How to Go to Heaven

According to the Word of God

It is very simple to be saved and takes only a minute to explain. Please let me show you how to get to Heavenfrom the Bible, God's Word...

1. Man is a sinner.

• Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
• John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
• Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
• Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

2. There is a price on our sin―eternal death in Hell.  

• Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
• 2nd Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Revelation 20:15, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
• Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

3. Jesus paid that price by dying on the cross and shedding His blood.  

   • Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
   • John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
   • 1st Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
   • 1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ...”

   4. By faith in Jesus Christ ALONE we can be saved.
   Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person...The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
   

   • John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
   • John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
   • John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
   • Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
   • Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
   • Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
   • 1st Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
   • Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
      

   HERE IS HOW YOU CALL UPON THE LORD
   Do you admit that you are a GUILTY sinner, under the condemnation of God's LAW, deserving of Hellfire?
   Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God (God in the flesh) who died upon the cross, sacrificing His precious blood to pay for your sins?
   If you'd like to be saved, simply come in your heart as a guilty sinner and BELIEVE upon the Lord Jesus Christ. 
   Perhaps you'd feel comfortable praying a sinner's prayer as did the publican in Luke 18:13... “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
   

   Dear Jesus,
   I admit that I am a sinner, deserving of Hell. Please forgive me of my sins and take me to Heaven when I die. I now believe upon You alone, apart from all self-righteous works and religion, as my personal Savior. Thank you. Amen.

   Just as you were born physically to your parents, so you were born spiritually into the Family of God when youreceived Jesus! Please understand that we are not saved because we pray a prayer; but because we believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is certainly appropriate to ask the Lord in prayer to forgive and save us; but it is our faith which prompts us to pray. You could just as easily believe in your heart upon the Lord to be saved, and not pray at all. Salvation is of the heart, as we read in Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness...”
   It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Look to Jesus!
   You do NOT have to be water baptized nor doing anything to get to Heaven other than trust upon the Lord as your Savior. Romans 4:5 proclaims... “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him (Jesus) that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” What a wonderful truth! Our faith is COUNTED for righteousness! There is NO self-righteousness involved in salvation. It is the gift of God. You see, we have no righteousness of our own to offer God. No amount of good can undo the bad we've done. Thus, Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe, because we owed a debt that we could not pay. Salvation is receiving, not giving. We areSinners and Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is precious!
   Unbelief is the only sin which can keep you out of Heaven. 
   Just take God at His word and claim His salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no lodge, no good works can save you. Remember, God does the saving. All of it!
   God's simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on Jesus Who died in your place, you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith.
   You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple!” Yes, that simple. It is scriptural; it is God's plan. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.
   If you've never been saved, then now is the time to believe upon the name of Jesus, the Christ, that your sins will be blotted out forever and you can know that your name is written in Heaven.
   Christ died for your sins. You are a sinner by nature and by choice. Jesus took your sins and charged them to His own record. He went to the cross and paid the penalty for your sins. He says if you're willing to receive Him in faith; He will transfer His payment to your debt, and His righteousness to your sins. He will impute to you His goodness, and impute to His own record your sin; if you in faith will trust Him as your Savior.
   
   
   Kindest regards,
   David J. Stewart
   Copied from: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/how_to_be_saved.html

BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN

John 14:1-6

BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN

Intro: Ill. D.L. Moody said, “The thought of Heaven has cheered the soul of many believers. Some say that we are fools to believe in Heaven. But, to deny Heaven is to deny Jesus, for He came from Heaven, it is to place our departed loved ones in the cold dark grave, it is to deprive millions of Christians of the greatest hope they have. To deny Heaven is equal to murder for it kills hope, to thievery for it robs joy, to slander because it calls God a liar.” Today, I would like to state for the record that I believe in heaven! In fact, you can get the net if you want to, but I am sure that I will live there one of these days!

     We live in a world that does not offer the child of God much hope or encouragement. With sin, crime and ungodliness abounding everywhere, it is easy to become discouraged, disillusioned and disappointed. That is why it is important for us to remember where we are going! Ill. An American tourist visited the 19th century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim. He was astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books, plus a table and a bench, the tourist asked, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?" "Where is yours?" replied the rabbi. "Mine?" asked the puzzled American. "But I'm a visitor here. I'm only passing through." "So am I," said Hofetz Chaim. Allow me to remind you that this world is not our home and that we are just passing through, Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:11.

