| Two Important Questions In such subjects as eternity and the spiritual there really are definitive, concrete, tangible answers as layed out in the Bible. The Bible really breaks it all down and tells it like it is. Here are two diagnostic questions to help crystalize our thinking in this all important area that might otherwise remain nebulous and abstract. 1) If you died tonight do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would go to heaven? 2) If you were to die tonight and appear before God and He asked you, "Why should I let you into heaven?" what would your answer be? Think about how you would answer these two questions for a moment. Mentally write your answers down before continuing to read this. Question number one -- I've heard many answers to this one; Some simply shrug and say, "I hope so!" Others, "I don't know..." Many say, "Yes," and then in answer to the second question, "...because I am basically good person." I rarely ever get the answer "No" to this first question. This is because few people have any idea as to the urgency of their human condition in the light of eternity. Question number two -- Here the typical answers are, as previously stated, because the person is basically good (i.e. keeps the golden rule, doesn't kick cats or push old ladies down stairways, etc.). Again, this question is an excellent means for determining a man's spiritual assessment of his life: believing that it is up to himself to save himself by good deeds, acts of kindness, performance and behavior that is somehow deserving of heaven... But in reality, he is cut off from God and there is no way he can save himself. In Bible speak, the fact is, all of mankind is part good and part evil. This is what happened to him in Adam. When he partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he became a mixture. The true equation of life is not good vs. evil -- But rather it is good vs. good and evil mixed. We see this in all of the world religions: it is the ying and yang, the convergence, or balance of good and evil. The Bible is the only book which presents God as completely holy and pure with no evil in Him. And as such, He is judge and executioner over all who have sinned. We have all sinned and come short of His holiness, His goodness, His glory and His approval. There is not one of us who is righteous. All of us fall short of God's standard for heaven (Romans, chapt. 3). The good news is this: God has not left it up to us to save ourselves. And He hasn't left it in the realm of uncertainty: This is what the Bible says of itself: This is the record that God has given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life, he that does not have the Son does not have the life. These things are written that you may KNOW that you have eternal life; and this life is in His Son (I John 5: 11-13). Did you catch the word, "KNOW" in that passage? It's not left up to, "I hope so..." God wants you to KNOW that you have eternal life. There's only one way to be sure. Jesus became the sin sacrifice for all who look to Him for eternal life, when he was executed by God the Father on the cross, and raised to life. NEXT HOME |