THEY SAY... 
"... There's nothing he wouldn't do for you." 

"...She's the salt of the earth." 

"...he hasn't got a mean bone in his body." 

"...a real pillar of society." 

"...when she dies, heaven will be the richer!" 

We all know people whose unselfish character is a real example to us. Surely someone like that can be certain of a place in heaven?

You would think so wouldn't you, but it doesn't work like that with God... 

...no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law... 
Romans 3:20 

Even the best of us have fallen short of the standard He sets... 

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
Romans 3:22-23 

...all our righteous acts are like filthy rags:... Isaiah 64:6 

...and with everlasting consequences... 

...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment... Hebrews 9:27 

But if God is a God of love, won't He overlook our faults, especially if they're not too serious? 

Many of us go through life believing this to be the case. However, as He's also a God of justice, all wrong-doing must be punished. That's why He sent His Son, Christ Jesus, to die at Calvary, giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins... 

...God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Does this then mean that we can all be sure of heaven? 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say this. Jesus died and rose to life again that first Easter day to MAKE IT POSSIBLE for us to have a right relationship with God 

In our daily living even that which we might consider the most minor weakness is 'sin' in God's sight... 

For from within. come greed, envy ..arrogance ... Mark 7:21-22 

...separating us from Him... 

But your iniquities (sins) have separated you from your God... Isaiah 59:2 

...and Jesus has become the 'bridge' which we must cross to have the 
relationship with our Maker put right. 

But is belief in the existence of God not enough? 

Well no. Jesus Himself said... I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 

And it's through faith in Him alone that we can find true peace, fulfilment, freedom and eternal security ... 

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved... Acts 16:31 

So what's the catch? 

There isn't a catch, but there is a cost. God has a plan for each of us, but first we must seek forgiveness, asking the risen Lord Jesus, by His Spirit into our lives as our Saviour and Lord... 

...to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 

Facing up to what He asks of all who would be His true followers, we must turn away from what we know to be wrong and put Him first in everything...

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 

The thing is, once we begin to get to know Him we won't feel we HAVE TO - we'll WANT TO put Him first. 

But can't we be put right' with God by giving to charity and helping others. ..being baptised, becoming a church member and going to services now and again. ..even just doing our best? 

These things in themselves are not the way to a right relationship with God -they are more likely to be consequences! Even the most upright of us can be facing eternity merely 'hoping for the best'... 

...there is a way that seems right to a man, but that way is the way of death... 
Proverbs 14:12 

So this message is bad news for good people... if we're trusting in our own merits, refusing to respond to God's 'good news'... 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 

...but whoever does not believe stands condemned already... John 3:18 

Why not use His 'helpline' today? 

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 

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