Application for Heaven - Part 2
If you were to list any of those previous qualifications on an application for heaven, it would indicate that you don't understand the worthlessness of religion by itself. The only application that would be accepted by heaven would be one on which you listed your qualifications as follows:
- I can cite no merit of my own.
- I have been a sinner from birth.
- I am coming not in my name but in Christ's.
- I believe Jesus is the Son of God and my Savior.
- I have accepted His sacrifice for my sins.
- I believe that He rose from the dead.
- I have put my trust in Jesus Christ to save me.
This is the confidence of the apostle Paul who to distinguish between religion and Christ wrote:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
(This is the verse that brought me to know the truth about Jesus and straightened out my misbeliefs.) You can read my story of how this happened here.
Taken from Religion Or Christ: What's The Difference? (Q0206). Copyright © 1991, 1995 RBC Ministries