Friend, on what grounds do you hope to get to heaven? That you hope to get there I have not the slightest doubt. My anxiety is whether you are on the right road to get there.
Now I ask, Are you sure you are going God's way to heaven, or only pursuing the way that "seemeth right" to your own mind?
There is a distinct understanding among the nations of the world that each country has the sole right to say on what conditions an alien shall be allowed to reside there. Shall we allow God any less authority than that which is accorded to the governments of the earth? There is one law of nations which is almost identical with God's law: and that is, that no one shall be allowed to pass from one country into another while suffering from an infectious disease. Moreover, everyone bows to this law without the slightest question. Has not God the right to claim the same?
Generally, people are allowed to go from one country to another without much formality; but sometimes a country is attacked by some dreadful disease which is very infectious. Immediately every other country issues notice through its representatives that no one from the infected country will be allowed to enter their land except on certain conditions; and to this notice everyone has to bow. Remember, it is not the infected country that lays down the conditions on which their people may pass into the non-infected country. It is the non-infected country that issues the terms on which any can enter into their land from the affected one. So it is in regard to heaven.
There was a time, in the Garden of Eden, when Adam was innocent and uncontaminated with sin, and God could hold free communication with him. But Adam listened to the voice of the tempter and fell. Immediately he became infected with that terrible disease—sin—a disease which has descended upon all his posterity. Because of this, God drove man out of the garden. God is too pure and holy even to look upon sin. When "He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him," God forsook that holy Sinbearer, though it was His own Son. From time to time since that scene in the garden, God has issued through His messengers or representatives the conditions on which alone He would hold communication with man.
This is our position today. As descendants of Adam we are infected with this terrible disease, sin. It is necessary then, if we desire to enter heaven, to find out and comply with the conditions God has made to govern our entrance there.
Where are we to look for these conditions? In God's Word—in the Bible, and the Bible only. God has caused His Holy Word to be written and preserved in order that there may be no mistake about the way He would have us go. In Old Testament times He gave conditions and terms to His people through the prophets; but in New Testament times, and up to now, God has spoken and still speaks through Christ, His beloved Son.
Do you ask, Who is Christ? What is His authority? These are very proper questions, for the position and rank of a representative of a government give character and weight to the message he brings. I answer, Read carefully the following scriptures: first, Christ's own words in John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39): "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me."
Christ was the subject of God's testimony in the Old Testament. Now for His credentials.
These are the divine credentials of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now what is His message? John 3:14-1614And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For 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 3:14‑16) says: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Now, reader, I ask, Do you personally know anything of this way of blessing, this way to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"? 1 Pet. 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4). Every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has the object before him. Furthermore, to attain this object they have accepted the principle that God has declared as governing His receiving of man into His presence.
Every person sailing to a foreign country is bound to apply to that country's representative for a document for which he pays. This document certifies that there is no infectious disease prevalent in the place from which he comes. Unless he can produce that document he will not be allowed to enter the country.
So it is with heaven. We hear Christ, as God's representative, saying, "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me." We have just seen His authority for so speaking. Why then do so few, comparatively speaking, get a divine passport for glory? Read John 5:39, 4039Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:39‑40): "Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life."
Solemn words are these. "Ye will not come." Yet it will cost you nothing. Hear His word: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." John 10:28, 2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29).
Unsaved reader, you are suffering from a disease that will keep you out of the presence of God forever unless you get cured! The only cure is in the saving power of faith in the Savior's blood.
Come to Jesus! Believe on Him! Receive the pardon and cleansing from sin through belief in the sacrifice of Christ. Thus only can God receive man back into His presence. Sin must be put away, or the sinner kept out.