Thursday, December 17, 2009

Am I good enough to go to heaven?

Firstly, this is a question allot of people who believe in God have.
So if you don't believe in God and you are just going to criticize, kindly leave as this entry has nothing to do about evolution or creation. This is my religion and I expect you to respect it, as I respect your evolution religion.

Now lets get started, are you good enough to go to heaven?
Thats a pretty good question, how do we know who is and who isn't good enough to go to heaven?
Like allot of questions, we simply refer to the Bible!

Note: Before making any comments or get upset or angry or neglect the word of God, read the WHOLE article don't just stop when you read something you don't like!
Don't make the same mistake my other test readers made!



Revelation 20:13-15
(13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
(14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

So what that says is, if you don't do good you go to hell.
Now how do we know what is good or bad? Is it based on majority of opinion?
Because that never works out!
Lets see, the Bible actually tells us what we may and may not do, its called the 10 commandments, 10 laws, according to the Bible thats all you need to obey to go to heaven! Now what are the 10 commandments?

Well, the 10 commandments are split into 2 sections. The first is regarding God and the second regarding man.

#1. Do not worship any other gods.
This is very important. Hey, do you have more than 1 God?
Do you live for school and totally neglect the word of God?
Do you spend hours infront of the TV and don't even think of God, or even consider Him?
Is the answer yes?
Then you are in allot of trouble when you stand before God!

#2. Do not make any idols.
Don't make something that resembles God and worship that. God is much much much bigger than we will ever be able to imagine! Making a statue and praying to that, even if it resembles God is just a slap in God's face! If you read the bible you will see people that did this were punished!

In Exodus when the Israelites made an idol (the golden calf) they had a choice, stay with the calf or turn to God. Those who stayed with the calf died. Those who went to God...The calf was crushed into powder and they had to drink it! I'm sure that tasted...interesting.

If you want to talk to God go on your knees (just shows respect), close your eyes (to prevent distraction) and talk to God. Nothing special, just that.

#3. Do not misuse the name of God.
This is really bad, 40% of the people I know don't even know they are doing this, and 30% of them know they are doing this, but they just don't care. Honestly, why do people use the name "God" to express anger? You see it in movies, plays, series, books everywhere. People just don't care about this. If you are one of those guilty people, I think you are in BIG trouble when you stand before God.

#4. Keep the Sabbath holy.
God tells us, work 6 days, rest 1.
How many people actually do this?
Some people say: "We do this, we go to church every Sunday!".
Well I'm sorry, but that just isn't going to cut it. I will agree its hard to do in todays times, but atleat try! Most teenagers have got the resting part done, 7 days a week!
Not gonna cut it!

That was regarding God. Now regarding man.

#5. Honour your mother and father.
This could be tricky huh?
Its really hard sometimes, especially when they are being "unfair"!
You are not allowed to go to the party! When they say something you don't like you might crack and swear them, or intimidate them etc. Trust me, this happens allot!

#6. Do not murder.
I'm sure this isn't a problem for most people, but yea, just thought I'd mention it. The guy actually mentioned something I never knew, after some research I found it! Jesus states that hating someone, thinking bad of someone, it means you are committing murder in your heart, which is true, don't wish bad things on others.

#7. Do not commit adultery.
This is one of the laws broken allot!
Really, how many parents are divorsed?
How many couples cheat on each other?
Think about it, it happens ALLOT!

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
So as you can clearly see, these laws are not all meant to be interpreted physically, but also spiritually and emotionally.

#8. Do not steal.
Don't take something that isn't yours, without asking atleast.
Don't take a pen from someone. Don't take test answers!
Many variations of stealing! You can steal with your hands, with your eyes etc.

#9. Do not lie.
How many of you have ever lied?
All of you, right?
Big lie, small lie, good lie, bad lie. Against God's law. Any lie at all is against the law of God.

#10. Do not covet.
This is tough!
"My friend got the newest car on the mark! Why don't I have it? I must get it at all costs!"
Sure this happens. This happens to everyone, hey have you been jealous before? I have, I think this goes in here too. Don't be jealous! Don't covet! Give it a try! Not really easy!

You have to do that, its not called the 10 suggestions its called the 10 commandments. Its not optional. Anything that you have done that falls in 1 of those categories are considered sin. And you deserve hell. I have broken most of the laws, I am filled with sin every day. The only commandments I have not broken is number 2, 3, 5. Thats less than half of it. So in other words, I'm screwed! I sin on a daily basis!
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death;...
So this verse says, any sin we do will cause us to die. If you have done any one of those sins, sadly it means no, you are not good enough to go to heaven. Sad isn't it? So the short answer to this question is no. If you have broken any one of those sins you deserve to go to hell. Sorry to be the one telling you that. Seriously, the Bible says we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

HOWEVER!

It does not end there!
You will notice in the verse above (Rom 6:23) I made an ellipsis. Thats because its not the whole verse.
The whole verse says:
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What does this mean? God is offering us a gift. Its free. All you have to do is accept it. Eternal life. Thats what you get if you don't break any of the above laws! So open your eyes!

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Read it again. It says should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It doesn't say might not perish and maby have everlasting life.
You will not perish and have everlasting life under 1 condition.
You have to believe in God, you have to believe that He sent Jesus to earth and sacrificed Jesus for us. Our punishment is death. It has been paid by someone else. Jesus, all you have to do is accept it, thats that. Man, what a deal.

Now, how do we accept this gift?
Its easy, close your eyes and say the below (Or similar, doesn't matter as long as the base is there.)
Dear God, I repent of all of my sins. This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour because I know You sent Him to save me from your wrath. Please forgive me, and grant me your gift of everlasting life. Change my heart, and make me who You want me to be. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Or say this:
Lord, I repent from my sins. I know I am full of sins and I'm sorry, I want to do good and I know that you sent Jesus to die in my place. Forgive me and help me go the right way and grant me Your gift of everlasting life. I ask this in Your name. Amen.

There's no magic words, anything that says you are sorry you have sinned, and you ask that God forgives you. Thats it!

So with this article I conclude. Everyone deserves to go to hell, but God loves us anyway He forgives us. And He will grant you the gift of everlasting life.

Its actually interesting Jesus says forgive your enemies (1 enemy) 7 X 70 times each day! So God forgives us atleast 490 times per day! Dang, bet it must be hard doing 490 sins each day by accident! We are human, we sin, but atleast try to stay pure. So yea, thats what I believe and I hope I have answered your question.

Martin

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