     That is why I would like for us to take a few minutes to look at the biblical facts surrounding a place called Heaven. I will say up front that I don’t know half as much about heaven as I would like to, but I surely don’t know as much as I will when I get there some day! As we take a few minutes this evening to look at some familiar facts about Heaven, let me just encourage you to learn to rejoice in what God has prepared for you and for all who will believe. There may not be a whole lot to get excited about down here, but there is plenty waiting on the other side!

  I. v.3 THE PLACE CALLED HEAVEN

A. A Prepared Place - (Ill. Oriental Custom of the bridegroom going to prepare a place for His bride.) (Ill. Heaven is a place made by Jesus just for His bride the church.) (Ill. The description and dimensions of that city - Rev. 21:1-22:4.)

B. A Populated Place - Heaven wasn’t built joust to be the habitation of God. He built the city so that those saved by grace might spend eternity with Him there

C. A Perpetual Place - Ps.145:13 (Ill. The Light of that city will never dim nor go out! The glories of that city will never fade away. These homes we live in down here rot, rust and ruin, but Heaven will abide unchanged throughout the endless ages!)

D. A Perfect Place - Rev. 21:27 - (Ill. Christ's Perfection. To think of Jesus preparing anything that is less than perfect is unthinkable!) (Ill. A little girl was taking an evening walk with her father. Wonderingly, she looked up at the stars and exclaimed; "Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side be!")

            1. Perfect existence - Rev.21:4 - Ill. The trials here!

           2. Perfect Peace - Rom 14:17 - Ill. No disturbances allowed!

3. Perfect Joy - Rev 7:17 - Ill. Tears and all their causes banished forever! (Ill. God is good here! But, just wait until you get there! Ill. A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" died in Michigan at the incredible age of 120. Perhaps his advanced years could be credited in part to the cheerful outlook that characterized his life. One day while at work in his garden, he was singing songs of praise to God. His pastor, who was passing by, looked over the fence and called, "Uncle Johnson, you seem very happy today." "Yes, I was just thinking," said the old man. "Thinking about what?" questioned his pastor. "Oh, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like! I tell you, sir, there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there.")

4. Perfect Service - Rev 21:3 -Ill. Nothing to hinder our labors for Him!

 II. v.3b THE PEOPLE IN HEAVEN

A. A Redeemed People - (Ill. Talking to disciples) (John 3:3) (Ill. Only those washed in the blood of the Lamb are worthy to enter that city!)

B. A Righteous People - (Rev.21:27; Rev. 22:15) (Rom.4:24) (Ill. Not righteous by their own efforts, but made righteous through His free grace - Phil 3:4-11.)

C. A Rejoicing People - (Rev. 4:6-11; Rev.5:9-14) (Ill. Family safe at home) (Il. Heavenly reunions - 1Thes.4:13-17) (Ill. Going to see Jesus - Rev.22:4) (Ill. enjoying Heaven's blessings - Ill. Phil. 1:21 - What gains?)

1. Presence of Christ - 1 Thes. 4:17; John 14:3 (Ill. All our feeble efforts to describe that city. They all fall miserably short of what that city will truly be like. However, I still want to go there. Don’t you? Ill. “There is a story told of a dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him something about the place to which he was going. As the doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard a scratching at the door, and he had his answer. "Do you hear that?" he asked his patient. "It's my dog. I left him downstairs, but he has grown impatient, and has come up and hears my voice. He has no notion what is inside this door, but he knows that I am here. Isn't it the same with you? You don't know what lies beyond the Door, but you know that your Master is there.")

2. Loved Ones - 1 Thes. 4:17 - Ill. “We” (Ill. An unknown author once said, "As a boy, I thought of heaven as a city with domes, spires, and beautiful streets, inhabited by angels. By and by my little brother died, and I thought of heaven much as before, but with one inhabitant that I knew. Then another died, and then some of my acquaintances, so in time I began to think of heaven as containing several people that I knew. But it was not until one of my own little children died that I began to think I had treasure in heaven myself. Afterward another went, and yet another. By that time I had so many acquaintances and children in heaven that I no more thought of it as a city merely with streets of gold but as a place full of inhabitants. Now there are so many loved ones there I sometimes think I know more people in heaven than I do on earth.")

