Heaven: How do you qualify?
What confusion and division there is about this! Doesn’t the existence of so many church denominations affirm that? What are your beliefs about this? Are there things in the list below that would qualify someone?
- Being baptized
- Living a good life
- Doing your best to please God
- Trying to live by the Golden Rule
- Being a member of a particular church
- Asking for God’s forgiveness of your sins
- Treating others the way you want to be treated
- Working to be obedient to God’s laws and commandments
Do you believe you’ve done enough to be qualified? How can you be sure? Can someone become worthy of Heaven by such things? What does the Bible tell us about all this? Doesn’t it say we are all unworthy?
Romans 3:10
10 As it is written: [a quote from Psalm 14:1-3]
“There is none righteous, no, not one;” [Emphasis added]
But the good news is that even though we’re all sinners, having fallen short of God’s perfect standards for entrance into Heaven, we are told that salvation is offered as free and available to anyone.
Romans 3:23-24
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely [being credited with the righteousness of God] by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [Emphasis added]
The Bible tells us man’s sin is a serious matter resulting in death and everlasting punishment.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel [the good news message] of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [Emphasis added]
But look what God did to provide us with a way to be saved from this!
Romans 8:32
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [Emphasis added]
Even though in times long ago God required certain works as a manifestation of one’s faith for salvation, such is not the case today.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
Salvation comes by grace through faith in what God alone has provided.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
The issue before us all is not what we can do for God but what He has done for us. God sent a Savior to bear His wrath for us that we might be saved from it.
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Emphasis added]
He did this so that a way might be made for our salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
To personally receive this righteousness that qualifies you for Heaven you must simply accept what He did for you. God doesn’t push Himself on anyone. But being His enemy, you need to accept His offer of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Your sins were all held against Christ on a cross where He died for them so that you would have this opportunity. His plea to you now is to accept that work He did so you can now be fully reconciled to Him. The command to us is to simply believe it.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [Emphasis added]
Even though God sent His Son Jesus Christ to perform the way for your reconciliation, this verse is telling us that you must personally choose to accept it to be fully reconciled and saved. Through Christ’s work, namely His death, burial, and resurrection, He’s done the work necessary to provide this opportunity for you.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [the good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
Faith alone in this which He did will provide immediate and permanent salvation for you. This matter is then settled and sealed forever.
Ephesians 1:13
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [Emphasis added]
What could be better than that! If you want to get this matter settled once and for all, put your faith in what Jesus Christ did for you. He took God’s wrath upon Himself so that you might have this opportunity. Whatever you decide will ultimately be a decision you will live with forever.
Romans 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Emphasis added]
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 4Us2UsMinistries.com. We are eager to help you with your questions. If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, congratulations! That will be the most important decision you will ever make.
