Exactly what will it take to make heaven?

[Whosoever Will]

I just wanted to see the different responses to this one.

Where will Jesus draw the line, especially since judgement starts at the house of God?

I believe John chapter 3 and Acts chapter 2 paint us a clear picture of what is required to make heaven, but I'm more concerned with how we live our lives after we fulfill both of these scriptures. Just how merciful will Jesus be? He could stomp us all in the dirt if He wanted to. I know we certainly try his patience at times. Since He said that judgement will start at the house of God, I expect that means that there is a great house cleaning coming.

I know He will be a fair judge, unlike any other.

And don't pretend that you don't know what I'm talking about. I know I'm not the only one who fails and goes running back into the arms of Jesus like a little child, only to have Him send me back out again. I fear I may never reach my full potential, for fear of not being good enough for him. I know I'm supposed to put on His righteousness, but I'm wearing His robe over my filthy flesh, and the two clash daily.

How great will His mercy be toward His church, regarding their life after having been born again? Does anyone here really have the mind of God concerning this?

(I will be out of town for a couple of days starting tomorrow, and therefore unable to post back up for a while after tonight.)

[stmatthew]

Obedience :)

[Whosoever Will]

Paul spoke as though he didn't take for granted that he had already made it. If Paul was fearful, then I ought to be terrified.

[stmatthew]

I say again, Obedience!!

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto them that odey him;

[Truthseeker]

Love Jesus

[pastorb]

Holiness,

The bible says, live peacebly with all men for without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

[Truthseeker]

Long sleeves!

[Truthseeker]

it has to be a clean shaved face that gets you there! :)

[nightwatchman]

Mat 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

[nytxn1971]

Originally posted by Truthseeker
it has to be a clean shaved face that gets you there! :)
What if you have 5 o'clock shadow, or haven't shaved in two days?

Oh well... Guess I'll wave at y'all as you sail upward in the rapture...

:D

[Truthseeker]

Bro Ron

OH YEAH! you know where the go-T will get you

[Xerf]

Is this suspose to be a one word answer?

If so my answer to, what will it take to make heaven?

My Everything

(sorry I used 2 words--does that mean I wont make it?)

[Adoniyah]

Bro. Rob:

That was a fantastic answer. I love it. Yup, long sleeves'll do it everytime. :)

I might add, deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus. That includes walking in the light as it forever leads on. In short, just like StMatt said above...Obedience.

[witness4jesus]

Obedience to the word of God.

Revelation tells us that the books were opened, and great and small are judged out of the books. The word of God is what will judge whether we make it or not. I want my life to line up with the word.

No lies are going to make it to heaven.

sis pam

[truemessianic]

Simply, obedience to the Gospel.
Acts 2:38

[dllong]

Did you love your neighbor like you love yourself?

Love is the key...


Dave

[Mike]

It will take our works being perfect.

1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rev. 3:1-5

Anyone who has defiled garments or imperfect works will be blotted out of the book of life and be cast into the lake of Fire.

[Oldpreach]

Grace...

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Try all you want to be perfect. You cant ever be. That is why He did what he did. Thats whats its all about , his continual forgiveness and Love for us.

[Mike]

Old Preach said:

Try all you want to be perfect. You cant ever be. That is why He did what he did. Thats whats its all about , his continual forgiveness and Love for us.

Me:

Just read the words I posted FROM JESUS. Rev. 3:1-5

And by the way Jesus never told anyone to TRY to be perfect.

He said BE PERFECT.

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

This seems every bit as clear as Acts 2:38

Also "grace" does NOT mean unmerited favor.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus 2:11-12

Grace teaches us THIS:

[John Atkinson]

I am utterly shocked that no one has said this yet. There is only one thing that will take any of us to heaven:

JESUS!

Whatever we do down here to please God is the Holy Ghost working in us to do his will. But Jesus is what it takes to get to heaven.

Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

When I have gone as far as I can go, JESUS! takes over. When in weakness I miss the mark, JESUS! makes his strength perfect. When I run into a lack in myself, JESUS! makes up that difference.

All I have to do is: 1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

[accurate]

. please delete account

[O2blikehim]

Amen to Jesus. When considering qualifications for heaven, any answer other than "Trusting in the blood of Jesus" is wrong. All the other stuff we "DO" is in response, in gratitude, for his gift.

