Words from an apostle. Example from a thief,
The apostle Paul also tells us,
“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.
Romans 3:23,24
The apostle Paul also wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul makes it clear we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. That all means all. From the Pope, to our political leaders, to paupers, princes and kings. Everyone in every strata of society falls short of what God would have for their lives.
But the apostle also offers hope. He states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
It is by God’s grace we are saved. Salvation is a free gift from God that we must accept through faith.
The book of acts tells the story of Paul and Silas in jail and this interaction between them and their jailor,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:30,31.
The best example of how Christians believe we get to heaven is at the crucifixion of Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells us there were two men crucified that day with Jesus. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
The apostle Paul put it this way.
“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.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9,10
This is how we get to heaven. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and confess that He is Lord.
This is what the criminal on the cross did. This is what all Christians have done. It is something no one can do for you. You either believe in Christ or you do not. It’s that simple.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul also tells us,
“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.
Romans 3:23,24
The apostle Paul also wrote,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul makes it clear we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. That all means all. From the Pope, to our political leaders, to paupers, princes and kings. Everyone in every strata of society falls short of what God would have for their lives.
But the apostle also offers hope. He states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
It is by God’s grace we are saved. Salvation is a free gift from God that we must accept through faith.
The book of acts tells the story of Paul and Silas in jail and this interaction between them and their jailor,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:30,31.
The best example of how Christians believe we get to heaven is at the crucifixion of Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells us there were two men crucified that day with Jesus. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
The apostle Paul put it this way.
“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.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9,10
This is how we get to heaven. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and confess that He is Lord.
This is what the criminal on the cross did. This is what all Christians have done. It is something no one can do for you. You either believe in Christ or you do not. It’s that simple.
Please think about it.
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