What do you think it takes for someone to get to
heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds?
Nothing at all? Or is there
something more? The Bible has the real
answer to this question; it is a matter of FAITH!
F - STANDS FOR FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God’s
forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, “In
Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins.”
A - STANDS FOR AVAILABLE.
Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world
that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” But
forgiveness is not automatic. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven,” says Matthew 7:21a.
I -
STANDS FOR IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven
because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just,
but His judgement is against sin. James
2:13a says, “Because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has
not been merciful.” We are sinful
people. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
T - STANDS FOR TURN.
To turn means to repent. We can repent
- or turn - from our sin and from ourselves.
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish,” Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: “That if you
confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
H - STANDS FOR HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life “to the full”: “I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b).” In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: “And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that
you also may be where I am (John 14:3).”
So how
can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as
personal Savior and Lord? By trusting
in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness.
Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking
All I Trust Him.
A simple prayer may be something like this;
“Lord Jesus, I know I
am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your
death and resurrection can I be forgiven.
I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior
and Lord. From this day on, I follow
You by living a life that pleases
You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving
me. Amen.”
Accepting Christ is
just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
1. Follow Christ Example in baptism.
2. Join a church where you can worship God
and grow in your faith.
3. In your church, get involved in Sunday
School and Bible Study.
4. Begin
a daily, personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.
If
you have placed your faith in Christ, today, please let the pastor or someone
know. Share the Good News of your new birth with
others,
TODAY!