Bible Basics

How do I get to heaven?

By Pastor Ben Berger

"There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death," (Proverbs 14:12).

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved," (Acts 16:31).

Why should God let you into heaven? There are really only two possible answers to that question. "I believe that I have been a good person," or "I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior." One response leads to eternal death and the other leads to eternal life. The answers cannot be commingled. Either I believe completely in Jesus, or I believe in my own good works.

From the beginning of time humans have concocted their own plans of salvation. All such plans focus on good works. Human nature tells us that we must DO something to GET something. Our human minds do not comprehend the idea of FREE, UNDESERVED LOVE. Here are some of the ways humans try to get to heaven.

"I just have to do enough good things. If I live a decent life, take care of my family, treat my neighbors well and obey the government, then God will reward me with eternal life." The problem? God says, Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy (Leviticus 19:2). God doesn't ask us to do as many good things as we can; he demands that we do everything he has commanded. Anything less falls short and deserves eternal death.

"If I do more good things than bad things, God will let me in." This solution has the same problem as the previous thought. God does not accept any sin. The apostle James wrote, For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (2:10). God is not willing to sweep any or even the smallest sin under the carpet; he will punish all sin with eternal death.

"Well, I'm much better than that guy down the street. I don't drink too much or beat up my wife. I'm certainly better than all of the murderers in prison. I think God will let me in." Unfortunately, God doesn't ask us to be better than someone else. He requires that we be perfect and holy like him. Again, this line of thought leads to death.

Rather than trying to come up with our own solutions to get to heaven, we'd be much better off listening to God's solution. God knows that we cannot provide the perfection he requires. God knows that we have sinned and that he must punish that sin. Yet, God has provided the perfect solution in his son Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, (2 Corinthians 5:21). God punished our sin. He punished Jesus by sending him to die on the cross. Jesus' death paid the debt of our sins in full, and the sins of the whole world. In exchange for our sins God gave us Jesus' righteousness. God credits the perfect life that Jesus lived to us.

We don't have to DO anything because Jesus has already done it all. As a result of what Jesus did, God gives us forgiveness for our sins and eternal life for FREE. Life eternal is the gift of God. Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. Forget everything you have done and believe. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.