Too Bad for Heaven?

What About Them?
Did you ever wonder who you will see in heaven? Have you ever wondered if you will see that friend you have not talked to in years? What about your that person who died unexpectedly or the people you read about in history? Chances are you have wondered about this, but have you ever wondered if cereal killers, rapist, jihadist, murderers, thieves, drug addicts, child abusers, and abortion doctors will? Did you ever wonder if some of the past famous criminals will be in heaven?

Immoral and Impure
Ephesians 5:5 is an interesting verse :"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."Does this verse mean that there will be no cereal killers, rapist, jihadist, murders, thieves, drug addicts, child abusers, or abortion doctors in heaven then? These would certainly be immoral and impure people would they not? Is there no hope then for these people? Are they too bad to go to heaven? I would like to make two points concerning this verse.

1. The only people who will be in heaven are immoral, impure, and covetous people. 
2. Every person who has ever lived is immoral, impure, and covetous (Rom 3:23).

In Context
What then? Do I stand opposed to the word of God? By no means! We must not pull scripture out of context. By reading the surrounding verses and chapters, we can understand what Paul meant. The next three verse say. "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord."

1. One thing we see in this passage is that these people are sons of disobedience. These are people who habitually disobey. In 1 John 3:10 we read, "By this the children of God and the children of the Devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God." Christians do disobey, but they are not sons of disobedience. This passage in Ephesians is not saying that people must be perfect to go to heaven. It is saying only those who have been born again and are no longer sons of disobedience will be in heaven. We are all sinners and if we had to be perfect no one could go to heaven. 
2. The next thing we see is that Christians all formerly live in darkness, but after salvation are light in the Lord. All Christians used to walk in darkness. No one is born a Christian. The only people who will be in heaven are immoral and impure people; however, they do not continue to live in darkness after salvation. They become light in the Lord.

The "Too Bad Myth"
The truth is we are all too bad to go to heaven, but no one is too bad to be forgiven. Most people have the idea that there are degrees of sinfulness; however, there are degrees of sinning but not of sinfulness. What do I mean by this statement? I mean that one may not sin as much as another, but they are no less sinful. Adam and Eve were separated from God after their first sin. All they did was eat a piece of fruit. James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." If you break one law, you are a law breaker. You can break more laws, but you were already a law breaker the first time you broke the law.

By Grace Through Faith
In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read, "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."We are not saved by works but by grace through faith. It is all a gift. Even the faith we have is a gift from God. We cannot even trust in Christ unless we are born again by the spirit. (Eph 2:1-7) We are all just as lost as the worst man who ever lived, and we are all saved by grace exactly like everyone else who is saved.

The Only People
I do not know the list of names in the book of life; however, I do know who the only people who will be in  heaven are. Only sinners who have been saved by grace through faith.

Judicial Abandonment and Conscience

"Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience."- President George Washington

What is Conscience

Many of us think of our conscience as the little angel that stands on our shoulder and urges us to do the right thing, while a demon stands on the other and tries to convince us to sin; however, our conscience is something God has given us.There are laws that are written on men's hearts universally, and we know they are wrong to violate. Many have suppressed these truths and tried to ignore them so long that God gives them over to a depraved mind, degrading passions, and to the lust of their hearts. (Rom 1:18-28)

Given Over

In R. C. Spoul's Commentary on Romans, he says of verses 22-25 in chapter 1, "Three times in this passage we read about human beings being given up by God. They are given up to their vile passions, tho lust of the flesh, and their reprobate minds. When God judges people according to the standard of His righteousness, He is declaring that He will not  strive with mankind forever. We hear all the time about God's infinite grace and mercy. I cringe when I hear it. God's mercy is infinite insofar as it is mercy bestowed on us by a Being who is infinite, but when the term infinite is used to describe His mercy rather than His person, I have a problem with it because the Bible makes very clear that there is a limit to God's mercy. There is a limit to His grace, and He is determined not to pour out his mercy on impenitent people forever. There is a time, as the Old Testament repeatedly reports, particularly in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, that God stops being gracious with people, and he gives them over to  their sin. The worst thing that can happen to sinners is to be allowed to go on sinning without any restraint." Sproul is not talking about the grace of God unto salvation, but God's common grace. We cannot loose our salvation; however, God gives people another grace called conscience. He placed this restraint upon us lovingly to spare us the consequences of committing these acts, but when we suppress the truth and will not acknowledge God, He finally removes all restraints.

