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WHO GOES TO HEAVEN?

Did you know that bad people go to Heaven?
It's true. In fact every-one who makes it to heaven is a bad person! Here's how.

The bible says that every single person who has ever lived has fallen short of God's standard of perfection. It's not enough to keep most of the 10 commandments sometimes; we must keep all of God's commands all the time. If we have ever broken one rule, it's as good as breaking them all. None of us meet the standard and are too bad for heaven. So how does anyone get there?

Well, there was one person who met the standard. His name was Jesus and he is actually God who became human. He lived a perfect life where we failed. Only, because he claimed he was God people killed him, yet he worked this out for our benefit. As he died he took on himself every wrong thing people have ever done. His death is the only acceptable sacrifice that allows bad people to get to heaven.

God has bought you admission to heaven. All you have to do is accept the gift by surrendering your life to Jesus. Will you do so?

What Jesus has to say about bad people.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers and evildoers and adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of what I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven but beat his breast and said, "God have mercy on me, a sinner."
"I tell you that this man and not the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

WHAT IS NATURALISM?

Naturalism is the belief that the only things that happen are those that occur due to the natural, or scientific laws. In Western culture this worldview is important to how we think and act, and we mostly interpret our experiences as being scientifically explainable.

But is it legitimate to state that the only things that happen are those that are caused by natural laws? People who support naturalism would say so, and that anything that contradicts the known laws of nature must not have happened, or that there is some yet undiscovered scientific explanation. Typical naturalist beliefs say the Universe happened by chance and that who we are today is due to time and chance occurring on natural laws.

However, naturalists themselves are faced with the inconsistency of their worldview. Study of the laws of conservation of matter and energy tells us that matter cannot be created due to natural forces. The law of entropy states that time and chance and natural forces will not produce a structured and ordered universe, but causes corruption and death. Hence science leads us to the conclusion that natural laws cannot produce the universe we live in, and that something outside or beyond the natural realm (or the supernatural) must have.

The Bible talks about a supernatural God who exists above and beyond time and space. He created the natural world and is actively involved in holding it all together. It was made for him and he has complete control over it, and able to intervene scientific laws.

Surprisingly, this God who has control of the universe, intervened by becoming a man. Throughout his life, Jesus demonstrated that he was God by his many miracles, and showed his love by undergoing death in our place. His ultimate supernatural act was his resurrection from the dead, defying corruption and death, so those who believe he is God can also live a supernatural life.

Are there events in your life that you cannot explain through what you know of science?

If the universe was created by chance and the world is in decay what hope does this offer us?

If there is a God who created the universe what are the implications for you?

Is there any reason you don't believe Jesus is God and surrender your life to him?

WHAT IS RELIGION?

Religion is belief in following a set of behaviours. That is, through our actions we can become more that we currently are. In our society there are diverse religious beliefs, each helping people make sense of the world, and find their place in it.

But is it true to say that a following a set of rules will enable us to make contact with something greater than ourselves? Some say that attending church will make you a better person, that regular meditation will help you find your inner peace, or that following a rigorous daily regiment will earn God's approval.

However, this becomes doubtful when we look at the results of religious behaviour. Often people are unable to act according to their religious beliefs, such as the "hypocrite" who goes to church each Sunday, yet steals from his employer. Secondly religious practices actually bring out the worst in people. India, the largest Buddhist nation has an oppressive caste system. Islamic states mandate daily prayer and giving to the poor is mandatory, but often fail giving justice to women. In Ireland Catholics and Protestants perpetuate violence and terrorism against their own countrymen.

The Bible tells a story of God giving a nation a perfect religious system. Although entirely good, the Law of Moses was entirely useless at changing people. You see, God knows exactly how depraved and selfish humans really are. He gave them this perfect standard for two reasons: firstly so that they would know what good is; and secondly, so that they would recognise that they were incapable of being good. It was given to keep their nation alive until God's ultimate solution arrived.

God's ultimate solution was God himself becoming a man. Jesus lived a perfect life and went about healing, forgiving and teaching others that God's acceptance was only by accepting Jesus as God and following him. Those who loved their religion more than God sentenced Jesus to death. Others who were unwilling to follow Jesus confirmed it. Then Jesus was executed on a cross, and put an end to the law that he fulfilled perfectly. Any one who accepts Jesus as God and follows him will be given God's perfect Spirit and be changed from the inside.

Do you think religious effort is a reliable foundation for life?

If God's acceptance is by simply believing and following then why not make the decision to follow!

Articles by: Steven Fussell, President 2001- July 2003
LinC Student Christian Group
Mackay Campus, Central Queensland University

More articles:

• The message of Jesus
• What is sentimentality?
• Do you know the meaning of Easter?
• Who goes to Heaven?
• What is Naturalism?
• What is Religion?
• To be sad is bad...right?

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