Supposing we were to go into the local town to do a survey and we asked people this question: If you died tonight and stood at the door of heaven and God said, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ how would you respond? – Really, there are only two answers that question: one is wrong answer and the other the right answer. The wrong answer, basically, adds up to any statement that says ‘because of what I have done’. For example, ‘God, you should let me into heaven because…

• I’m a kind, considerate person. I’ve tried to help others. I give to charities (my good deeds)
• I’ve kept the 10 Commandments (not killed anyone, don’t lie or steal or commit adultery.)
• I’m a good, law-abiding citizen. I might not perfect but if you balance things out I’m a fairly decent person.
• I’ve read the Bible: maybe not all of it but some of it, and I pray… quite often. (That doesn’t make you a Christian.)
• Well, I’ve been baptised, confirmed and I regularly go to church and take communion. (That doesn’t make you a Christian.)
• I believe in Jesus (so does the devil!)
• And I grew up in a Christian family and my parents are Christian. (Great, but being born into a Christian family doesn’t make you a Christian, any more than being born in a launderette makes you a washing machine!)

Friends, we need to understand that God’s standard is 100% perfection and by this standard everyone fails, so no one can ever be saved by good works, no matter how hard we try. If we could attain salvation through our own efforts then Jesus death would have been absolutely pointless. Jesus’ death on the cross makes us – those who are trusting in what Jesus has done – it makes us right with God. Jesus perfectly paid for our sin – 100%! That’s why He came… to show us the Way to heaven and rescue or save us from hell (which is eternal separation from God). Let me put it another way: if hell is not a reality then why did Jesus bother coming at all? ‘I have not come to call the righteous but sinners,’ said Jesus. If sinners don’t really need rescuing then why the rescue mission?

The correct answer to the question: ‘why should I let you into heaven’ is, ‘God you should let me into heaven because of what Jesus has done!’ We are not saved because of anything we have done but because of what God has done for us in Christ.

Supposing we were to go into the local town to do a survey and we asked people this question: If you died tonight and stood at the door of heaven and God said, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ how would you respond? – Really, there are only two answers that question: one is wrong answer and the other the right answer. The wrong answer, basically, adds up to any statement that says ‘because of what I have done’. For example, ‘God, you should let me into heaven because…

• I’m a kind, considerate person. I’ve tried to help others. I give to charities (my good deeds)
• I’ve kept the 10 Commandments (not killed anyone, don’t lie or steal or commit adultery.)
• I’m a good, law-abiding citizen. I might not perfect but if you balance things out I’m a fairly decent person.
• I’ve read the Bible: maybe not all of it but some of it, and I pray… quite often. (That doesn’t make you a Christian.)
• Well, I’ve been baptised, confirmed and I regularly go to church and take communion. (That doesn’t make you a Christian.)
• I believe in Jesus (so does the devil!)
• And I grew up in a Christian family and my parents are Christian. (Great, but being born into a Christian family doesn’t make you a Christian, any more than being born in a launderette makes you a washing machine!)

Friends, we need to understand that God’s standard is 100% perfection and by this standard everyone fails, so no one can ever be saved by good works, no matter how hard we try. If we could attain salvation through our own efforts then Jesus death would have been absolutely pointless. Jesus’ death on the cross makes us – those who are trusting in what Jesus has done – it makes us right with God. Jesus perfectly paid for our sin – 100%! That’s why He came… to show us the Way to heaven and rescue or save us from hell (which is eternal separation from God). Let me put it another way: if hell is not a reality then why did Jesus bother coming at all? ‘I have not come to call the righteous but sinners,’ said Jesus. If sinners don’t really need rescuing then why the rescue mission?

The correct answer to the question: ‘why should I let you into heaven’ is, ‘God you should let me into heaven because of what Jesus has done!’ We are not saved because of anything we have done but because of what God has done for us in Christ.