Judicial Abandonment

Sproul continues,"At the end of the New Testament, in the book of revelation when the description of the last judgement is set forth, God says, 'He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still' (Rev 22:11). God gives people over to what they want. He abandons them to their sinful impulses and removes his  restraints, saying in essence,'If you want to sin, go ahead and sin.' this is what theologians call 'judicial abandonment.' God in his His just judgement abandons the impenitent sinner forever."

Unrestrained

Our conscience can be squelched. I believe this is why George Washington warned us not to go against it. It is a terrible thing to be left to do whatever you please without any restraint! Consider a lion for example. You probably would not go see one at the zoo if it where unrestrained. Why? Because lions by nature are carnivores, and you are considered fair game in their sight! When humans are unrestrained, we do what we do by nature too, namely, sin! Ephesians chapter two says that we are by nature children of wrath! The world would be a nightmare if God put no restraint upon people!

Without Excuse

Not only does your conscience know right from wrong, it also knows there is a God. All men know that God exists. Romans 1:19-21 says," because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." You will be without excuse on judgement day if you do not honor Him as God, because God "has made it evident to you" that He is God. Atheism is not the belief that there is no god, it is the suppression of the knowledge that there is.

Not Without Hope

We are all guilty of sin and are in desperate need of a savior because the wages of our sin is death. God's wrath against sin must be satisfied. God would not be good if He did not punish sin. We deserve hell, and that is where we will all go unless we believe in Christ and repent. The price for sin had to be paid, so Christ paid that price for us on the cross. He bore all of God's wrath in our place! Jesus says,  "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."(John 14:6) There is no other way to heaven! Trust in Christ for your righteousness! Ask him to forgive you today! You could die at any moment and be thrust into eternity. If you do this God will give you a new heart with desires to obey Him and eternal life. You will have to face God's righteous judgement! Only Christ' blood can pardon your sin! Call out to Him, and He will save you! (Originally posted on 2/6/13)

Unthinkable Forgiveness

The Unexpected Reunion

There she was. I could not believe my eyes! I had never thought I'd see her again, but she was standing in front of me! I was shocked and lost myself in the mixed emotions I felt from my past. It had been nine years, but I still remembered so many things. This woman had hurt me and many other students in my class. I had struggled with scars from this woman my whole life, and now I was staring into her eyes. Did she know the grief she had caused me? Did she know how much I had struggled? Had she changed? Did she even remember me? One million thoughts were running through my mind.  As I stood face to face with her, I stood face to face with all the past pain, memories, and struggles she had caused me. I looked into her face with sorrow, but not bitterness. I looked into her face with a smile and forgiveness. I looked into her face with a deep longing for her to know the one who had offered me unthinkable forgiveness and who enabled me to forgive her when the thought of forgiveness seemed unthinkable to me.

The Unexpected Blessing

I was too young to know how to handle her abuse and thought I must deserve it. When my parents found out what was going on, they removed me from the school. I remember to this day what my mom told me. She told me,"This can make you bitter, or this can make you better. This experience can help you or it can hurt you." She encouraged me to forgive her and to have compassion for her. She also encouraged me to let the experience shape me into a more compassionate person. 

I do not regret having the experience that I had in first grade. If I had never been hated, I would not understand true love. True love enables you to love your enemies and to pray for those who mistreat you. I would not be able to sympathize with others in the same way that I can now if I had not had those experiences. I know how it feels to be hated, and I am determined to love others with Christ' love. God has used what man intended for bad in my life to work together for my good. He has turned my pain into progress and my grief to gratefulness. 

The Unthinkable Forgiveness

Forgiveness seemed unthinkable to me until I thought about something. I had sinned against the God of the universe and violated His holy laws. My just penalty was to receive God's wrath, but He did the unthinkable! The creator of all things humbled himself and became like the creature! Jesus Christ, the one and only son of God, bore God's wrath in my place on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin! Philippians 2:5-8 says ^"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." This forgiveness is incomprehensible and incredible!