           3. Holy and Sinless - Rev. 21:27; 1 Cor. 15:42-57

           4. Burdens lifted - Rev. 21:4

           5. Rest - Job 3:17; Heb. 4:9;

           6. Rewards - Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 3:11-15

(Ill. No wonder Heaven is always portrayed as a place of joy, happiness and excitement! There will be much to praise the Lord for over there!)

III.v.4-6 THE PATH TO HEAVEN

A. It Is An Obvious Path - (Ill.v.6) Acts 4:12 - Only those who walk this path will enter the gates of that city! Ill. “Someone has very well said: "At three things I shall wonder in heaven: first, that I shall not find many there of whom I was certain; second, that I shall find many there whom I was sure I wouldn't find; but lastly, and most wonderful of all, that I am actually there myself."

B. It Is An Open Path - Matt.28:11; Rev 22:17; Acts 16:31 (Ill. When a person meets Jesus, the Lord has a way of bringing heaven into a home! Ill. “One Sunday morning a faithful Sunday school teacher was teaching her class of boys about heaven. She asked the question, "Where is heaven?" And one happy boy replied, "It's in our home since my daddy became a Christian."”

Conc: A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her pastor and asked him to come to her house to discuss some of her final wishes.

     She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral service, what Scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. She requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

     As the pastor prepared to leave, the woman suddenly remembered something else. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

     "What's that?" said the pastor.

     "This is important," the woman said. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

     The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.

     The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part of the meal because I knew something better was coming—like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.

     "So, when people see me in that casket with a fork in my hand and they ask, 'What's with the fork?' I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork. The best is yet to come!' "

     What I have said has merely scratched the surface of what Heaven is like. It will be far more wonderful that you or can could ever imagine. That is why you need to keep your fork, the best is truly coming in the future!! 

