The Most Important ABC's

Those of you that have read the last few posts on this blog will know that my wife and I spent some time with her dying grandfather.  He died last night.  Thank you all for your prayers and I ask that you continue to pray for our family, but remember that you don't need to pray for John anymore.  John is, as I type this, about to complete his first complete day in Heaven, his first of an infinite number of days.  What a day it must have been, and tomorrow only promises to be better.

John Lind is in Heaven, but it's not because he was a good man, though he was.  He is in Heaven, but it's not because he was a faithful husband of 66 years, though he was.  He is in Heaven, but it's not because he was a dedicated Lutheran, though he was.  He is in Heaven, but it's not because he was a generous, kind soul, though he was.  John Lind is in Heaven today because Jesus is his Savior and Lord.

Our works no matter how many are never enough to get us into Heaven.  You can never be good enough because no one besides Jesus has ever lived a good enough life.  As Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

So, how does one get to Heaven?  Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  Jesus is the only way to Heaven.  In fact, Heaven is in essence being with Jesus.

The easiest way I've been able to explain how one gets to have Jesus as Lord and Savior is by using the following ABC's.  If you want to be with Jesus forever in Heaven then follow along with these ABC's:

A: Admit 
Admit that you are a sinner.  Admit that your best doesn't meet God's standard of perfection.  Admit that you need saving, that without Jesus' intervention you can't measure up.

B: Believe
Believe that Jesus can and will save you.  Believe that Jesus is who He says He is in the Bible and that all that the Bible says about Him is true.  Believe that Jesus, who is and always has been God, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, was crucified, died, and was buried, and rose from the dead, and is living in Heaven today.  Believe that His sacrifice will cover all your mistakes past, present and future.

C: Commit
Commit your life to Jesus.  Give your life to Him knowing that He does everything for your good and His glory.  Commit to following His ways and not your own.

Anyone who does these ABC's and truly means them will be in Heaven the moment they die.  Anyone who does these ABC's and truly means them is a Christian.  Now, if you did these ABC's I encourage you to find a local church.  There are many different types of churches out there, but please find one that will help you live the life you just committed to.

I encourage you to do one more thing if you did these ABC's, please tell someone that you did.  Tell a local pastor, Christian friend, youth leader, family member, someone.  As Jesus said in Luke 12:8, "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man (Jesus) will also acknowledge him before the angels of God."

I hope you prayed these ABC's because eternity rests on whether or not Jesus is your Savior and Lord.  John Lind is in Heaven because he believed in Jesus, will you be in Heaven when you die?  Please respond if you're feeling led to do so because you never know when you will feel this tug again.  Please pray the ABC's above today.