The Unthinkable Empowerment
Because I have been forgiven everything, I can forgive anything! In Matthew 18:21-35 we read, ^"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus *said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

 ^'For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.  When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.  But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and beganto choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.  So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

The Unthinkable Offer

Have you been forgiven for your sins against God? The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The Bible also says the wages of sin is death. We are all going to be judged by God and we will either get our just wage of death, or we will receive His mercy if we have been forgiven through his blood. Call out to Him, and He will save You! God offers you unthinkable forgiveness! If you trust Christ, God will grant you eternal life and give you a new heart. He will give you the power to forgive the unthinkable!

The Pursuit of Happiness

What's He Searching For?

What is man searching for?  He is pursuing happiness. Yes, this is what I see man searching for. He looks for something to fill the deep emptiness inside of himself. He is constantly consuming but is never able to satisfy his void.

What Does He Need?

Christians often try to address man's felt need for happiness and offer God as the solution to man's emptiness. Happiness is not man's true need though, salvation is.  Peace and joy are legitimate outcomes of salvation; however, Christians will have trials, tribulations, and persecution in this life. It's true that God fills the longing soul, but that is not why we need Him. We need him because we are sinners. We are separated from God because of our sin. We need a right standing with God. Man's greatest need is holiness not happiness! We are all going to die and face God on judgement day. It will not  matter how happy you were in your lifetime. All that will matter on judgement day is if you have been made righteous by the blood of Christ.

Why Should We Share the Gospel?

Sinners can be happy in their sin. They can find gratification from sinning. Eve was not forced to eat the forbidden fruit but did so for her own momentary pleasure. Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat the fruit because it would cause death and separation from God. It was not because it would be unpleasant and they wouldn't be happy. Man does not need God in order to be happy. Man needs God in order to be holy! We need to share the gospel with people because they have sinned and are unrighteous in God's sight. They are headed for hell and their only escape is Jesus Christ. This should be the reason we give a sinner for why they need salvation. The issue is not happiness but holiness and righteousness. It is not this moment but eternity. It is not their life but their death. We must share the gospel! (Originally posted on 1/7/13)

Judicial Abandonment and Conscience

"Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience."- President George Washington

What is Conscience
Many of us think of our conscience as the little angel that stands on our shoulder and urges us to do the right thing, while a demon stands on the other and tries to convince us to sin; however, our conscience is something God has given us. There are laws that are written on men's hearts universally, and we know they are wrong to violate. Many have suppressed these truths and tried to ignore them so long that God gives them over to a depraved mind, degrading passions, and to the lust of their hearts. (Rom 1:18-28)

Given Over
In R. C. Sproul's commentary on Romans, he says of verses 22-25 in chapter 1, "Three times in this passage we read about human beings being given up by God. They are given up to their vile passions, to lust of the flesh, and their reprobate minds. When God judges people according to the standard of His righteousness, He is declaring that He will not  strive with mankind forever. We hear all the time about God's infinite grace and mercy. I cringe when I hear it. God's mercy is infinite insofar as it is mercy bestowed on us by a Being who is infinite, but when the term infinite is used to describe His mercy rather than His person, I have a problem with it because the Bible makes very clear that there is a limit to God's mercy. There is a limit to His grace, and He is determined not to pour out his mercy on impenitent people forever. There is a time, as the Old Testament repeatedly reports, particularly in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, that God stops being gracious with people, and he gives them over to  their sin. The worst thing that can happen to sinners is to be allowed to go on sinning without any restraint." Sproul is not talking about the grace of God unto salvation, but God's common grace. We cannot loose our salvation; however, God gives people another grace called conscience. He placed this restraint upon us lovingly to spare us the consequences of committing these acts, but when we suppress the truth and will not acknowledge God, He finally removes all restraints.

Judicial Abandonment
Sproul continues,"At the end of the New Testament, in the book of revelation when the description of the last judgement is set forth, God says, 'He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still' (Rev 22:11). God gives people over to what they want. He abandons them to their sinful impulses and removes his  restraints, saying in essence,'If you want to sin, go ahead and sin.' this is what theologians call 'judicial abandonment.' God in his His just judgement abandons the impenitent sinner forever."

Unrestrained
Our conscience can be squelched. I believe this is why George Washington warned us not to go against it. It is a terrible thing to be left to do whatever you please without any restraint! Consider a lion for example. You probably would not go see one at the zoo if it where unrestrained. Why? Because lions by nature are carnivores, and you are considered fair game in their sight! When humans are unrestrained, we do what we do by nature too, namely, sin! Ephesians chapter two says that we are by nature children of wrath! The world would be a nightmare if God put no restraint upon people!

