Work or faith?

Can I be good enough to work my way to Heaven? Is it enough to be kind to my neighbor, not to steal, not to lie, not to take the Lord's name in vain....on and on goes the list. Just think, if I say, "I don't tell lies." Wow! Can I really, truly say that and not tell a lie? I think if each of us thinks through one day we would have to admit we do not tell the absolute truth every minute of the day. Think about everything you say!

What does God say about getting to Heaven? After all, isn't Heaven His? For that matter, the earth and all that we use are His! Can I go to your home and decide how I'm going to go in? What I'm going to do once I'm in there? How I'm going to treat you? Would you accept if once I am there, I act as if you cannot tell me what I can do in your home and how I can treat all that's in your home?

Again, we have to read God's Word to know what God's thoughts are on the matter.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Ephesians 2:8,9

In Revelation 21, the theme is the Holy city (vs.2), the New Jerusalem which is when Time is over. It is the eternal state of things. The last verse says.

Rev 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

Acts 16:31

You know what? I know I am not eloquent and almost anyone can write better than me. I know that there will be grammatical mistakes in every post I write. Put that aside and listen to God's Word. Read it! Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to show you the way. My words are so weak. He is the only One who can save our souls from Hell. He is kind and loving and did all He could to save mankind. He gave His life to pay the debt of sin that was ours. It's been 34 years since I've trusted Christ as my Saviour and though there have been bad days, I have NEVER regretted that decision. He is my strength!

Starting

I have been toying with the idea of a blog. Something in me, says "No!". Maybe I should listen to that voice but my only desire to help someone find a closer walk with God. Do I think I am a great example of a close walk with God? No! I think maybe most of us have the same struggles, though different levels in different areas. So it's in that way, I would like to help someone else.

First of all, to walk with God means to have a personal relationship with God. The only way to learn of this relationship is to read God's Word, The Holy Bible. Sadly , the majority of people today shy away from the Bible. Why? For various reasons....... Maybe anyone reading this, if you do not read God's Word take time to ask yourself why you don't. I will not be your judge on this issue.

John, the Baptizer, pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ one day and told those around him, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29. I love that verse.

Unfortunately, the word "sin" is not a popular word in today's generation. Most prefer faults, preferences, weaknesses....... You fill in the blank, But God in His love warns us faithfully, "...for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.

The Lord Jesus told Nicodemus (who was a very well learned Jewish religious leader of His day) "....unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3. He was speaking of a spiritual birth..... verse 6 He explained," That which is born of the flesh is flesh, (my birth into my natural family) and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (the day I accepted by faith that Jesus died for me)."

Before the Lord Jesus went back to Heaven, He gave a great commission to His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (good news) to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Mark 16:15, 16. NASB Baptism saves no one: the deciding factor is what will I do with God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? Believing or disbelieving!

This good news brings peace to the heart of men and women, boys and girls. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, bore God's wrath that we had accumulated because of our sin. That is the new birth! Repentance toward God (for my sin) and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Only because of Him can we have assurance of a place in Heaven. Sin will never enter Heaven. The day I enter will be in a glorious renewed body like that of the Lord Jesus Christ's. It's not the one I have today...that one is still affected by sin.

It's a wonderful life, not because I am good or better than the person next to me who does not know Jesus as Lord, but because I have a wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him to answer your questions today! Give His Word a chance.......read it.