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Does your soul go to Heaven?
Or to Hell?
Or nowhere?
How do you know?
What do you have to do to go to Heaven?
Is there a quota of "good" behaviors?
Let me tell you my story...
My parents had had a difficult marriage, and I was their only child. Stuck in the middle.
After nearly two years of separation, my mother accepted Christ as her Savior, she brought my father to church with her and he too came to know Jesus as Savior.
I was so happy to have them together again, that I knew that only God could have done it. I didn't think He'd done it for them, but for me.
Right before my 10th birthday, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. How could I not after all He'd done for me?
As a teenager and young adult, I wanted to do things my way. I didn't want to believe that God wouldn't accept everyone... that He would send anyone to Hell. I really struggled with it...and went my own way.
When my first child was born, I wanted him to know the truth about God's love. So I started attending Evangelical Covenant Church, where the doctrine and theology is strictly Bible-based and still attend that church. I started going to church again regularly. In church I felt God's presence. Our pastor is a very gifted preacher and teacher. God uses him in a wonderful way. I would walk away from a sermon and think to myself, "How does he know that about me?" Of course, Pastor Burt didn't know anything about me, but God did, and spoke to my heart. I drew closer to God.
Along the way, I had some serious struggles...a miscarriage, a troubled marriage, and trials at work. I was going to church and believed God's Word. I knew that Jesus was the way to Heaven, but I was missing joy and felt separated from God.
An evangelist, Ian Lietch, held a series of meetings. I attended just one service, on Sunday. His topic was the Ten Commandments. He named them one at a time and said, "Have you looked in the mirror?" With nearly each, I had to admit that I saw my sin in the mirror. As he preached, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. I realized that, while I believed in Jesus as my Savior, I had not completely given myself to Him. I had been carrying around my past mistakes, my past sins, and still doing what I wanted with my life. I believed that I was a good person.
However, being good is not enough. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This sin separates us from God. He loves us, yes. But our sin keeps us from Him. The only way to be reconciled with Him is through His Son Jesus.
"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. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18
Going to Heaven is not about being a good person, or about going to the "right" church. It is strictly acknowledging that you are a sinner, that you need forgiveness and then believing in His Son as your Savior and trusting in Him alone for Salvation. My prayer is that if you have not already accepted Jesus as your Savior, that you would answer His knock today. "Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..." Revelations 3:20 If you would like to do that now, here is a prayer you can say to take that first step: Prayer of Salvation
Since that day in church four years ago, when I recommitted my life to the Lord, I have noticed a marked difference in my life. I know I will be in Heaven some day, and certainly that is wonderful. But my life now is different. I have a jump in my step, joy in my heart and hope. This one small prayer changed my life completely.
For growth in your Christian walk, I encourage you to
read the Bible: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
fellowship with other Christians: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
and tell others about Him: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19
At the top left corner of this page, are several links to help you understand what it means to be Born Again. Additionally, there are two links to help you on your walk. One is Bible Gateway and the other is a Bible Commentary for those hard to understand passages and verses.
Please email me if you have any questions about what it means to be saved, or would like to further your walk with the Lord.
Page created: 6/10/2002
Updated: 1/1/2004
Please send email to christianworkingmom@yahoo.com
if you have any questions.
This story is my own personal story and is copyrighted © Tracey Coleman, 2002, 2003, 2004
All rights reserved.
Above graphic illustration courtesy of Home Sweet Home Graphics.