Mention home and most people will think of the place where they were born, where they grew up, or where their parents live. Some will even consider their current place of residence as home. Home can mean a lot of different places to a lot of different people. However, I think the common denominator in all of these places is love.
The other day I was listening to my playlist while doing chores around the house. The song, “Home” by Chris Tomlin started playing, and I began praising God. What a joy to be reminded that the place where I am now is not my forever home. I have a special home in Heaven.
…I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Philippians 1: 20-24 NIV
How do I know that I will go to Heaven?
I accepted Christ as my savior and Lord. That doesn’t mean that I don’t sin. It means that I don’t wish to sin, and I ask forgiveness when I do. The sins I ask forgiveness for are according to GOD’S definition of sin. Many churches and people today have watered down the Bible’s teaching to align with their own way of thinking. Rituals won’t save you. Good works and being a good person won’t save you. Being dunked in water or having water sprinkled on you as a baby won’t save you. And you can’t explain away your sin by saying that you were born a certain way.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2: 8-9 NIV
Don Piper has written several books about his experience just outside the gates of Heaven. He described Heaven as a feast for the senses. The colors are more brilliant than anything on Earth. The music is more beautiful than any you’ve ever heard. Love is everywhere. There is no pain, no tears, no sadness, no sickness, and most of all, no darkness. It was difficult for Don Piper to describe in mere human words, and I’m sure it is far better a place than our feeble brains can imagine. Everything there is perfection. Don Piper described seeing his grandmother who was fragile and stooped over from osteoporosis on Earth. In heaven, she was upright and strong. I know my dad who was bedridden from Multiple Sclerosis, is now walking with his long-legged lanky walk up in Heaven.
There are two places where you will go after you die–Heaven or Hell. What you decide about Christ here on Earth will determine where you will go.
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7: 13-14. NIV
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14: 6 NIV
Hell is described as a place of constant torment, darkness, and pain for eternity. Think about the worst thing you have ever experienced on Earth. Now multiply that awfulness by at least a million times. The Bible says that Satan, his demons, and those who follow him will spend eternity burning in Hell. I can’t imagine be burned and tormented and never have it end. Thankfully I will never know that.
I know where I want to go when my time on Earth is over. I hope you want to go there, too.
Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7: 21-23 NIV
I believe that it will be very sad to think that you are saved and then arrive at judgment day and find out that your name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
How can you know you are saved?
- You’ve repented of your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Jesus died on the cross for anyone who believes and accepts His death as atonement for his/her sin.
- You live your life doing the will of the Father in Heaven. I’m not talking about what you think is God’s will, but actually seek and do God’s will. Faith in Christ will bring about obedience to God.
I’m going home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh I wanna go, Oh I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I’m in your open arms
Where I belong
Home
Song sung by Chris Tomlin
I hope I’ll see you in Heaven.
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