Roadblocks to Heaven!

Each of us is traveling a roadway in life. Although polls indicate that most people think that they will go to heaven, some few admit that they are actually going to hell!  Sadly, such people seem to have little or no comprehension of how utterly horrible such a destination will be!

But most people do think they are going to heaven. Sadly, this would include vast numbers of people who are knowingly living in sin! It includes people who believe all sorts of false things, most are enmeshed in false religions, and others have little interest in “religion” or seldom even think of heaven! Most don’t claim to have been spiritually born again, or saved, and others don’t regularly seek God’s forgiveness. How deceived!

If we are walking a “pathway” to our ultimate destination, are there any barriers to reaching heaven? We might consider these barriers to be “roadblocks” along the way that would keep us from God’s welcome.

You may be surprised that there are any roadblocks at all since vast numbers of people are “universalist” in their thinking. That is, most people seem to think that nearly everyone will go to heaven when they die. They may doubt that Hitler, Mussolini, or Stalin will enter heaven, but they assume that most others will go. It seems that the typical funeral contributes to this faulty belief.

What’s wrong with this scenario?  The Word of God clearly says that very few will be received by God one day; most will be rejected. Jesus said that many will enter the “wide” gate of life and walk the “broad” way, but it is a way that “leads to destruction.” On the other hand, few will enter the “narrow” gate of life and walk the “narrow” way, but this is the very way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14). The Bible also says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). How many people sin? We read that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (3:23). Thus, instead of most people going to heaven, in reality, most people will be rejected and never enter that blessed and joyful eternal rest! (Revelation 14:10-13).

A Sampling of Sins

We’ve pointed out that if a person sins, he simply cannot enter the eternal joy and peace of heaven. (We’ll later mention an exception to this general rule.) But you may wonder what we mean by sin. Just what sins will block one from entering heaven?  What barriers might exist for a person as he travels the pathway of life? Let’s notice some of them.  Many places in the Bible offer lists of sins that will keep a person from that Heavenly Home. Let’s look at some of the prominent ones.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we read this question: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” We then have a list of sins that will keep a person from entering “the kingdom of God.” What are some of these fatal sins? We read this, “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators….” Let’s begin with the first “roadblock” and then go on to some others:

Fornication. This is a term that is seldom used today. People seem to prefer “premarital sexual relations” or “extramarital relations.” It refers to any sexual immorality, any sexual relations that are not found within an honorable marriage. This is taking the “gift” of sex and marriage and using them in a way your Creator never accepts. He finds this sexual abuse particularly sinful. Have you ever committed this sort of sex sin? Have you committed sexual relations without being married to the other person? If so, you cannot enter the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:19-21). You must face the awful judgment of God (Hebrews 13:4).

Idolatry. This is the second sin in the list (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This means making, worshiping, and serving a false “god” or an “idol.” We all know that Hindus, Buddhists, and some might say Catholics (who “worship” Mary and Catholic “saints”) are idolaters—and this may be true. All of this will prevent one from entering heaven to be with God forever. However, there is a more subtle form of idolatry that people seem to overlook. We can make anything into a “god” or object of devotion—a house, a car, sports, education, music, a spouse, a son or daughter, health, food, and many other things. These false “gods” will keep you from heaven!

Adultery. This is the third sin in the list. It comes in three forms. First, if one is legitimately married but goes after another man or woman instead of the rightful husband or wife, this is adultery! Second, if one divorces a legitimate spouse on grounds other than his or her adultery, that person then commits adultery. Jesus declared, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). He also said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery” (Mark 10:11-12). This has become a very common form of adultery and sin in our day. This too will keep you out of heaven! The third form of adultery is mental adultery or lust. Jesus said for one to “lust” for the opposite sex, he or she has “committed adultery” in the heart (Matthew 5:27-28). Could it be that even now, you are in some sort of adulterous relationship?

Effeminacy and Homosexuality. This, found at 1 Corinthians 6:9, probably is a reference to a sin that dominates at least 2 percent of the American public in our day—and as many as 10 percent have dabbled in it. Obviously, this is the sin in which a man has sex with another man or a woman has sex with another woman. The Bible says, “God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Romans 1:26-27). Regardless of its prevalence, God says that this sin is unnatural, is a perversion of God’s right way, and will keep one from His eternal Kingdom! Interestingly, sodomites like to refer to people who have normal sexual relationships as being “straight,” which would mean that they are “crooked”! God severely condemns “crooked and perverse” people (Philippians 2:15).