from http://sermonnotebook.org/new%20testament/John%2014_1-6(2).htm

THE REALITY OF HEAVEN

Foundations for Christian Maturity
The Reality of Heaven
Ken Birks, Teacher

I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
A common question that has risen in mankind from generation to generation is, "What
happens to someone after death?" Many people have had so called death experiences and
have come back to life and told of their experiences. Philosophers and religious leaders have
offered countless opinions on the subject as well. The ideas have ranged from reincarnation to
simply ceasing to exist at all.
The Bible has a lot to say concerning life after death and what happens to the soul. Jesus
spoke a great deal about this subject and declared that He Himself had come down from
heaven and that after His death He would go there to prepare a place for those who would
follow Him.
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from
heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Jesus also spoke a great deal about a second place that had been prepared for the Devil and
his followers.
Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, `Depart from
Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
In this lesson and the next one I want to try and paint a picture for us on what the Bible has to
say concerning the reality of both Heaven and Hell. God has provided clear answers
regarding life after death. In this message we will be looking at the reality of Heaven and then
next week we will look at the reality of Hell.
II. WHAT IS HEAVEN?
Heaven is a term in the Bible which describes three different spheres of existence. The word
"heaven" sometimes refers to the atmosphere surrounding the earth. Other times it refers to
outer space where the other planets are. Lastly, Heaven is the dwelling place of God and the
elect angels. it is the everlasting home of the redeemed of all mankind. This is the Heaven we
will be looking at in this message. It is the place where those who are not destined for Hell will
live after death. In the New Testament it is clearly described as an actual place, and not a
state of mind or being.
1. Terms Used To Describe Heaven.
John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would
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Foundations for Christian Maturity Page 2
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city
for them.
Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write:
'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit,
"that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
2 Corinthians 12:4 ...how he was caught up into Paradise and heard
inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Luke 13:29 "They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the
south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
The term "kingdom of God" represents the here and the now as well as the eternal domain. In
fact most references concerning the kingdom of God refer to the here and the now. The truth
is that we must enter into the kingdom of God now if we want to be a part of it in the eternal.
It is here in heaven that the believer is promised "the tree of life", not to be hurt of the second
death, a stone with a new name in it, authority with Christ, a white garment and his name in the
Book of Life; security in the City of God, and ruling and reigning in the Throne of God and the
Lamb.
III. THE REALITY OF LIFE AFTER DEATH.
The Bible teaches that life continues after the physical death of the body. God created man
with a natural, temporal body and an eternal soul. The soul of man consists of who we really
are. It is the center of our mind, will and emotions. The Bible teaches that life is eternal.
1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us; eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed,
we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
When Jesus returns at His "Second Coming" all those who have died in Christ will be raised
from the dead and then we who are alive will meet Him in the air. From that time on we spend
1000 years with Christ on the earth and then at the end of the 1000 years we rule and reign
with Him throughout eternity. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:20-25, 51-55 &
Revelation 20:1-4, 21:1-4).
IV. WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?
The Bible refers to Heaven as being above the world, in that God looks down upon the earth
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Foundations for Christian Maturity Page 3
and that when Jesus left this earth he was received "up into Heaven".
Deuteronomy 26:15 `Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and
bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You
swore to our fathers, "a land flowing with milk and honey." '
Mark 16:19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Heaven will be a place of light, love, holiness, righteousness, worship, service, joy, peace and
life eternally because Jesus the Redeemer will be there. The New Jerusalem will be the new
capitol of the universe and the place where the redeemed gather for worship and service.
There will be no darkness, hate, sin, unrighteousness, sorrow, discord or death there. Without
these things, it will be heaven indeed. What a wonderful and worthy reward of the God who
redeemed us!
1. It Is A Place of No More Thirst, Hunger, Sorrow, Pain Or Death.
Revelation 21:4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall
be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for
the former things have passed away."
Revelation 7:16-17 "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the
sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the
throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
2. Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing Can Be Corrupted.
Matthew 6:20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or
causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's
Book of Life.
3. Heaven Is A Place Of Pleasures Forevermore.
Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of
joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor
have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those
who love Him."
4. It Will Be A Place Of Worship.
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Foundations for Christian Maturity Page 4
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For
You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your
judgments have been manifested."
5. Heaven Will Be A Place Of Constant Illumination.
Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in
it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light.
Heaven is clearly described in the Bible as an actual place. It is not a feeling or a state of
mind. When people refer to Heaven as being on earth they are partially correct in that we can
experience a personal relationship with God while we are still alive. This is experiencing some
of what is in store for those who will go to Heaven when they die.
V. WHAT IS NEEDED TO ENTER INTO THE GATES OF HEAVEN?
No one in Heaven will deserve to be there as result of any merit of his own. Because of this
fact three will not be anyone boasting that he or she had earned the right to live in Heaven.
The people who will live in Heaven will be full of gratitude to God for being allowed to live in His
presence eternally. There is clearly only one way that is available to go to Heaven:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me.
Choosing Heaven means choosing to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Such a
relationship brings a foretaste of Heaven in this life, and an eternity of happiness. You canmake your decision today!
 from: kenbirks.com/bible-studies/ETERNAL-Heaven.pdf

TRUE GRACE VS FALSE GRACE 3

The Lord has said to me: "Where there is obedience, there is righteousness; without it, you have World War II."
Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus was his Lord and Savior. - a sinner saved by grace???? No! No! No! Sin has to go!

Little children, let no man deceive you, he who practices righteousness is righteous. 1 John 3:7

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:16,19. Obedience leadsto righteousness.
Jesus said: Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34 
Per Paul: Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:34Paul is speaking to members of the church at Corinth, people who named themselves Christians - they believed in Jesus!

The fruit (effect) of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness is quietness and confident trust (unquestionable assurance) forever. Isaiah 32:17 
No one of reasonable intelligence would argue that quietness and confident trust forever, (peace), is instant.

