Be Certain

I was watching "America's Got Talent" last night when the host Jerry Springer said something important to a four-year old girl. He said "I don't know if I'll get to heaven but I hope all the angels look like you." While he was expressing a sweet sentiment regarding the little girl, the first part of his statement revealed a sad truth about Mr. Springer. Specifically, he isn't bound for heaven. Based on that truth, when he reaches his destination he will be surrounded by angels no doubt but not the ones he is hoping for. I suspect it will be more like some of the video's he's produced and along the lines of "Angels gone Bad" or "Some Water Would be Wild!"

As Christians we know that unless you have come face-to-face with our sinfulness, unless we acknowledge our sinfulness, believe in the redemptive power of the blood of Christ and confess our sins we are bound for an eternity in hell. So, a little letter to Mr. Springer is in order...

Mr. Springer,

During last night's broadcast of your wildly popular "America's Got Talent" program, you expressed to the entire nation that you didn't know if you were going to heaven. If that is indeed true, you are not. Though you don't know me, I not only know the truth about how to get to heaven but I have a serious obligation to share it with you.

Assuming you want to get to heaven and that you desire to be certain about your eternal destination, I've taken the liberty of summarizing the requirements for you. These are taken straight out of my "handbook" entitled "The Bible" (Basic Information Before Leaving Earth) which was inspired by God and useful for many things not the least of which is understanding how to get to heaven. Consider these simple steps, they're as simple as A-B-C;

1. Admit that your sin separates you from Holy God. I know this to be true because God wrote in Romans 3:23 that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again to pay for your sins. You're going to love this part! Romans 5:8 tells us that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
3. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviro, repenting (turning away) from your sin. "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." That's found in Romans 10:9.

So as you can see, by following these three simple steps you can have the assurance of salvation. That means you will KNOW you are going to heaven and you will KNOW THAT YOU KNOW. Now I know what you may be thinking, "there has to be more to it than that." Well, it is true that these three steps are all that is required to get to heaven but it is also true that there is more to it than that.

You see, once you hook up with Jesus he won't leave you the way you are. He's going to bring about some changes in your demeanor, your actions and your mind. He's going to give you peace like you won't believe and strength, let me tell you! He's going to make you into a new person and it will be that new person that will make it to heaven.

I know it's scary Jerry but you can do it. Read those three steps again and then take a few moments to talk to God about them. He's waiting to hear from you. Oh and Jerry, you're right that that little girl is cute but that's nothing compared to the beauty you'll find in heaven. I hope to see you there.

Regards,

Carl B. Schultz