Thievery. When a person takes what doesn’t belong to him, he is guilty of theft. The Bible says, “He who steals must steal no longer” (Ephesians 4:28). Have you ever taken something that didn’t belong to you? Have you ever stolen even something small—a pen, a tool, food, or even time—from your employer? Have you taken something from a parent, a brother, or a sister? You must one day face God in judgment for all forms of stealing!

Coveting. This ever-popular sin is likewise condemned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. This refers to greed or desiring what doesn’t belong to you. Even if you don’t actually steal an item, if you earnestly desire what doesn’t belong to you—a car, a house, a job, money, a husband, a wife, an athletic award, or much more—you must give an account for your coveting spirit (Mark 7:21-23)!

Drunkenness. This sin will also keep one from entering God’s blessed Kingdom! While this may not be a sin that everyone battles, we do know that there are millions who will need to give an account for their intoxication. Whether we speak of weekend binges or regular intoxication, the sin of drunkenness will send many to hell.

Reviling. This sin of slander or speaking evil of others is an exceedingly common one that the majority have fallen into, either occasionally or regularly. How often have you heard others “run down” another person? How often have you, personally, don’t this? Although folks have spoken evil of others again and again, this sin will also keep one from the Lord’s coming Kingdom.

Swindling. Whether this may be a large or a small sin, as people reckon it, there are some who fall into the sin of swindling. It means “to cheat out of money or other assets,” or “to obtain by fraud or deceit” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary). Have you been guilty of swindling—in large matters or smaller ones? This too will prevent many people from entering God’s kingdom.

Many Other Sins Condemn

The Bible mentions dozens of other sins that will keep one out of heaven! We are not to take this lightly or pass it off as inconsequential! This is not a fairy tale but God’s truth that will confront every single person in the future. Let’s notice several other sins and, as we do so, ask yourself if you have ever committed them!

Sensuality. Scripture says that those guilty of this sin “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). It refers to “debauchery, lewdness, sensuality” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary). In our day, we might know this as online pornography, pornography in print, wild parties, lewd magazines, as well as many TV programs and movies. It is a common sin in our day—and it will send millions to hell!

Sorcery. This term, taken from pharmakia, indicates not only sorcery, but “the use of drugs, whether simple or potent,” and “was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). With the widespread use of drugs in our day and involvement in the occult, including horoscopes, we can see that this is a common sin of which many people are guilty. Vast numbers will need to give an account to God for this sin and it will prevent them from entering God’s marvelous Kingdom!

Jealousy.  Have you ever been jealous of another person for their position in life or their advantage over you?  Have you been bitter because of another’s acceptance and your rejection? Maybe you have been jealous of a boyfriend or gidlfriend. This sin, condemned in Galatians 5:20 (and Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:20), is one that overcomes great numbers of people and will bring millions to the judgment!

Anger. How common is this sin!  Do you occasionally or regularly become angry at other people, objects, or situations? We read that those guilty of “outbursts of anger” “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:20-21). The Lord says that “everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court” and this amounts to the sin of murder (Matthew 5:21-22). An angry spirit is opposed to the gracious attitude that we are to manifest (Ephesians 4:31).

Carousing. This is a sin (also translated “orgies”) that often comes at times of drinking, at drinking parties, or during athletic events. We might think of Mardi Gras or perhaps the sodomite (homosexual) “gay pride” parades, but this sin may occur at any time and in any place. Have you ever participated in such a sin?

Unbelief. God is very clear that “he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Anyone who refuses to believe in God, believe in Christ, believe in the gospel (good news) or Christ, or believe in the Word of God, is in terrible trouble! No one who refuses to believe the truth of God can be saved. Rather, he or she will be condemned. Scripture says that the “unbelieving” will be sent to “the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8.

Murder. Most people will adamantly say that they have never committed murder! However, when we look at the real meaning of murder, you might be surprised. We read, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murder has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). This means that if you hate someone, inwardly God considers you a murderer! You have “killed” the person you hate!  The murderer is “worthy of death” before God (Romans 1:29, 32; 2:2). Scripture says that all murderers will be sent to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). Thus, whether you “kill” a person with hatred, or literally kill your baby while in the womb (over 50 million children have been murdered before birth in America!), you are a murderer and must face the terrible wrath of God one great Day!

