FAITH
Suppose someone asked you the question: “In your personal opinion what do you understand it takes for a person to get to heaven?” What would you say? Well, that is what FAITH is all about. Each letter in the word stands for something significant that leads to heaven.
F is for FORGIVENESS.
We
cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness. “In Him
[meaning Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
–
A is for AVAILABLE.
Forgiveness is available. It is-
AVAILABLE FOR ALL
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” –John 3:16
BUT NOT AUTOMATIC
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven” –Matthew 7:21a
I is for IMPOSSIBLE.
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
GOD IS-
LOVE
JUST “For judgment is without mercy”-James 2:13a
MAN IS SINFUL “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” –Romans 3:23
Question: But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?
T is for TURN
Turn means repent
TURN from something- sin and self
“But unless you repent you will all likewise perish” –Luke 13:3b
TURN to Someone; trust Christ only
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3b-4,
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” –Romans 10:9
H is for HEAVEN
Heaven is eternal life. It begins here. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly.” –John 10:10b
Heaven is also the hereafter. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” –John 14:3
So, how can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? Simple; by FAITH.