Peacemakers who sow in peace, raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:16-18

And grace does not make us instantly justified, for we seek to be justified in Christ. Gal. 2:17

It is through God's unmerited favor, grace, that we receive help in purification through repentance, which over time can result in righteousness and salvation. We approach God through faith in Christ, allowing us access to his unmerited favor, grace, to rid us of our darkness to a sinless state. True grace teaches us what to deny (repent from) and how to live, and by true grace Jesus purifies us from our lusts and affections for the pleasures of the world. Titus 2:11-14. And we seek this help from God expecting to receive it, not based on anything we have done to deserve it, but only by our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. We don't even know from what to repent, until grace shows us and teaches us. 
Repentance is a humbling experience, certainly not one to claim any merit for ourselves. It is like having a disease that requires a doctor to perform surgery. If we get the surgery, we can take no pride in that. The doctor did the work. It is like that with God, except the doctor charges, and God doesn't - it is freely given by grace. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not by yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9. Do we take pride in going humbly to God as a sinner, and asking for his help? Of course not. To ask for help is the opposite of pride.

So there is no boasting in repentance through the teachings and changings of grace; there is no boasting in beingshown our deplorable condition of sin, while striving to be different in conduct with help from God. Grace will humble us to nothingness. No, the loudest boasting in "christendom" is from the "saved sinners," boasting that the false gospel of grace gives them favor with God, a special place in heaven, and a license to sin. They are hypocrites, a stumbling block, and they scatter the true sheep from Christ. A hypocrite talks about being religious, while walking in sin. Jesus addressed the hypocrites:

You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. Luk 16:15.
This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their hearts are far from me. Mat 15:8

Your hearts have to be cleansed - really cleansed to purity.

This was John the Baptist's simple message of the beginning of repentance, to get ready for Jesus and the Kingdom:      Repent: think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct. Matt 3:2
     Share from your excess with those who are without the necessities of life.
     Be honest in all your dealings, never exaggerating or overreaching anyone.
     Don't oppress people or frighten anyone, don't lie, don't want more, don't complain. Luke 3:10-14 
Just following these guidelines, tax collectors and prostitutes were already entering the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus arrived.

This site shows you how to access the grace of God to be freed from sin by repentance to truth and purity. If you want to skip the scriptures that invalidate instant salvation and read how true grace, over time with repentance, can free you from all sin, click here.

The false gospel of grace further incorrectly teaches that since grace is free, that if we do anything, even repentance or taking up our cross, we have lost our salvation by faith and grace because we are forsaking our faith and attempting to be justified by works, thereby failing to be subject to the Law. That is a ridiculous rationalization by slothful, blind guides to do nothing - leading us into the ditch of spiritual captivity, while collecting our money, which Jesus, Peter, and Paul forbid, 1 Pet 5:2, Mat 10:8. Of course we cannot be saved by works alone, but our faith must be evidenced by far more than a claim we are saved by faith, doing nothing but claiming to "being saved by grace because the Bible tells me so," (using a tiny few selected verses twisted out of context to make their false claim). Of course we are saved by grace, but after repentance and after carrying our cross in faith for a time - works of obedient love to God's commands. Such works are energized and motivated through faith. See the footnote to Rom 3:28 for more details.

James said, "Faith without works is dead." James 2:17
James further said, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." James 2:24
Many people think Paul conflicts with James; but of course James and Paul don't conflict, and never would conflict.
In the below scriptures, Paul is speaking in context of works of the law: sacrifices, tithing, washings, Sabbaths, feasts, restrictions of foods, circumcision, etc.
——Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, Gal 2:16, (hearing and obeying him)
——A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28.
Paul has disdain for works of the law, but he is grossly misunderstood to include all the law, including the moral commands.
——No man is justified by the law in the sight of God. Gal 3:11. This verse is part of the error, without looking at it in context with the prior verse.
—— For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse Gal 3:10.

But Paul makes it very clear that the consequences of sin still apply to every man, and works of love energized by obedient faith are required and esteemed:

• But to those who are selfishly ambitious [selfish], and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness;those receive indignation and wrath,
• Affliction and distress; upon every soul of man who does evil [sins], of the Jew first and also of the Gentile.
• But glory, honor, and peace, are to every man who works good.
• For all [the non-Jews] who sin without the law will also perish without the law; and all [the Jews] who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
• For it is not the hearers of the law who are justified before God, but the doers of the law [the obedient] who will be justified.
• For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do [obey] by instinct the things contained in the law, these men who do not have the law, are a law to themselves.
• Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, and their conscience also bears witness; while their thoughts accuse or else excuse them.
• All this occurs in the day when God will judge the secrets of men's hearts by Jesus Christ. Rom 2:8-16

