Scripture: Luke 6:46-49
Many churchgoers will be alarmed to discover that ministry
work does not earn a place in heaven. Good deeds mean nothing to God unless
they are the outgrowth of a relationship with Him. Only those who have received
Jesus Christ as their Savior will enter heaven, no matter how many acts of
kindness or charity they have performed.
The definition of the word “believe” is what often confuses
church members who lack genuine faith. They believe in God, Jesus, and heaven.
But there’s a difference between giving intellectual assent to an idea and
spiritually acknowledging Christ as God’s Son and one’s own personal Savior. In
the Bible, every time someone truly believes in Jesus, he or she changes. It is
impossible to remain the same after realizing one’s desperate need for Him.
An earnest desire for salvation begins with the recognition
that we have sinned against God. We must also be aware that there is no hope of
salvation apart from the Lord. Having understood these two facts, we need to
trust in His sacrifice for the payment of our sin-debt. Some people use the
terminology “ask Jesus to forgive your sin” or “ask Jesus into your heart.” It
doesn’t matter how we describe the experience—if we repent of sin and make a
decision to receive Christ, we are saved.
God promises to respond to a humble acknowledgement of His
Son’s sacrifice. If you desire to be in heaven with Him for eternity, ask
yourself this question: Have I been saved? If not, now is the time.
Prayer - Creative Silence:
Sometimes we try so hard to solve the problems of our
health, our children, our business, our church, or our future that we become
agitated of depressed. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
Think it over…
~ I need Christ, not something that resembles Him. - C. S.
Lewis
~ Often, without being at all aware of it, men judge
themselves, not by God's rule, but by their own. - Charles Finney
~ Genuine, hearty laughter is one of the greatest gifts
imparted to us by our Father. It has the amazing power to diminish our pain,
lifting our souls in joyous good cheer, while providing bright hope for the
unknown days ahead. - W. Phillip Keller
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