Without Excuse
Not only does your conscience know right from wrong, it also knows there is a God. All men know that God exists. Romans 1:19-21 says, "Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." You will be without excuse on judgement day if you do not honor Him as God, because God "has made it evident to you" that He is God. Atheism is not the belief that there is no god, it is the suppression of the knowledge that there is.

Not Without Hope
We are all guilty of sin and are in desperate need of a savior because the wages of our sin is death. God's wrath against sin must be satisfied. God would not be good if He did not punish sin. We deserve hell, and that is where we will all go unless we believe in Christ and repent. The price for sin had to be paid, so Christ paid that price for us on the cross. He bore all of God's wrath in our place! Jesus says, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."(John 14:6) There is no other way to heaven! Trust in Christ for your righteousness! Ask him to forgive you today! You could die at any moment and be thrust into eternity. If you do this God will give you a new heart with desires to obey Him and eternal life. You will have to face God's righteous judgement! Only Christ' blood can pardon your sin! Call out to Him, and He will save you!

Warning America!

If you are living in America, you are living in the most wealthy and prosperous nation in the world. Many Americans do not consider themselves to be rich. In fact many people who are on government aid here would be considered rich in other places of the world. So what is the Biblical definition of wealth? 

Are you Rich?

In the book of 1 Timothy in chapter 6 verse 8 we read, "If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." If we have these things we are not lacking, but our media has convinced many that to have enough you must buy your kids each a car at 16, send them to nice colleges, live in a large house, take a vacation every year, etc. The biblical definition of necessities is food and covering (which can include shelter). Anything more than that is an abundance and it is wealth. 

Are Riches Bad?

There is nothing wrong with riches, but it is wrong to trust in your riches and not be content with what you have. In 1 Timothy 6:17 we read, "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy." Scripture warns us not to fix our hope on our riches but on God; however, having an abundance is not wrong.

Warnings to the Wealthy

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 8:10-20

A Camel and a Needle's Eye

This passage is a warning to those who have an abundance. We are warned because we have a tendency to forget God when when we think we no longer need Him. Jesus said it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for the camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is hard for rich men to see their need for a savior. What they don't realize is that they need God for everything including their daily bread. We must be very careful not to say or think,"My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth."

What Do You Cling To?
Remember, every good and perfect gift is from God, everything belongs to Him, and you can not take your riches with you when you die. Most Americans have an abundance. Chances are, that you do too. Do not trust in your wealth! It will crumble in the day of judgement and leave you empty-handed. Cling to Christ! "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Mathew 6:19-21) "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."(Colossians 3:2)

Death

"I'm dying! Quick! Save me!" I could hear my brother saying from the other room. My siblings like to play like they are fire-fighters. They will lock a door and then try to get in by using a hair pin or a little key to "rescue" the person in the burning building. A little bit latter I could hear my two year old brother trying to play the game too. He said "I Dyee!" It was very cute! The truth is though, that everyone really will die. Hebrews 9:27b says,"it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement." We will all have to stand  before God and give an account for every word, thought and deed we have ever done. The standard we will be judged by is God's law. Take this quick test to see how you will do on judgement day.

The Test:
*Have you ever told a lie? Even if it was a "white lie".
Scripture says that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. (Rev 21:8)

*Have you ever stolen anything? Regardless of its value? Listen to your conscience.
Thieves will not inherit the kingdom of god according to the bible. (1 Cor 6:10)


*Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word to express disgust? This is called blasphemy and is a serious sin. The Bible says that God will not hold anyone guiltless who takes his name in vain. (Ex 20:7)

* Have you ever looked with lust? Jesus said who whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart and it is breaking one of the ten commandments. (Mat 5:28) (Ex 20:14)

*Have you ever hated anyone? The Bible says whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and that breaks the sixth commandment. (1John 3:15, Exodus 20:13)

*Have you always honored and your parents implicitly? Dishonoring your parents is a sin. (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:2)

Innocent or Guilty?

