This morning as I laid in bed contemplating what I should write I began to think of the many people who believe in God. I have heard and read that most Americans believe in God so I decided to “Google” to find out what the latest statistics were saying. According to a FOX News poll taken in 2004, 92% of Americans say they believe in God. That’s great news for a pastor to know but what do Americans think about Jesus? According to, The Harris Poll® #90, December 14, 2005, seven in ten (70%) believe that Jesus is God or the Son of God. This is really great news! It means that my job is not as hard as I sometimes perceive it. But…is belief enough?
If I walk into my garage, sit down on the cement and say, “I’m a car.” Does this make me a car? What if I make engine noises and am gassy? (lol) Of course not! What if I focus really hard, will that change me into a car. Nope. Just because I act like a car, smell like a car and believe I’m a car it doesn’t make me a car. My point… Just because a person calls himself or herself a Christian doesn’t mean they are. It takes more than just believing. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.” (NIV) Another verse in Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (NLT)
So what does it take to get into Heaven? Not much, you just have to be perfect! Now I know some of you think you are perfect, even I have been accused of acting that way, but none of us are really perfect. I John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (NIV) I can hear people saying, well I’m not a bad person. It doesn’t matter; just a little bit of sin messes it all up. I can have a straight 4.0 grade-point-average and get one D and it will mess it all up. It’s a problem we all have. There was only one person that ever lived who was without sin and that was Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15) Ok, so if I have to be perfect and that’s impossible what can I do to go to Heaven?
A. Admit that you are a sinner. – Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV) In order to admit this we have to put our pride aside and humble ourselves to the point of being honest.
B. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and accept His forgiveness. - That is what we will remember next Friday. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV) That’s pretty incredible that Jesus would die for us! Next week Passover will be celebrated. This is a time of remembering that while the Israelites were in slavery in Egypt, God sent plagues and the last one gave them freedom. During the last plague they had to kill an innocent lamb and place the blood of it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood he would pass over. Jesus became the ultimate Passover lamb.
C. Confess that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord – Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (NIV) We need to tell others who Jesus is and what He has done and the hope that we have.
D. Determine to follow Jesus – We do this by reading the Bible, praying, going to church, worshiping Jesus and determining to follow His example. I Peter 2:21says, “This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.” (The Message)
If you have never done this and would like more information about having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact me. It would be an honor to share with you about this life and eternity changing relationship.
God Bless,
Pastor Myron
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