Lying. Polls indicate that nearly everyone has lied and many continue to lie regularly. It is a part of their nature!  Lying and deception are commonplace, but remember that “all liars” will have a part in hell, the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8; 21:27; 22:15). The Bible says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 12:22a). Satan “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44), thus anyone who lies aligns himself with the devil! If you are a liar, run from this sin as fast as you can!

Greed. The sin of greed is another one that will condemn you and all who are guilty of this sin. Those who are greedy are “worthy of death” and will receive the “judgment of God” (Romans 1:29, 32; 2:2). This term, pleonexia, means “greed, covetousness.” Generally it denotes “a desire for material possessions” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary), although it can also be a greed for sexual immorality (Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 2 Peter 2:14). In regard to material things, have you earnestly desired more money, a luxurious house, a fine car, an athletic award, and other material abundance? In a world where billions don’t have sufficient, can you really live like a king? In a world where billions need to learn of salvation through Christ, can you conscientiously use your money for personal aggrandizement and earthly pleasure?

Impurity.  Uncleanness or impurity, from akatharsia, refers to “a state of moral corruption” and is “often associated with sexual sins.” It is associated “in conjunction with ‘sexual sin’ (2 Corinthians 12:21), ‘sexual immorality’ (Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5), and ‘sensuality’ (Ephesians 4:19” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary). Obviously, we are living in a day and place where the “uncleanness” or “impurity” of sexual immorality is rampant! This would include fornication, premarital sex, petting, pornography, sexual music, and much more! No one who is impure can inherit God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21)!

Pride and Boasting. We all know that these sins are found all around us—and maybe within us! People take pride in their appearance, in their accomplishments, their possessions, their intellect, and their friends. Then they boast in all for which they are proud! Jesus said that pride is an “evil thing” that proceeds “from within” and defiles a person (Mark 7:22-23). Paul points out that arrogance and boasting are sins “worthy of death” and will bring “the judgment of God” (Romans 1:30, 32; 2:2). Such sins as arrogance, boastfulness, and conceit are characteristics of the “difficult times” of “the last days” and are that which God hates (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Hypocrisy. This is pretending to be good and righteous when the heart is evil and wicked. Jesus pointed out how common this sin is and how serious is its condemnation. He said that the Pharisees were “full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:28). Again and again, He condemned them for this sin (vv. 13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29). He said to beware of hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). Peter said that we must put aside hypocrisy as well as other sins (1 Peter 2:1). Those guilty of hypocrisy will be condemned (Matthew 24:51).

Lovelessness. In reality, this sin is the negation of love, one of the highest virtues found in the Bible. In fact, love for God and love for others are the two chief commands or duties in life (Mark 12:28-31). Many dozens of passages show the extreme importance of living a life of love for God, for Christ, for fellow-believers, and even for enemies (John 13:34-35; Luke 6:27-28). Then what about a lack of love? “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22). If God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), then lack of love is hatred and ungodliness!

Other Sins

These are not the only sins that bar a person from the eternal presence of God in heaven. Many more are mentioned in Scripture.  Most of the ones we have mentioned above are sins of commission, sins that we do or participate in. On the other hand, there are sins of omission—in which we omit doing many things that God requires that we do.

For example, God wants us to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to give to others in need (Matthew 25:34-40), to sing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19), to read God’s Word (Psalm 119:97; Acts 17:11), to meditate on God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3), and to confess Jesus before others (Matthew 10:32). As James says, “To one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Therefore, whether we do what we should not do or fail to do what we should do, we fall into sin. Wouldn’t you say that sin is a major problem that will eternally condemn most of the world’s population!

A Sinful Heart

Maybe we can see now that we have a serious problem—that of individual acts of sin as well as an inner heart or attitude of sin. You know what I mean by this, don’t you? God says that “the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This means that we have a deceitful heart. And our heart is “desperately sick,” so much so that we just can’t fully understand it.

We need help! We are “helpless” and hopeless in ourselves (Romans 5:6). We just can’t lift ourselves up by ourselves. We need the help of the One who knows us more thoroughly than anyone else. Since God created us, He is the One who knows us and is able to come to our rescue to deliver us from this dilemma of sin.