I wonder if Jesus wore long sleeves? Perhaps he will not qualify. :-)

[Whosoever Will]

If it takes "perfect works", then everyone is going to hell, because we aren't perfect. I think the belief that you can be perfect is foolish. You'll never measure up to that.

We are saved by GRACE and that by FAITH, not of works, lest any man should boast.

We have to believe that what Jesus did on the cross was enough. I'm sorry, but Holy Ghost or not, you aren't perfect, and won't ever attain perfection in this flesh.

God's Grace through Our Faith in Him must be the answer to my question.

Leaving town now. Goodbye for a little while.

RAZORBACK

[Thelordisone]

Amen Mike!!

That is what HE said and that what is written. And he expects nothing less.

He will only take a church without spout or blemish. If thats not a perfect church I dont know what is.

And our whole being soul, spirit and flesh must be irreproachable at his coming! Again perfect.

Also, look at Job.

In His Name!!

[Sandy]

But if your works are His, then you are already perfect in that that you have. But if they are your own, then you cannot be. And that is what I believe Bro. John is saying.

The problem is, when you encourage anyone to walk in their own works, what you are doing is telling them to walk under the law.
And you know what, there is a fine line between the two. Because what seems to be good, may just not be good at all before the Lord.

He came not only to forgive us, true, but also to deliver us from all unrighteousness. But that deliverance consists of His taking over in our lives, bringing forth His righteousness because ours stinks.

[O2blikehim]

No one here is perfect, before or after they met Christ.

However, if we continue to ask for his mercy and forgiveness we can daily recieve the imputed rightousness of our Lord which is sufficient to cover our sins, wieghts, and shortcomings. While in the flesh we cannot be counted worthy in our own perfection (lack of sin), even just after a prayer meeting. The believers perfection is found in his faith/trust in Christ, not in his own sinlessness.

By realizing our INABILITY to achieve perfection, are we not DRIVEN to Christ for confession and thereby counted as perfect in HIM through his shed blood? Christ is the only PERFECTION of a believer.

Stephen

[stmatthew]

ye are dead................... I guess the problem is most of us are not. :D

[foreverblessed]

Grace and Mercy

[accurate]

. please delete account

[Mike]

Razorback,

You said:

If it takes "perfect works", then everyone is going to hell, because we aren't perfect. I think the belief that you can be perfect is foolish. You'll never measure up to that.

Me:

Apparently you did NOT READ what Jesus said to the "Apostolic Church" at Sardis.

They probably thought it was foolish to think they had to be perfect. Yet Jesus threatens to blot their names out of the book of life over it.

Why should it be considered "foolish" when the Son of God commands it!

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

Is this a command? Why should we believe Acts 2:38 and NOT believe this?

Many Apostolics will indeed be shocked and stunned on that day.

The Sardis Christians were baptized in Jesus name. They had received the Holy Ghost. They were attending Church meetings. They thought they were doing fine. Jesus said they had a name that they lived yet were dead.

They were close to being cut off from Gods grace. Thats why he spoke so STRONGLY to them. Trying to bring their repentance.
He made it plain they would not enter heaven. Yet there were a few names there that were worthy. No doubt the same way it is today.

The perfection of the Saints is the VERY PURPOSE of the ministry!

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph. 4:11-13

No man is in the New Testament ministry who does not teach this doctrine. Why would God call someone to the ministry and not work in them to bring forth his own agenda?

Preachers who mock this truth set their followers up to hear the same words from Jesus the Sardis Christians heard from him.

[Thelordisone]

Amen again Mike!!

Peach it!!

God is so Good!! Aint his word Good? You know it is!!

"For God does not want any man to perish but that all come to repentance!!" In & out of church!!

"To present HIMSELF a clean Church withou spot and blemish!!"

In His Name!!

[accurate]

. me cave man

[John Atkinson]

This is such a good topic it is what I am preaching on tonight. Be sure to listen in! http://www.acts238.org/arms.m3u 7:30 EST

[Mike]

Accurate,

Obviously no one can be obedient to Gods word in their own strength. That is the purpose of the Holy Spirit as I understand it.
The Spirit however does indwell the flesh and that makes the difference.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:11-13

Our bodies can be quickened to do the will of God. We are NOT helpless captives to sin.

If you live after the FLESH you shall DIE.