These are only six of the ten commandments that we have looked at. How did you do? Will you be innocent or guilty on judgement day? We are all guilty of breaking God's law! According to scripture no one is righteous. We will all be found guilty on judgement day. Romans 3:10 says, "There is none righteous, not even one;". The Bible also says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,". The law will not help you it will just leave you helpless and guilty before a Holy God exposing your sins. So what are the wages of sin? What happens when we are tried and found guilty? Scripture says the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).

Judgement

And so we are back to our topic, namely, death. We will all die and then we will be judged (Acts 17:31). After this some will go away to eternal judgement, but the righteous to eternal life. (Daniel 12:2) (Matthew 25:46) (Mark 9:48) So who can be saved if "no one righteous"?

Good News!

 ^{1 Corinthians 5:21 says, "}He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for or sin, we can be forgiven and made righteous through faith in him. 

God cannot overlook our sins because  He is a righteous judge. Justice had to be served. That is why Jesus paid the price for our sins. He died so that he could give us mercy. He died so that we could live. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;" Because of God's grace we can be saved through faith in Christ. Trust in Christ alone for your righteousness. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but through me." (John14:6) Also Acts 4:12 says " and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

You can only be saved through faith in Christ! When you put your faith in Christ, God gives you His righteousness's and a new heart. True faith is always accompanied by repententance. Scripture says even the demons believe that God is one. Yet the Holy spirit does not dwell in them. Trust Christ and repent, and God will fill you with his Holy Spirit and give you a new heart!

You Can't Buy Insurance for Tomorrow

I think one day I'll meet the man
I've prayed for, and we'll united.
I think we'll buy a piece of land
And start our own home site.

I think we'll have many children
Who will run around my house.
I think God will graciously save them,
And they'll one day meet a spouse.

I think I will have many grandchildren,
And they'll ask what I believe.
I'll share the gospel with them, and then
I'll pray they will receive.

I that think I will watch them grow
And even raise their babies.
I think these things, but I can't know.
God may have other plans for me.

I think that I will live to be
As old as one hundred years.
I'll think that I'll be all wrinkly,
And may loose my ability to hear.

But God may have planned that I'd die
After one more year's gone by.
Maybe my life will be much harder.
Maybe He's planned I'll die a Martyr.

What if he wants to show his power
 In teaching me how weak I am.
Pain might teach to trust each hour
I may walk alone in this land.

I may not live until tomorrow!
I may die this very night!
There is no time that I can borrow!
No time to rest during this fight.

Christ could return before I die.
I want to be faithful in His sight.
We may not have much more time.
Christ will return as a thief in the night.

How old do you think you will live to be?
How long do you think you'll live?
You'll find you'll live accordingly
Wasting time if there's time to give.

You can't insure time on this earth,
But be sure if you trust Christ
He'll give you second birth.
In Him there's insurance for life.

Trust Christ and don't waste today counting on tomorrow.


Our Condition
*We are guilty before God of breaking his laws. (Romans 3:23)
* The just sentence for our sins,law breaking, is death. (Romans 6:23)
* We will go to "court" and stand before a righteous judge. (Hebrews 9:27)
* He cannot overlook our sins justice must be satisfied. (Isaiah 45:21)

Breaking News
BUT GOD IS MERCIFUL AND NOT JUST, JUST! How can God be both just (which is giving us what we deserve, hell) and merciful (which is giving us what we don't deserve, heaven) at the same time? He satisfied justice for us. The price still had to be paid, but He paid it in full for those who repent and place their faith in Him! By Jesus' death on the cross, He took our guilt upon Himself, He satisfied God's wrath against sinners, and He made a way to righteousness for us.  Righteousness means a right standing with God, the Judge. Jesus is the only way to salvation! (John14:6, Acts 4:12) If you put your faith in Christ and ask him to forgive you, you will be saved!( John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8, Acts 16:31)

Faith and Repentance are Inseparable
True faith is trusting in Christ alone for your righteousness, and it is always accompanied by repentance (forsaking and hating your sins and submitting to God). You will still sin sometimes as a Christian, but if you confess your sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9) However, there is a difference between believing in God's existence and true faith. James 2:19 says " You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shutter." Even Satan and the demons believe in God's existence, but they do not have a surrendered heart to Him. When you are saved, God gives you his Holy spirit to dwell in you. The holy spirit gives you power to overcome sin. Demons do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. You are not saved by turning from your sins, but turning from your sins is a result of salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God's glory alone.

Your Servant in Christ,

Dallas