AM I GOING TO HEAVEN? By Andrea Marino
so to be able to “flee from the coming wrath.” It appears John was setting the record straight I have asked myself this question many times since being saved, which was back in August about how to enter the Kingdom of God. To the people of his day, reliance on Abraham as their 1973. I’m sure I’m not the only one to wonder if maybe I crossed a line somewhere, possibly com- father was inadequate. John specified their fruit (what one’s life produces) was to be consistent mitting the unpardonable sin, the one sin God could not forgive. (Mark 3:27, 29). There are many with repentance (see Luke 3:8) In other words, voices, crying out, but only a few that speak Truth. salvation, with its access to heaven, has nothing to do with personal performance nor does it take John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, is one such into account one’s relationship to any other huvoice; a voice still crying out in the wilderness man being, faithful as they may be. through a remnant of people today. The word of the Lord came to John, and he went into all the areas of the Jordan River preaching a baptism of In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of the repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:3) blessing in poverty. (Mathew 5:3) All of us are This was in fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah. (40:3- born with a ‘poverty of spirit’. Not until recognizing this lack within can we discover the most 5) “Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!” (Luke 3:4 HCSB) Only Jesus can level the important need of the Savior. Jesus is the Way, playing field that all of us must tread, promising Truth, and Life. No man comes to the Father to fill every valley, take down every mountain and except through Him. (John 14:6) Repentance is a hill, making the rough ways smooth and straight change of heart, a turning away from the wrong so everyone can see the salvation of God. Jesus things we do. “Against You, and You alone, have is Lord of the harvest; and we, the people of God, I sinned.” (Psalm 51:4 NLT) Whenever I fall short and do not do what I know to do and that is right have been commissioned to spread His truth. (Mathew 9:38, 28:19) (See Roman’s 7), I get a wake-up call. Agreeing with God as to what I did wrong, I ask for His forgiveness. I used to beat myself up over these Interestingly enough, John said to the crowd, coming to him to be baptized, “Brood of vipers! things. The devil is quick to propose we are beWho warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” yond God’s scope of forgiveness—somewhat (Luke 3:7 HCSB) I cringe at his choice of words; like having committed the unpardonable sin. The Holy Spirit will convict us when we do not do however, many people are seeking to do somewhat is right; but “There is no condemnation thing so that they be in right standing with God,
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