The Almighty Spirit of Jesus will empower a disciple to MORTIFY the deeds of the body.

Can we be entirely sanctified while in the body?

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Thess. 5:23

There it is. Even as the spirit can be sanctified so can the body.

True no amount of mere human will can perform this miracle. But the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead can.

You said:

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that sends us to to the lost to tell them that Jesus saves, that they too can have a relationship with the Lord.

Me:

It all works by FAITH! Just as one believes the words of God about salvation they BELIEVE THE WORD about perfection. Faith brings the victory in all aspects. peace, mike

[accurate]

. blah blah, glad to erase these post

[Mike]

Accurate,

The difference between our statements is I was answering your question. Are we sanctified by the flesh or by faith?

You:

There are brothers we all know that live to the highest levels of perfection, but have a 100 long tung devils in their belly.

Me:

Really? I dont know anyone like that. Those with a devil in their belly have already been turned over to satan.

You:

We are all in sin, and "the wages of sin is death". So there is no other way, absolutely none except the blood of Jesus Christ.

Me:

If you are currently "in sin" you should not expect to enter Heaven. The blood of Jesus will cleanse from it BUT then it must be overcome. Same for any of us.

True if one thinks he is "something" pride has entered. However one can KNOW he is living holy, blameless, and righteous without thinking he is "something".

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1 Thess. 2:10

Spoken by Apostle Paul about himself and his partners in ministry.
peace, mike

[Oldpreach]

Since when does saying its his grace , not our works mean that we dont have to walk in the light? "Perfect" does not mean we never sin after we come to the knowledge of the truth. Ok , riddle me this :

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

Taken at face value , many become confused because they read this scripture and feel it says , " this must mean i cant be saved , for i certainly have sinned since i have come to the Lord." However , if you read the next verses....

"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. "

What do you bear? What kind of plant are you ? A tree of rightousness? Or a Tare ? When its all said and done , did you thrive and bare fruit unto God ? And to His Kingdom? Or , did you not care , not pray , not ask him for forgiveness and power to carry on? Ahh , but we see this now also ! --

"If WE say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

What is your attitude towards God's Holiness , and towards sin? Its all a matter of whether we LIVE in sin with no regard , or if we LIVE IN HIM and ask for his forgiveness when WE DO sin.

But , thank God !!! --

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. "

[accurate]

. elvis is dead

[Sandy]

Old Preach,

You was talking about Heb. 6:4-8. But consider what it also says in Heb. 6:3 just before those verses too. Because I do not believe if one is going to fall away after walking in verses 4-6, God knowing this, that He is going to allow them to continue on into this to begin with. Which is the jest of the whole matter to begin with, our not being able to do anything without His permitting it.

Mike, I agree with you mostly. We are to walk in perfection. But perfection means being complete in Him where we are at in Him. whether that one has arrived into what is written in Heb. 6:5 or not. Both are complete or perfect, as long as they abide in Him and He abides within them. But only if they recognize there to be no good thing in their own flesh or righteousness by self, because of this always being sinful. And therefore when it does try to take over, repenting of this, so that Christ within us can cleanse us from all unrighteousness when tempted by self or the flesh, which according to James is why we are tempted to begin with. And it is that one that walks in the light. Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit.

I do not believe 1st John to be speaking of beginners only anymore. but speaking of the flesh of the righteous which will always abide in sin until it is put to death by returning to dust, and therefore needs to be repented of when it does try to arise and take over.

[accurate]

. clintone

[Phyllis]

What wil it take to make heaven ?

It will take believing that Jesus is God and God's name is Jesus , repenting of sin, being baptised in Jesus name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. This based on Acts 2:38

The plan of salvation that God revealed to me when I came into this wonderful truth

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Jesus -- Oh What a Name

If you notice in the above verse the word name is in the singular and not plural.- no s is added to the little word name. So what is the name of the Father , and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit? The name is Jesus and He is the only name that we must be baptized in.. We are not to be baptized in the three names but in one name and that name is Jesus .The Father is a title , the Son is a title, and the Holy Spirit is a title and we are not to be baptized in the titles. but in the lovely name of JESUS. It was not until I found this wonderful truth and learned the proper interpretation of it that I found complete freedom in my life and have peace and joy in my life.