Paul says obedience to the moral commands of the law is required until you are totally led by the Spirit of God:
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Gal 5:18
The law is your schoolmaster, until faith has come. Gal 3:24-25
Paul further tells us when faith has come; it is received as a fruit of the Spirit by crucifying the sinful nature:

• But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
• Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lack of restraint, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, arguments, jealousies, rage, selfishness, divisiveness, Envies, murders, drunkenness, revelries [partying], and the like; which I warn you before, as I have also told you in times past, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness [or meekness, or humility], and self-control. Against these there is no law.
• Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh [the sinful nature] with its passions and desires [lusts and affections]. Gal 5:18-24

To complete this write up go to :http://www.hallvworthington.com/grace.html

TRUE GRACE VS FALSE GRACE 2

Grace is the unmerited favor of God, God's love, therefore a gift. A gift is free, grace is free. Grace has been given to all men by the Spirit of God being poured out on all men and women, since Pentecost, 2000 years ago. By grace, we are allowed to access the power of God to become righteous, whatever our sins of the past and whatever our current problems. This righteousness from God comes [but not instantly] through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Rom 3:22-24. Eventually, but only after the work of repentance energized by faith, we can all become righteous and become justified freely by grace; for we are not deserving of the help to change we get in the process of repentance - to the contrary, our unworthiness is only highlighted by grace's revealing of our sinful nature to us.

To believe you are saved, while still immersed in sin is to ignore, disregard, and treat with indifference all the commands of Jesus, while relying on a select four verses out of thousands to support an imaginary salvation; never bothering to question how those four verses must be interpreted in conjunction with Jesus' wonderful teachings and commands. And so people expect Jesus to be their excuse for not obeying the commands that he left his glory in heaven to come to the earth to teach; and then died a horrible death, to show the extent of the required obedience that we all must have to ever please God. He will not be their excuse. He will deny all who continue to sin. Only those who do the will of the Father enter the Kingdom of heaven. Mat 7:21. Jesus said he only did as he was commanded, not his own will; Jesus only did the will of the Father. The will of the Father is obedience to his commands. You must wait, watch, listen, hear, obey... wait, watch, listen,hear, obey..... seek, listen, obey to ever be able to do the will of the Father instead of your own will. 

What Jesus made possible is: however deeply you have been immersed in sin, by faith in the name of Jesus, you have access through his imputed righteousness to the changing power of God to become pure, providing you are motivated to seek his teaching and changing grace. So everyone, through their faith in name of Jesus, can approach the throne; and through patient and persistent obedience to his spoken-to-you teachings and commands, (repentance), be changed by grace, to eventually be purifiedand become righteous. Just as Abraham had to be physically circumcised,we must have our hearts circumcised to be pleasing to God. As Abrahamexercised his faith to leave his home for a new land - so we must lose our fleshly life and forsake the world to enter God's Kingdom. As Abrahamexercised his faith by obeying God's voice, willing to sacrifice Isaac, so we too must be obedient to the voice of the Lord within. This web show you how

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were members of the Church in Jerusalem. Great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them who needed anything for many who possessed lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, to lay them down at the apostles' feet; and then distribution was made to every man according to his need. Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price; pretending they were donating the entire amount. Both Anianias and Sapphira were immediately slain by the Holy Spirit; in effect they were lying to God. Their death was an example that brought great fear on all the church. Acts 4:33-35, 5:1-11.
Now few would argue that these believers with great grace on them had been saved by grace if they were slain by the Holy Spirit for lying.

Grace does not make us instantly righteous, for we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Gal 5:5
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:16,19. Obedience leads to righteousness.
Peter said: whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:35
Jesus said, as a first priority in our life, we must seek (aim at, strive after) the Kingdom and Hisrighteousness. Mat 6:33
For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful;
but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
So we do not become instantly righteous when we say we have faith in Jesus.
We have to seek (strive after) - be disciplined - obey God - work - and wait for the hope of righteousness.

He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. Pro 21:21.
As you previously yielded your body to the slavery of uncleanness and from wickedness to wickedness;
so now yield your body to the slavery of righteousness that results in holiness. Rom 6:19.
Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14.

