"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:11-14).
All of us like to believe that we are a good person. We don't like to think that we have anything in our lives that would separate us from God. We sometimes think that everyone we meet is saved and going to Heaven when they leave this world. This is not the truth.
We believe that because we aren't murdering someone, or stealing from someone or doing some kind of "evil" thing, that we are guaranteed eternity in Heaven. This is simply not true. Look at the Pharisee in the passage above. He abstained from evil and even paid tithes. He thought this guaranteed him a spot in Heaven. Yet, his heart was not right with God; therefore, he missed out on his eternal reward. Just doing good things, or just abstaining from evil things is not enough to save our soul from Hell.
Just believing in God won't take you to Heaven. Just saying a prayer now and then won't get you there. Just doing good things for others; however noble they may be, won't save your soul. Attending church, joining the church, being baptized and paying tithes won't save you. All of these things are good. They are all necessary. However, none of these things will save you.
It takes the blood of Jesus to save a soul from sin. It takes confessing the sins, declaring that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died and rose again on the third day. It takes living a sold out life for Him. It takes seeking Him daily and repenting from all sin. It takes a relationship with Him daily. It takes denying ourselves and our desires and following after Him.
So many people believe because they say prayers before bedtime that they will go to Heaven when they die. However, the Bible says:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21).
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" (Psalm 66:18).
"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." (John 9:31).
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).
Just believing in God won't take you to Heaven. Just saying a prayer now and then won't get you there. Just doing good things for others; however noble they may be, won't save your soul. Attending church, joining the church, being baptized and paying tithes won't save you. All of these things are good. They are all necessary. However, none of these things will save you.
It takes the blood of Jesus to save a soul from sin. It takes confessing the sins, declaring that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died and rose again on the third day. It takes living a sold out life for Him. It takes seeking Him daily and repenting from all sin. It takes a relationship with Him daily. It takes denying ourselves and our desires and following after Him.
So many people believe because they say prayers before bedtime that they will go to Heaven when they die. However, the Bible says:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21).
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" (Psalm 66:18).
"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." (John 9:31).
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (John 7:13-14).
These Scriptures, and many others, show us that just being good, or just doing good things isn't enough. It takes a relationship with Christ. It takes accepting His sacrifice for sins, repenting of those sins, confessing Him as Lord, then turning from the sins and living a life that is pleasing to Him.
So being good enough is not good enough. People say that God is a loving God and will not send anyone to Hell. This is true. He is a very loving God. He is love. He doesn't send anyone to Hell. Anyone who goes to Hell, does so by their own choice. God made a way to escape Hell. Jesus paid the price to avoid Hell, so anyone who goes, sends themselves. Don't be deceived into thinking that just because you are a good person that you are automatically going to Heaven.
"Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it." (Isaiah 5:14).
" For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9).
It's not good enough to be good enough. It takes the blood being applied to our sins and living for the Lord. Don't delay. Turn to Jesus today.
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