Two Ways to Heaven

"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption."  1 Corinthians 15:50

There are two ways to get to heaven.  Perfection or forgiveness.  The Bible says that "corruption cannot inherit incorruption."  If you have any sin, then you cannot go to heaven.  Heaven is a perfect place, and only perfect people go there.  Only one person has ever lived without sin -- Jesus Christ.  So if you are hoping to be "good enough" to get to heaven, then you must be perfect.  How good is good enough?  Complete sinlessness.  You must be without corruption.

So, what about the rest of us?  How do we get to heaven if we have sinned?  Are we doomed?  We must be forgiven of our sins.  How do receive God's forgiveness?  "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb 9:22)."  To make forgiveness available to us, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood on the cross for our sins.  He died in our place, satisfying God's wrath against us.  Now that our penalty has been paid in full, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God.  "In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14)."  "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28)."

But Christ's death has only made forgiveness available.  To receive God's forgiveness we must turn to Jesus Christ in faith as our Lord and Savior.  "All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43)."

What does it mean to believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins?  This kind of faith involves two simultaneous decisions.  First, the decision to deny self-righteousness and depend on Christ.  This is the admission of guilt, and of utter and complete dependence on Christ.  It is believing that you deserve hell, and that your only hope for forgiveness is the blood of Christ shed for you.

Second, faith involves the decision to deny self-rule and devote yourself to Christ.  Faith in Christ is the decision to turn from your sins and hand over the steering wheel of your life to Jesus.

You can receive God's forgiveness today and have the hope of eternal life.  Just pray to God a simple prayer in which you deny self-righteousness and self-rule, and put your faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about how to go to heaven, please contact me.