Jesus said: Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, 
you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:20

Jesus told us how our righteousness must exceed the Pharisees: to avoid committing adultery is not enough, we must not even look at a woman with lust; to avoid murder is not enough; we must not harbor anger in our hearts; it is not enough to love our brother, we must love even our enemies; we must bless those who curse us. These requirements of righteousness exceed restraint of conduct; they require a changed heart, a purified heart.Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

In error the ministers of today say: "Because you have faith in Christ, even though you continue to sin, you are righteous and saved."
He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him. Pro 24:24
You will eventually curse the all the ministers who have promoted this pernicious lie.
In effect they are telling you, don't seek, don't obey, don't fear, don't strive.

Jesus told five out of seven churches of believers in Revelation that they were lost, on the way to destruction. TheSmyrna believers were about to enter tribulation, whom he encouraged. Notice again! Jesus said that five out seven Christian churches of believers were on their way to Hell. Only the church of Philadelphia was doing well because they had kept [obeyed] his word with patient endurance. Massive error had already taken hold 2000 years ago, until today the false church is pervasive with grace supposedly being a license to continue to sin.

TRUE GRACE VS FALSE GRACE 1

We all agree Jesus forgives us for our past sins, but did Jesus come so that we can continue to sin without guilt, or did he come to destroy our sin? Did Jesus come to set the captives free from guilt, or did he come toset us free from the bondage of sin? Did Jesus come so that we can continue to sin without guilt, or did he come to lead us to repentance and remission of sin? If knowing the truth will set you free, from what are we supposed to be set free - guilt or sin?

Doesn't a removal of guilt make sin easier for us all, allowing us to sin more without fear; so Jesus came so we can sin more, so Jesus came to promote sin? Doesn't this makes Jesus evil? Could the devil make sin any easier than the guilt-free ease of sin this false doctrine attributes to Jesus? This is a major deception. Jesus said, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34. If we are a slave to sin, he can't be our Lord. You are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness. Rom 6:16,19. What about repentance? His message was: unless you repent, you too will allperish. Luke 13:3. Certainly our sins are forgiven us while we seek to become free of sin, but we had better be sure we are repenting to work out our salvation that leads to purification and the rest, otherwise we will fall short of the mark. 

Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest, that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [that the Jews in the wilderness showed]. Heb 4:11. This is a serious warning to all who call themselves Christians: to avoid losing your soul and being banned from heaven, as the Jews were killed in the desert and banned from entering the promise land because of unbelief in God's promises, you must zealously labor in faith to attain the promised rest of the spiritual Sabbath, which is union with God and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, within you and around you. We sit down in Christ toenter the rest, to enter the rest from fighting our enemies, like Israel entered the rest from fighting and purging their land of the surrounding heathen peoples; only our enemies are spiritual: lust, rage, pride, selfishness, envy, greed, covetousness, jealousy, lying, cheating, stealing, sexual immorality, profane language, and evil thoughts, etc. Salvation is to be delivered and released from sin and be protected from evil, sanctified from our enemies of sin. Let it not be said of you: This is the rest by which you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear. Isa 28:12.

For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. 1 Thes 4:7

You can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person..has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [Immoral, impure, or greedy people are banned from heaven; instead they suffer Hell.]
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Eph 5:5-6
The disobedient incur God's wrath; including those who think they are Christians. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Regarding judgment day, Christ said he would reject many who thought they were Christians, even those who performed miracles in his name.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mat 7:22-23

Whoever commits sin practices lawlessness; for sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend,
and those who practice lawlessness [sin], and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:37-43.

To those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; those receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish; upon every soul of man who does evil. Rom 2:8-9

When I say to the righteous, that he shall surely live, and he trusts to his own righteousness and commits iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but he shall die for his iniquity that he has committed. Eze 33:13.
So much for grace covering all your sins until your die.

Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8 (Without a pure heart, you will not see God.)

So, if we die still sinning, we are condemned. We have not received enough grace from God to free us from the bondage of sin.
That is the task - even though we are undeserving, to receive more grace - enough to be freed from sin.
To receive more grace, we must strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luk 13:24 

From: http://www.hallvworthington.com/grace.html