GOOD INTENTIONS

If you can earn it, why did Jesus die?

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10:1-2

At a first look, one would think Cornelius was a saved man on his way to Heaven. He was a religious man who feared God, gave financially to the ministry, and prayed. But if you continue reading in Acts you will come to the understanding Cornelius did not know who Jesus was. Even with all of His works he was still dead in his sin and trespasses.

Is that what you are doing in this life for Jesus? Are you trying to work your way to Heaven? You have good intentions in working for the Lord but it won’t work, ye must repent and be born again. No one gets to Heaven, by their works! Consider with me Ephesians 2:8-9, “For 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.”

ARE YOU GOING TO HEAVEN?...

How do you know?

            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. Matthew 7:21

            Many people, if asked, say they are going to Heaven. But when you ask them how they know, they can’t really answer the question. When they do answer it goes something like, “Well I’ve been a member of such and such church all of my life.” “My Mom and Dad were founding members of ABC Church.” My Dad is a Deacon at the First Pentecostal Methodist Baptist Church.” “My Mama plays the piano at the Lutheran Holiness Presbyterian Fellowship.” "I'm a pretty good person."

            What people leave out is repentance. They say they are saved based on some untruth they have been told since their youth. What they hardly ever do is pick up the Bible and read it to see what God says about who we are and where we are going. He says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” He says, “For the wages of sin is death;” Praise God He doesn’t stop there….. He finishes out that same verse by saying, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  

            Are you going to heaven? How do you know? A good evidence of salvation is found in your works. James 2:20 says, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” So friend, what are you doing for the Lord these days? 

Virtues are a must!

A truly virtuous person is like good metal-the more he is fired, the more he is refined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved.  Wrongs may well try him and touch him, but they cannot imprint on him any false stamp. –Richelieu

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8

And where do we find out what a truly virtuous person is? -- At church. Where do we find out how to become a virtuous person? -- At church. Where do we find out when we can become virtuous? -- At church. For it is at church that we find out that we are a corrupt and sinful people in need of the Saviour. And without the incorruptible, sinless Son of God there is no hope for us! So what are we to do? GET UP, GET READY, AND GO TO CHURCH TODAY!