We all lack something in this world and can feel deep inside the need for something more. As God created us physically, He also placed in us choice to choose Him and His ways or to worship something else. The need for something more comes from God saying to you on the inside that he wants you to choose Him. Those who do not choose Him, the Bible says God will not allow into heaven. Deep inside we know we are lacking what it takes to obtain perfection. Perfection is to be with God. So how do we get to enter heaven into His perfection? 

First, Heaven is a free gift. We live in a world where everything is based on a wage. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life!” We deserve death because of our (lack of perfection) sin. However, heaven is a free gift and can not be earned or deserved. In Ephesians 2:8 – 9 it says, “it is by grace you are saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works, so that we can not brag about it.” 

Second, You are a sinner! Sin is anything that displeases God. It could be murder. Theft or adultery – things you do. It also could be a thought like lust, hatred, or bitterness. It also could be things you don’t do like helping your neighbor. God said that when we know to do good and do not do it that it is a sin. WOW! This shows how much sin each of us have in our lives. To sin only three times a day would be amazing but that would still over a 70 year life span have over 70,000 offenses against the holy God! Do you know that you can not save yourself from your sin? In Matthew 5:8 we are told to Be Perfect just as our father in heaven is perfect! You might be thinking, “Well, I don’t have that many sins.” If you only had 1 sin in your life you could not enter into heaven. You could have 25 “good deeds” and only 1 bad deed and you would be disqualified from getting into heaven. 

Third, God is Merciful and Just! God is merciful and therefore does not want to punish us but God is also just and says in Exodus 34:7b that He will not let the guilty go free! 

God solved our problem of not being good enough to get into heaven through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was both God and man. In John 1:1 &14 we are told of how Jesus always was and came in the flesh. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. You see each and everyone of us has sinned and turned our own way. However, God laid on Jesus the sin of us all! (Isaiah 53:6) In order for what Jesus did to apply to your sin and for you to receive His free gift of eternal life you must do one thing! 

To receive the gift of eternal life, you must place your faith in Jesus alone. Faith in “there is a God and Jesus” will not get you into heaven. Knowing all the facts about God and agreeing with them is not enough. In James 2: 19 it says, “You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe and tremble!” The demons agree in who God is but did not choose to place their faith in Jesus alone. Faith in times of trouble will not get you into heaven. You might remember or be going through a time where you are calling on God to help you. You might be calling out for help in a relationship or with finances, or your health. That is good to trust God but will not get you into heaven. When the crises you are asking Him to “fix” are fixed or gone, what happens? You forget about God. The only faith that will get you into heaven is trusting what Jesus did on the cross for your eternal life. In Acts 16:31 it says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Saved from what? The punishment of not choosing to place your faith in Jesus while you were here on this earth, which is Hell.  

So, to accept Christ’s gift of eternal life - Pray this prayer. Only you and God know if you mean it. 

Dear God,

      I know that heaven is a free gift and can not be earned or deserved. I also know that I am a sinner and can not save myself. Thank you for loving me and for being a just God. I place my faith in Jesus alone for eternal life. I ask that you forgive my sins. I place you as the Lord of my life.  

In Jesus Name, Amen 

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, please contact us as well as a local church in your area and start your new life in Him today! The Bible says that when you place your faith in Him, your sins are forgiven! If we confess (admit) our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive those sins!  

God Bless you – First Baptist Church, Palmer, Texas