born again the old life will begin to leave you and a new birth will begin.

To learn more about the plan of Salvation click on the Gospel tab above.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.



Adron

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How Are We Saved From Our Sins?

We feel the burden of our sins and want to rid ourselves of their heavy stain but there is nothing that we do that assures us of a clean conscience before the Almighty and Holy God. The payment for our sin is too great for us, but The Lord did what we could not do and made payment, and then offers it to us as a gift.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV.

This is the opposite of what we think.
     * We think a good deed will balance our bad so in the judgment scale it will all equal out.
     * We think if we abstain from doing evil we will be accepted into Heaven.
     * We think if we do a bunch of good things God will be so pleased he will let us in Heaven.
     * We think if we practice a lot of right behaviors, like honesty or citizenship, we won't go to hell.
     * We think if we keep rules like the Ten Commandments we will be saved.

THE BIBLE
The Bible doesn't say that; it teaches that redemption is a gift and God gives it by his grace not our merits. The work that gets us saved is not one we do but one Jesus did for us on the cross when he died for our sins. His death paid for all our sins, and his resurrection proves his sacrifice is acceptable and sufficient.

SAVED TO DO GOOD
Some of the confusion comes from seeing the lives of those who have received salvation. One observes them doing a lot of good things, like going to church, volunteering, tithing, serving and other activities, so we think they are doing those things to get into heaven and be saved from their sins. No, it is not to get saved but because they are saved that they do good works, and because they are freed from the power of sin that they are able to do good things. Good works is a response of gratitude to Our Father who loved us and sent his son to die on the cross for us. It is because we are saved from bad works and saved into doing good works, for God has prepared a life of good works for those who receive it.  It is not a life of sitting on a cushion feeling warm about our Creator but a life that says I am His and my actions are a sacrifice of love and thanks.

GIFT
Salvation is a gift and like any gift it is void until it is accepted and received. The Lord offers the gift of salvation to any who will take it. If you are ready to accept the gift of a new life and freedom from your sins then tell God.

To learn more about the plan of salvation click The Gospel tab above.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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