The Terrible Result of Sin

It has been said that all of the major world religions—except Christianity—have a basic misconception. They all think that we have the power in ourselves to rescue ourselves from sin’s grasp and somehow do enough good to make it to heaven. In other words, if we do enough of the good and if we avoid the bad, God (or whatever conception they have of a Higher Power) is obligated to take us to a “better place” after death. Large numbers of professing “Christians” are also under this delusion.

Millions think that in the Judgment God will somehow “weigh” our good deeds and our bad deeds, and whichever weighs more will determine whether we are accepted or rejected by God the Judge! This may have a place in Islamic theology, but it is utterly opposed to the truth of Scripture! It won’t be like this at all. You must give an account for any unforgiven sin! “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). “God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Suppose that you broke the law by driving 70 mph in a 30 mph school zone, and the police saw and stopped you. Then you appear before the Judge and explain that you always pay your taxes, you volunteer at the nursing home, you are a nice neighbor, and you have never shoplifted. He may commend you for your “good” deeds, but what would he say about your reckless driving far over the speed limit in the school zone? You would need to pay for the bad driving!

To change the figure, suppose that you were a terrorist and killed 50 people, then were caught by the police. Should you pay a $10 fine and then go free? Suppose you admitted your criminal “mistake” and asked for leniency. Would the Judge be justified in granting your freedom? No, he should penalize you for a wicked crime and, hopefully, sentence you to execution.

Now suppose you sin against our Creator and the Ruler of the universe, by breaking His immutable laws countless times. If you were a Muslim or a Jew, you might say that God will forgive you if you are sorry for what you did and tell God that you will try to keep from sinning against Him in the future. Would that be sufficient to release you? Millions of professing “Christians” would also say the same—“just feel sorry for your wrongdoings and ask God to forgive you!” But we know that this just wouldn’t work.

You see, Almighty God is the “Holy One” and is absolutely holy, sinless, and pure (1 Peter 1:15).  This means that He is separated from sin in all of its forms. He is “majestic in holiness” (Exodus 15:11). Further, God is not only holy but also just or righteous. Scripture says that “all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Because He is just and righteous, His very nature demands that He respond rightly to all sin, all offence that is against His holy character.

Scripture says that we are sinners through and through. We haven’t just sinned ten or twenty times (as terrible as this would be), but we’ve sinned countless times. If you were to sin only three times a day (in thought, word, attitude, or deed), that would amount to 1,000 sins in a year or 10,000 sins in a ten year span! Would this impress God? Every last sin must be dealt with in some way!

But some people sin by using bad language 100 times a day. That would be 36,500 sins in a year! Or 365,000 sins in ten years! If a man smokes a pack of cigarettes each day, that would be 20 sins a day, or 7,300 sins in a year, and 73,000 sins in a ten year period! How can we get rid of such a massive number of sins?

This background helps us to understand why so often in Scripture we read about the anger or wrath of God! We read that “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). Therefore, “it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31). How does God respond to our sin?  “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

Using symbolic language, Scripture says that those in sin “will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger” (Revelation 14:10). This “fierce wrath of God the Almighty” (19:15) will come on those who have sinned during their life and haven’t obtained forgiveness.

But how can God forgive our sins? Does He just decide to grant clemency and wipe our sins away? No, He can’t and won’t do this for it would violate His holiness and justice that requires that our sins be paid. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). The Bible says, “Death spread to all men, because all sinned” (5:12b). “When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:15b).

Sadly, the vast majority of people just don’t know how serious their spiritual condition is! When you sin, you are “dead in your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). We are “dead in our transgressions” (v. 5). Because of our sins, we are “separate from Christ” and “without God in the world” (2:12). All of us are “alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21). In summary, because of our sins, we are spiritually dead, we are separated from God, we are under God’s righteous wrath, and we must pay our “sin debt” through all eternity in a place called “hell” or “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41, 46).

Is There a Remedy to the Sin Problem?

We’ve seen that sin is the major, all-encompassing problem that we all face. As we noticed, in countless places, God tells us that sin will definitely keep the majority of us out of His eternal presence in heaven. The opposite is true. Nearly everyone will be sent to hell, otherwise known as eternal destruction or the lake of fire.

Jesus, the Great Judge, will solemnly tell people, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). And “these will go away into eternal punishment” (v. 46a). The Lord warns, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21-23).

