Your Most Important Decision

Sometimes it is the most important decisions that we put off until it is too late.  We make sure that we have home owners insurance in case of a fire and car insurance in case of an accident.  We put together a retirement plan to take care of us and our family when we stop working.  Some of us even purchase life insurance in case we have an accident.  We prepare for all of the things we deem important in life but how often do we stop to think about the important things that happen after we die?

The Bible is the origin from where we get our information of both Heaven and Hell and yet so many believe in only the existence of one and not the other.  God warns us of a place called Hell and gives us the choice to live there, forever separated from Him in torment and agony.  Or to live with Him, in a place called Heaven where there is everlasting joy and happiness for all of eternity.  It is our choice to go to one or the other, but if we do want to live one day in Heaven we cannot cut corners, take the back way, or make a short-cut.  There is only one way to Heaven.

The Bible, God's Word, explains to us clearly how we may spend eternity with God in Heaven.  Here are the steps that you must take in order to follow God's design for your life:

First, you must believe that you are a Sinner.  Sin is anything that is contrary to the Word of God.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

God is Holy, which means that He is perfect.  He is "without sin" and has never sinned ever.  Because of His Holiness He cannot allow sin in His presence, which means that He cannot allow anyone who has ever sinned before into Heaven, without a penalty to be paid.  

Second, you must believe that you deserve to be separated from God in Hell as the penalty for your sin.  We are all born imperfect and have sin in our lives and the penalty for sin is death, which means eternal separation from God.  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Third, you must believe that you cannot save yourself from this penalty or earn your way to Heaven by doing good things.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9  Only God can save you, you cannot earn your salvation by all the good you do.  You cannot even earn your salvation by going to church, giving an offering or donation, or by being baptized.

Fourth, you must believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and your Saviour.  "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23.  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Fifth, you must believe that Jesus Christ loves you, so He died, was buried, and rose again to pay your sin's penalty of death.  "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.  "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24.  "...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 15:3b-4.

Six, you must believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to have salvation from your sin, the only way to live with Him in Heaven, and the only way to fellowship with God.  Again, there are no back doors or short-cuts, through Christ alone is the only way that we can live with Him one day in Heaven.  "Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Seven, you must repent.  To repent means that first you've changed your mind about what you believe and trust in for your salvation.  Going from your previous beliefs to the belief that Christ alone can save you from your sins.  And second it means that you've changed your mind about the direction you want to go in life in relation to sin and Christ.  In other words, you've put your sins behind you and are purposely and consciously moving away from them and giving them up and instead following Christ.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." Acts 3:19a.  

Once a person truly repents and has been saved from the darkness of their sins, then there will be a real change in his life from now on.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.  

Eight, if you believe these things, and if you repent in your heart, then right now you can call on Christ to save you.  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.  To call on Christ simply means to tell Him in a simple prayer that you believe you are a sinner, that you know you deserve death in Hell as the penalty for your sin, that you know you cannot save yourself through your good deeds, that you believe Jesus is the Son of God and your Saviour and that He died for your sins was buried and rose again to pay the penalty of your sins, that you repent of your sins, and that you call on Him to save your soul from death in Hell and to give you the gift of eternal life in Heaven.

We hope that you will trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour and make Him Lord over your life.  There is such peace that only one can have through giving everything over to God and allow Him to make the important decisions in your life.  Won't you trust in Him today?  Don't put it off!  You've only got one chance in this life to get to Heaven, and once you've passed on it will be too late.