I am writing the answer to your question with a new sense of vigor, boldness and concern. I am not trying to be politically correct, evasive, and vague or pull any punches. Here is what the Bible says about how a person is saved.

On a recent stole down Bernard Avenue I was approached by a well dressed man who asked me if I was interested in coming to his church. Having been newly challenged by our latest guest speaker to make peoples eternity a priority, I asked him this question: "Sir if you were to die tonight, and I'm not saying you are going to, where do you believe that you would go?" He immediately answered, "Heaven". I then asked him, "Why would Jesus let you in?" To which he responded, "Because I have done good works". I told him that in no uncertain terms that was not enough. Salvation is ONLY based on his decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of his life (more on that later).

Based on the answer I gave him he realized that he had better throw Jesus into the mix and he added, "oh yeah we believe in that too." To which I replied, "but that was NOT your answer to salvation just a minute ago, it was 'works' and lots of them."

I then addressed his buddy, who was dressed in a nice suit that sported an "elder" badge. I asked him if he were to die to night where would he go. "Heaven", he said. Then I asked him why he would be let in. He said "I hope I have done enough good works". Again my answer based on the Bible was that 'works' will never be enough.

I should have said, "If you, who sport an 'elder' badge do not know if you have done enough good works to get into Heaven, then what hope is there for me who hasn't even started in that type of church?" People, this is a faulty system of 'works' and if you go to a church like that, RUN!!!!!!

Hear this: you will never get to Heaven based on what you have done no matter the amount. I repeat: you will never get to Heaven based on good work - it is by faith in the shed blood of Jesus.

Romans 3:23 says... That all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. That would include you and me.

Romans 6:23 says... For the wages which sin pays is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord. You will pay the wage if you don't accept the free gift.

Romans 10:9-10 says... That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I urge you to make that decision today with an honest and sincere heart. Come to church, get baptized, and then be given to using your abilities, gifts and talents towards being a blessing to others. Don't base your eternity on the opinions of people. IT IS FAR FAR TOO IMPORTANT. I have heard it said by one person that he would crawl on broken glass from one city to another if it would save one soul from hell.