Ready for Heaven

Everyone likes the idea of getting into heaven; however, few people know the details of how to get there. Religion teaches that we must constantly do good deeds and hope for the best. It pushes the idea that if we work hard and do everything right, eventually we’ll be ready for heaven. The truth is that when we get born again, we’re instantly made heaven-ready.

Salvation isn’t a “sweet by-and-by,” a gradual state we attain when we cross heaven’s gate; it’s available to us right now when we accept Jesus. When we hear and believe the Good News that God has saved us, He identifies us as His own by giving us the Holy Spirit to live in us. The Spirit is His guarantee that we’ll receive the promised inheritance, and that He has purchased us to be His people.

We’re spirits possessing souls and living in physical bodies; being born again unites our spirits with the Holy Spirit. When we sin with our bodies or souls and miss the mark, He protects our spirits from participating in sin. Even when we do something foolish, it’s impossible for our spirit beings—our real selves—to sin. Whoever is born of God doesn’t, and can’t, commit sin.

Being in Jesus makes us God’s children. Our names are written in heaven, our spirits are righteous, and we’ve been made perfect. As brothers and sisters of Christ, we sit together in heavenly places in Him. We receive this gift of righteousness and salvation not because we’re perfect through our own efforts, but because every man is presented perfect in Christ Jesus.

We get into heaven not by works, but by faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. By one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. This is God’s grace in action on our behalf.

Prayer:

Lord, the sacrifice Your Son made took care of our salvation. Our faith in what He did grafts us into Your family and assures us of our final destination in heaven. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Ephesians 1:13, 14, NLT
1 John 3:9
Hebrews 12:23, NLT
Ephesians 2:6
Colossians 1:28
Hebrews 10:14