International Vacation

Dreaming of an international vacation? Without obtaining a passport you cannot travel to many foreign destinations. Anyone who wants to be in Heaven some day must also plan ahead.

Prepared for Heaven?

No one can enter Heaven—God’s holy and eternal dwelling place—unless they are prepared. Because God is holy and hates all sin, He cannot accept anyone into Heaven who is defiled by sin. Each of us should carefully evaluate ourselves against God’s requirement for entering Heaven.

God’s commandments paint a picture of what He requires. These commandments include things like not lying, not stealing, not being jealous, and not using God’s name as a swear word. When we look at these commandments and honestly evaluate ourselves, we must admit we have failed to perfectly meet God’s righteous standard. Each one of us is guilty before God. His word, the Bible, makes it clear that every single person is a sinner: “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). None of us have the sinless requirement needed to enter Heaven.

Paying the Price

Many people are convinced they can earn a place in Heaven by doing good things like going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and helping others. The problem is that none of our good works can erase the guilt of our sin. God’s word teaches that “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Just one sin is enough to make us guilty.

If you want to be prepared for Heaven, you need to have your sins forgiven. Because God loves us, He has—at great expense—provided the way. Our salvation was paid for through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. God sent Him to die in our place, receiving the punishment for our sin. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Do You Want a Passport to Heaven?

First, you must recognize that your sinfulness makes you unfit for Heaven. Next, you need to realize that you cannot earn God’s forgiveness. Finally, you have to depend fully upon Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for your sins.

You will receive your passport to Heaven when you place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Salvation is a gift. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Accept the free gift of salvation God offers you through His Son. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). You can ask God to give you this salvation right now. All who turn to Him in sincere faith will be saved!