Weekly Devotional 3-24-25 Are You Going to Heaven?
There are many people today who do not really think about their salvation but they have a certain religious interest. They have been baptized as an infant, confirmed, or go to Mass. Most have their own church that they are affiliated with. Nevertheless, they ignore the real issue of salvation and hope in the end that everything will turn out all right for them in eternity.
Scripture tells us that everybody who is planning to go to Heaven will not arrive there. Jesus said only the few will enter Heaven. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to (eternal) life, and there are few who find it.” These verses also have an application to the gospel by depicting the two roads and destinies of the human race. Simply, if you choose the easy way, the wide road, the way of the world, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God’s best for you – Heaven. Oscar Leske – Understanding the Signs of the Times.
The above question is one of the most important questions that could be asked of anyone. I am sure that many, if not most, who read this offering are going to heaven but there are some who are not and it is to those persons that Oscar (And I, by inclusion) are reaching out to.
Nicodemus, a religious leader in Judaism thought that he, because of his adherence to the Mosaic law, was on his way to heaven but in conversation with Jesus he learned otherwise. Consider >
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:1-19)
The path to heaven is through Jesus Christ. He who believes (has trusted) in Him for the forgiveness of their sin and acceptance by God will enter heaven and eternal bliss. Steve