The Truth About Getting To Heaven
	The first thing one must realize is that he or she must be saved.  It is somewhat like a story I once read by a well known theologian.  It goes as follows, "Years ago railroads and airlines printed what we called 'time tables'.  They all laid claim to what was suppose to be the better route to your destination.  They went so far as to print their line in big boxcar  type, while their competitor's line was put in the smallest type.  The different denominations and churches all have their peculiar route to heaven.  The various sects and isms claim to have a monopoly on the only way to a blessed eternity.  Which way shall we go?"       Certainly we all want to go to heaven.  The alternative is unthinkable, but do we want to take the proper route?  Most assuredly we do, but which is it?      Instead of listening to all the suggestions from all the various 'route givers', why not listen to God and hear what He says, after all it is His heaven that we seek, is it not?  These are the facts from His Word and what He has to say about just how to get there.  This is the gospel according to the Author: His truth about mankind: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10 "For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and does not sin." Ecclesiates 7:20 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "For there is no man that sins not." I Kings  8:46 One that had great impact on me personally was: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all."  Isaiah 53:6 His truth that sin must be punished: Behold, all souls are Mine:  as the soul; of the father, so also the soul that sins, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 He tells us of His remedy for sin: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:  though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18 "God commends (demonstrates) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8 "Not by works of righteousness (self-righteousness on our part) which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5 And another of my favorites is: "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." Ephesians 2:8-9 He shows forth His love for those who will follow Him: "He who believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he who believes not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:26 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy household." Acts 16:31 "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."  John 3:16 God definitely shows us that there is only one way to be saved, therefore one way to heaven: "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life;  no man comes to the Father, but by Me."  John 14:6 "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12 Again, another that had a great impact on me was: "Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die.  Believeth thou this." John 11:25-26 Lest we misunderstand:  let us look at what it's all about: It's not about just getting to heaven by way of avoiding hell.  Salvation is not just so we can get a free 'ticket' that takes us on a trip away from the fire and bimstone of Hades.  Salvation, as brought out in the Bible verses we have shown, is being forgiven for our sins that we might be brought into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.  There is a difference.  No one wants to go to Hell, everyone wants to go to Heaven.  But few really want to serve the Lord.  Few want to be in His presence for all eternity.  Heaven is where those truly saved spend eternity praising His name and giving Him all glory.  And it starts right here the very moment one is saved.  There are serious doubts about folks that want to be saved, but still live as if they are clinging onto everything of this world.  Please do as Peter suggested: "give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if you do these things, ye shall never fall."  (Second Peter 1:10) Conclusion: In the following  verses we see God's way to salvation.  Read them carefully. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man--Christ Jesus." I Timothy 2:5 Christ proclaims: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;  and he that cometh to me I shall in no wise (way) cast out." John 6:37.  Will you come to Him?  "Now is the day of salvation" 2 Corinthians 6:2                                                                 In His Grace,                                                   Alton Crapps, The Mission Letter--October 26, 2002