Also there is one God and His name is Jesus . We see this in Isaiah 9:6 which says;

"For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given,: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." JESUS is called GOD in this verse There is one God , one way to eternal life .Thank you Jesus .There is no Trinity and it is not mentioned in the Bible.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

And the associated sentence structure is,

Sentence 1: "Repent,"
Conjunction: and
Sentence 2: "...be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…"
Conjunction: and
Sentence 3: "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

The remaining words in the sentence comprise contractions, prepositions, adjectives, direct objects, etc

What Peter Said on Pentecost
It is obvious to the reader that Peter has told the people gathered around him that day on Pentecost, almost 2,000 years ago, three things. They are:

[You] Repent.
Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is also obvious that Baptism is absolutely necessary for the remission of sins. This is not to say that Baptism alone produces salvation. That would be neglecting the first part of the verse, as well as, neglecting other passages in the bible and other examples of conversion found in the book of Acts. Peter told the crowd around to Repent and he told the crowd around him to "be baptized ... for the remission of sins." so that they would "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The biblical idea of the importance of water baptism is also born out by Peter in I Peter 3:21 and by the Apostle Paul in the following references: Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-6, and Galatians 3:26-27.

Conclusion
So, what does the comma mean? Simple. It is a separation accurately supplied by translators of the KJV to show the distinction of three separate sentences. It shows the distinction of three separate imperative commands issued by Peter in the first Gospel sermon.. It is only after baptism that our sins can be forgiven. In order to be saved a person must:

Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, Romans 1:16)
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (John 3:16, Acts 8:37, Romans 10:9)
Repent and leave your life of Sin. (Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38)
Confess, publicly before witnesses that Jesus is the Son of God. (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8).
Be Immersed in Water for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:26-27, I Peter 3:21).
Be Baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of Speaking in Tongues. (Acts 2:38)
God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and does not require any more or any less of us than he required of those gathered on the day of Pentecost. He required the same of Paul, of the Galatian Christians, and God requires all those who would be called his children to obey him and submit to His same will today.

If you are not a Christian, and you are not a Christian if you have not obeyed (with proper understanding) the five items listed above. It does not matter what you have been taught by other people. It only matters what the Bible says about your relationship with God. The Bible says that this is the only way to keep from being numbered among the lost.



Posted and edited by permission

Copyrighted by Jesus Cares Ministry

B rother John , you did one excellent job last evening in presenting the gospel plan of salvation I listened intently and you made it so clear that anyone listening to you should have been able to grasp it Thank you for the fine job you did

God bless
sister Phyllis

[Whosoever Will]

I don't mean to give you a hard time about this, but when exactly did you and your congregation attain perfection? If you died right now, would you be found to be perfect? If not, what hope do you have, if you believe that we must live without sin to inherit eternal life?

"Its all a matter of whether we LIVE in sin with no regard , or if we LIVE IN HIM and ask for his forgiveness when WE DO sin."

I agree totally with the above quote that I copied.

[accurate]

. boo boo

[Mike]

Razorback,

When there is nothing wrong with your car it is running perfect. Do you praise your car for doing what it was designed to do? But if one thing is affecting the way it runs you become concerned. You will not rest until you find the problem and deal with it. Same way God sees his new creation.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

We were created unto righteousness.

Does Jesus EXPECT his new creation disciples to obey all his commandments?

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:7-10

Jesus will not thank you for doing what he commands you to do. Its the least we can do.

One should not expect to keep sinning in anticipation of Gods forgiveness.

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:2

You:

If you died right now, would you be found to be perfect? If not, what hope do you have, if you believe that we must live without sin to inherit eternal life?

Me:

Sinless perfection is simply having victory over sin. Overcoming it on a daily basis. My hope is that by the power of the Almighty Spirit of Jesus Christ I will be kept from sin.

If one loves Jesus this will be his hope.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
John 14:21-24

That is the motivation. An overpowering love for Jesus. Those who have it keep his commandments. Those who dont do not.

If one stains their garment by sin they can call out to Jesus for mercy. Come back into the secret place of his love.

The Holy Ghost produces love that EXCEEDS the human love.

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

To keep Christs word is the proof you love him. He supplys the power to do it. What excuse will one offer him if they continue in disobedience?

You are a preacher. Read the verses of scripture I have posted here. How would you preach them?

Would you say one will enter heaven WITH sin in his life? peace, mike

[accurate]

. he turned the water into grape juice