Letter to a Friend
I hope you will count me as a friend and will take a few minutes to read this following note. Friend please read it a couple of times then contact me and I'll try to answer any questions you have.
Today some people seem to have the idea that if you are good and helpful you'll go to Heaven.
Some of these thoughts could have been taken from the bible, for instance:
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12 verses 17-18) also Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7 verse 12) The bible encourages us to be kind and loving one to another and whilst this is good, by doing this alone will not guarantee us a place in heaven, In the words of a famous comic 'there's more'.
The bible tells us 'And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:' (Hebrews 9 verse 27) For us to think we shall enter Heaven by our good deeds, this idea is soon squashed when we read 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' (Matthew 7 verse 21-23)
If good works won't get us into heaven, what will? the answer is so simple that many of us overlook it, 'That 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 verse 9) Obviously to confess Jesus we must first believe in him, then believe he raised from the dead, we then will be saved (saved from what? HELL)
To believe is the first step. After Jesus left the scene, his disciples started telling a great crowd about the reason he had to die and the fact he rose again, the people began to believe and asked for the next step (what do we do next?). 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost'. (Acts 2 verse 38)
From here we learn the ways of God. We may not always set a good example as Christians, some learn quicker than others. We may not be perfect, but we are forgiven. It is important to remember 'every journey starts with a single step'. Friend I would urge you today to consider carefully your future. Where will you spend eternity? for eternity is a long time.
To summarize consider this one last scripture reference: 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned'. (Mark 16 verse 16)
Kind Regards
Your Friend Cliff
Today some people seem to have the idea that if you are good and helpful you'll go to Heaven.
Some of these thoughts could have been taken from the bible, for instance:
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12 verses 17-18) also Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7 verse 12) The bible encourages us to be kind and loving one to another and whilst this is good, by doing this alone will not guarantee us a place in heaven, In the words of a famous comic 'there's more'.
The bible tells us 'And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:' (Hebrews 9 verse 27) For us to think we shall enter Heaven by our good deeds, this idea is soon squashed when we read 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' (Matthew 7 verse 21-23)
If good works won't get us into heaven, what will? the answer is so simple that many of us overlook it, 'That 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 verse 9) Obviously to confess Jesus we must first believe in him, then believe he raised from the dead, we then will be saved (saved from what? HELL)
To believe is the first step. After Jesus left the scene, his disciples started telling a great crowd about the reason he had to die and the fact he rose again, the people began to believe and asked for the next step (what do we do next?). 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost'. (Acts 2 verse 38)
From here we learn the ways of God. We may not always set a good example as Christians, some learn quicker than others. We may not be perfect, but we are forgiven. It is important to remember 'every journey starts with a single step'. Friend I would urge you today to consider carefully your future. Where will you spend eternity? for eternity is a long time.
To summarize consider this one last scripture reference: 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned'. (Mark 16 verse 16)
Kind Regards
Your Friend Cliff