Ticket to Heaven 777
Think you already have a ticket to heaven tucked in your pocket? After all, you’re a good person whose good deeds outweigh your bad, right? Some believe that saying a prayer or being baptized is their ticket to heaven. You don’t want to be wrong about eternity, so here’s how to know if you’re good enough for heaven: “There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). God’s standard of goodness is perfection - in thought, word, and deed. That means that none of us can make it on our own. Even one sin will keep us from heaven. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). In His mercy, God made a way to forgive His people. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross to pay the penalty for their sins, then He rose from the dead. You must repent and trust in Him ALONE for salvation. Only Jesus is the ticket to heaven. Which are you holding... Ticket to heaven? Or, ticket to hell?
Ticket to Hell 666
Only really evil people like murderers get a ticket to hell, right? Here’s how a holy God defines evil: “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). Have you ever hated anyone? Ever told a lie? “All liars will have their part in the lake of fire.” (Revelation 21:8). Ever looked at someone you’re not married to with lust (sexual desire)? Jesus said that looking with lust is committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever stolen anything? No adulterer or thief will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). Ever used God’s name in vain? That’s called blasphemy. “The LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain,” (Exodus 20:7).
Because God is holy, He must punish all who sin, and His place of punishment is hell for all eternity. If you’ve done even one of these things, you are currently holding a ticket to hell. But God, in His mercy, has made a way for forgiveness. He has provided Jesus, the ticket to heaven. Which are you holding... Ticket to heaven, or ticket to hell?
