March 9th

How Far Is Heaven?

He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck; he who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood; he who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways; and their soul delights in their abominations, so will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them. Isaiah 66:3-4

If I invited you over to my house one day, and several people all tried to offer you conflicting directions for how to get there, what would you do? Chances are pretty good that you would try to ask me, and if none of the other directions agreed with mine then you would ignore them, right?

Of course that's what you would do; it just makes so much sense. Why is it, then, that people believe in so many supposed ways to Heaven that do not agree with God's directions? Let me tell you one of the most common ways people think will get them to Heaven, but will actually get them to Hell-their own works. If you believe that your own works can get you to Heaven then you got a bad set of directions.

Here are some bad directions-thinking that going to church gets you to Heaven, think-

ing that giving to the poor or going on mission trips gets you to Heaven, thinking that living up to a bunch of rules, even God's rules, can get you to Heaven. All of these are good actions to have in our lives, but none of them will get us to Heaven.

That was God's message to Israel in our verses for today, You're making plenty of religious sacrifices, but it's worse than worthless because you aren't paying attention when I speak to you.

God is after our hearts so that we do not just learn some rules and then check out. No, He wants us to keep following Him with our whole hearts, so that He can speak to us out of His Word and continue His work in our lives, to continue leading us all the way through Jesus Christ to Heaven.

Do you want the real directions to Heaven? Believe in Jesus; He's the only way. Then, having believed, keep your ears open; God still has some things to say to you.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I do believe in You as the only way to Heaven! I choose to trust in You alone! Please help me, lead me, and guide me as I continue following You all the way to Heaven!

Amen