This coming doom is so terrifying that we read that this destiny is called “the furnace of fire” and “in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (13:42, 50). We read of a coming “retribution” and “the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). You may think that we’ve belabored this point, but we wanted to cover this fully enough so that we might bring to our consciousness the dreadful destruction and punishment that awaits those who are still in their unforgiven sin.

The Solution

But what is the remedy or solution to this horrible future that will befall most people? It is this: God, in His marvelous love, provided for our rescue! Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a), what if God were willing to pay the wages to someone other than you and me? To change the figure, sin has a price—the price of death. What if God was willing to pay the price Himself, the price of death? What would be the result of this marvelous heavenly transaction?

The Bible gives us “good news” (called the “gospel”) that Christ “died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Notice this carefully. Instead of our needing to pay the price of our own sins, Jesus Christ was willing to die for sins—die for our sins—and He did this “once for all.” Since Christ paid an infinite price in dying for us, He alone could die for every person who has ever lived and this death would be unrepeatable.  How could He do this? He did so because He was “just” or righteous, but He died for us—the “unjust” or the unrighteous. And the result? Christ was able to “bring us to God”—which is what the Bible means by reconciliation.

Let’s see how this amazing and critical transaction is explained numerous places in Scripture. Peter says that “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross” (1 Peter 2:24). When Jesus died on the cross, He “bore our sins in His body,” or He carried our sins to the cross. When He hung on the cross, all of your sins and all of my sins were placed on the righteous, sinless Son of God, and He paid the price of those sins by dying for them! This means that we are able to be free of condemnation because of His sacrificial death on the cross (Romans 8:1).

Thus, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) when He “died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). He loved us so much that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8). Do you remember how we mentioned that God’s wrath rests on those who are guilty of sin (Romans 1:18)? Because Jesus dealt with our sins, we read that we can be “justified by His blood,” and “shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (5:9). Not only are we delivered from the righteous, burning wrath of God, but through His saving death on the cross, we are also saved from the separation from God that our sins earned. Now, we can be “reconciled to God through the death of His Son” and we shall be “saved by His life” (v. 10).

Not only did Christ suffer and die on the cross to bear our sins in His body, but God raised Him from the dead by means of a wondrous life-giving resurrection! Jesus not only died, but He came to life again! “Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). “Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Romans 14:9). Peter charged certain people of his day, “You nailed [Jesus] to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:23-24). Thus, the good news is that Jesus died for our sins and He also was raised from the dead to new life, “the first fruits of those who are asleep [dead]” (1 Corinthians 15:20; cf. vv. 3-4).

Spiritual Blessings through Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Because the Lord Jesus was willing to pay the price of our sins, He is able to offer to you and me and all people certain benefits! Consider a few of these:

• We can be “redeemed” (or bought and purchased) with the “precious blood” of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
• We can be “reconciled to God” through the death of Christ (Romans 5:10).
• We may be reconciled in Christ’s fleshly body through death that we may come before Him (Colossians 1:22).
• We may be “justified [declared righteous] as a gift by His grace” through Christ’s redemptive death (Romans 3:24).
• Satan is “rendered powerless” through Christ’s death (Hebrews 2:9, 14).
• Christ made “propitiation” through His death, or He appeased the wrath of God on our behalf (Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).
• Christ offers “sanctification” (a setting apart from sin and the world to God) through His death on the cross (Hebrews 13:12).

We know that the Lord Jesus not only died but also rose from the dead, He is also able to offer eternal life and His intercession with the Father. “He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Christ declared, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). We also read, “As in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). When the Lord Jesus was resurrected from the grave (just as He had said), the benefits of His death were validated or became effective and available! Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and also for the spiritual blessings that He graciously offers!

What Must We Do?

Sometimes we hear a person say, “There is nothing that we can do or must do to be saved from sin!” How wrong! How confused! If someone offered you a check for a million dollars, you could do nothing to “earn” or “deserve” the million dollars. However, is there anything that you must “do” if you would receive this amount of money? Yes, you would need to receive the gift! You would need to take the check to the bank and co-sign the check. You would need to hold out your hand and receive the million dollars. None of these elements of your response are attempts to merit the money for it was a gift and remained a gift. But there definitely was something that you must do!

The Bible says that salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Eternal life is a gift (Romans 6:23). The Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38). Righteousness is a gift (Romans 5:17). These salvation gifts are offered to us freely, without cost, because the Lord Jesus already suffered and died on the cross to “pay” for such gifts.

