During my time on the boardwalk, people told me they were going to heaven because they are good people. However, the Bible says differently.
Creation and Sin
Moses writes in Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God created human beings in His image and likeness. Moses writes, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
The first two human beings, Adam and Eve, went against what God wanted and ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil because of being tempted by Satan. It says in Genesis, “‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” (Genesis 3:4-6).
Paul writes in his letter to the Romans the following: “For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one’” (Romans 3:9-12). He also says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Jesus' Birth, Death, Resurrection
However, Jesus came and lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose in three days.
Jesus' Birth
Prophet Micah
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times" (Micah 5:2).
Gospel of Luke
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:4-11).
Jesus' Death
Prophet Isaiah
"Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:4-6).
Peter
"'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by his wounds you have been healed.' For 'you were like sheep going astray,' but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:24-25).
Prophet Isaiah
"Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).
Gospel of Luke
Jesus said, "It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment" (Luke 22:37).
King David Psalm
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?" (Psalm 22:1).
Gospel of Mark
"And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?') (Mark 15:34).
Gospel of Luke
"It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last" (Luke 23:44-46).
Jesus' Resurrection
Gospel of Mark
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don’t be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” (Mark 16:4-7).
Repent and Believe
Jesus said, "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
Repent simply means to change/convert with the help of the Holy Spirit. Believe means to trust in Jesus fully with both who He is (Messiah and Savior) and what He has done (died in our place and rose from the dead). The Holy Spirit will transform your heart, mind, and will once you do that sincerely and help you live for Him.
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