Luke 6:46-49   "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and still don't do what I say? Some people come to me and listen to me and do what I say. I will show you what they are like. They are like someone who builds a house. He digs down deep and sets it on solid rock. When a flood comes, the river rushes against the house. But the water can't shake it. The house is well built.  "But here is what happens when people listen to my words and do not obey them. They are like someone who builds a house on soft ground instead of solid rock. The moment the river rushes against that house, it falls down. It is completely destroyed."

 Many churchgoers will be alarmed to discover that ministry work does not earn a place in heaven. Good deeds mean nothing to God unless they are the outgrowth of a relationship with Him. Only those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior will enter heaven, no matter how many acts of kindness or charity they have performed. 

 The definition of the word "believe" is what often confuses church members who lack genuine faith. They believe in God, Jesus, and heaven. But there's a difference between giving intellectual assent to an idea and spiritually acknowledging Christ as God's Son and one's own personal Savior. In the Bible, every time someone truly believes in Jesus, he or she changes. It is impossible to remain the same after realizing one's desperate need for Him. 

 An earnest desire for salvation begins with the recognition that we have sinned against God. We must also be aware that there is no hope of salvation apart from the Lord. Having understood these two facts, we need to trust in His sacrifice for the payment of our sin-debt. Some people use the terminology "ask Jesus to forgive your sin" or "ask Jesus into your heart." It doesn't matter how we describe the experience--if we repent of sin and make a decision to receive Christ, we are saved. 

 God promises to respond to a humble acknowledgement of His Son's sacrifice. If you desire to be in heaven with Him for eternity, ask yourself this question: Have I been saved? If not, now is the time.

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 1 OUT OF 1 COMMENTS From: finaltouch73 01/16/2008 07:25:31 Hi.....I am so glad to see this message on here.  The Bible mentions that there will be those that say "Lord, Lord" but will not be accepted into heaven.  They did miracles and such in His Name and yet Jesus said He does not "know" them.  It seems to me that these people believe in Jesus.   I have been saved but there is something that has been on my mind.  People ask Him into their heart/life....they admit they are a sinner.....and their ways have changed.   There are those that walk the walk...right beside the Lord and then there are those that go about their everyday life and might not read their Bible or go to church and so on.  I believe that it is an ALL or NOTHING.  I know it is not by works you are saved but do believe that faith AND works go hand in hand.  "Faith WITHOUT works is dead."  There are so many "luke-warm christians" as we call it that it just scares me to think that they are the people that are saying "Lord, Lord" and will not be accepted as well.   To be a follower of Christ, you are a Disciple, one that does as the Lord wishes.   If He says, "Fellowship", we need to do so , If he says, "Tithe" , we need to do so.  These are all works...but if the Lord wants us to do it and we don't ....well, I just can't see that we will be allowed to live in His kingdom if we throw those things aside.  This has been on my mind for quite some time and wish to get clear answers.  Many have answered  "you don't have to go to church to be a christian" .  True if you believe that only believeing gets you there and that is all you need to do.       I need some views on this....I want to do what is right.....I want to tell others what is right, based on Scripture and not sugar coat it as some do.  It is great if I lead someone to Christ or plant the seed so that someone else can water it but I also need to know that if a person believes, they also need to see what the Lord desires of us to do.  Faith without works is dead.  God Bless, Amanda