But is there nothing that you must do to receive the gift of salvation? Not at all. We are only beggars who extend our hand to receive the gift that is offered by the grace of God! “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). When we receive the Lord Jesus, we receive the eternal life that is found in Christ! God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Receiving the Gift

How then do we come to Christ and enter into a saving relationship with Him? We’ve already been sobered by the realization that, because of our personal sin, we are separated from God, dead in sin, and condemned to spend eternity apart from God! And we’ve also been blessed with the good news that our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s dear Son, was willing to suffer and die on the cross for our sins (and those of the whole world), and He was raised from the dead in the resurrection.  How then do we receive the gifts of salvation and eternal life?

Speaking of general principles, God tells us how we may be saved from sin—personally. “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” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God saves us by grace, on His part, and we respond to His active love through faith, on our part! God offers the gift of salvation and we respond to Him and Christ Jesus through faith in Him or trust in Christ’s saving death. Many dozens of places repeat this need to believe in God through Christ Jesus.

For instance, one of the most beloved passages in the Bible says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already . . .” (John 3:16-18a, ESV). We escape the judgment that brings condemnation when we believe in God and in Jesus Christ! We can do nothing to merit eternal life, but we can accept this life that is in Jesus the Son (cf. 1 John 5:11-13). See also John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:34-35; 5:1.

But remember that our sins bring a person into God’s judgment and condemnation, and we must do something in regard to those sins that we noticed at the very beginning. They are what separate us from God and will send us to hell—unless we can find and apply God’s remedy for those sins. If you discover that you have been consuming a poison and slowing killing yourself, and you wanted to get well, what would you to? You would repent of taking the poison and immediately stop consuming it!

If our heart has been corrupted by the poison of sin, let’s not think it strange that we would need to repent of the sin and stop taking it! As Paul wrote, “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning” (1 Corinthians 15:34). We need to repent of all of our sins and stop sinning—in thought, word, attitude, and deed! Jesus said that unless we repent, we will perish (Luke 13:3, 5). We need to submit to “repentance for forgiveness of sins” if we expect to find God’s mercy for our sins (Luke 24:47). Have you repented of all of your sins? If not, you can’t expect to be forgiven by the Lord. Repentance is the only way of escape! We need to repent and “flee from the wrath to come” (Luke 3:7), and need to submit to “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (v. 3). Have you done this?

This faith in Christ and repentance of sin are brought together in the meaningful act of baptism (immersion in water). The Bible speaks of “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), and this is manifested in the act of baptism. We repent of our sins and “die” to sin, and we rise from baptism to walk a new life! Notice: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4; cf. Colossians 2:11-13). Have you “died” to all of your sins and been “raised” to live a new life in Christ Jesus?

Notice how God brings repentance and baptism together in our response to the Lord Jesus: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in[to] the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In the words of Ananias, “Now who do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). Thus, if you are anxious to escape your sins and find salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ, be willing to turn away from all your sins in repentance, place your faith in Jesus Christ and His saving death, confess Jesus as your Lord, and be baptized into Christ and His death. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Living a Holy, Righteous, and God-filled Life!

At the beginning we discussed the fact that most of the world population are living in various sins. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46). As you recall, we mentioned such sins as lust, greed, anger, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, theft, drunkenness, lying, slander, and sorcery. There are dozens of other forms of sins, but this brought the whole sin problem to the fore and made us aware that we needed to do something to solve this dilemma—or we would forever be cast off in hell!

When we repent of our sins, we begin to live a holy and righteous life! Since Jesus Christ died for our sins, the result is that “we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). We are commanded to not “go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). Isn’t this what we really want? We want to escape the “poison” of sin and find righteousness. We want to change our attitude toward sin and side with God by becoming like Him in His righteous character.

Our Life May Soon be Over

In a large city like where I live, dozens of people may die every day. Smiling faces are scattered across the newspaper obituary pages, showing people who were once alive, but some of them died unexpectedly while others died a long and painful death. Either way, they are all gone—hundreds of them and thousands of them. One day you and I will be among this number. You and I must also die! If we are unprepared, we will go to where we must eternally pay the penalty of our sins—death and hell. If we are prepared, we will finally go to that eternal home of God that Christ is preparing for His faithful ones. (Matthew 25:31-34, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; John 14:1-4). What will it be for you?