HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN
YOU WERE MADE BY GOD.
The Bible says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Nothing happens by accident, and nothing can't create everything. No, you were created by the all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe, the God of the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ.
GOD MAKES THE RULES.
Just like there are laws that govern the physical universe, our God and Creator has rules concerning the spiritual realm as well. The same Lord behind gravity told us "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:16). Lying, lust, disobedience, stealing, blasphemy, adultery...these transgressions of God's laws are called sin.
THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH.
God is holy (Leviticus 20:26). He hates sin (Habakkuk 1:13). If you ignore the law of gravity and jump out a window, you'll face a painful consequence. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). If you break the holy laws of your Creator, then you too will face his punishment.
HELL IS A HORRIBLE PLACE.
When the Bible speaks of death, it's speaking of more than just the grave. Hell and the lake of fire are the final destinations of all those who face the wrath of Almighty God. Jesus called it a "furnace of fire" (Matt 13:42). A place of weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth. A place where there is no water and no hope. The Lord Jesus Christ said if cutting off your hand or plucking out your eye could keep you from going, then do it because hell is worse than anything you could possibly imagine (Matt 18:8-9).
YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD.
Do you know why ten out of ten people die? "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Don't believe me? How many lies have you told in your life? How many things--big, small, no difference--have you stolen? Ever looked at someone with lust? Disobeyed your parents? Taken God's name in vain? Then you are a sinner who will one day "stand before God" and give an account for every sinful thought and deed you've ever committed (Rev 20:12). Will you be innocent or guilty in that day? Will God sentence you to heaven or hell? Does that concern you?
THE GOOD NEWS
Because "the Lord is not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet 3:9), God did everything necessary to pay for your sins and give you everlasting life. The Bible says, "God was manifest in the flesh" in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim 3:16). He lived an absolutely sinless life. Then he died a substitutionary death on our behalf to appease the wrath of God and fulfill the terms of divine justice. That is the gospel, "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We did the crimes. Jesus Christ paid the fine. It's that simple. And that amazing. And if you'll put your faith and trust alone in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God can legally dismiss your case and grant you everlasting life. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9, 13)
