Today, many believe that there is only one God and different religions call Him by different names. Many also believe that all paths lead to the one God.

It is in fact true! But that's where the problem starts!

Reaching God is not the same as going to Heaven! Why? Let me explain.

The Bible teaches that there is only one life (the one that I am living right now to write this, and you, to read this). But after this life (i.e. after we die), comes judgment (Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27). Everyone, including you and me, will reach God after death irrespective of whatever religion or tradition we practiced while we were alive. But that is to stand before His judgment. So it really doesn't matter what path we may choose to take. Eventually we will get to see God! But that's where the problem is because then comes the judgment of God (Bible, Revelation chapter 19, verses 11-15). So what does it mean to stand before God's judgment?

It means that you and I will have to give an account of all the things that we have done, we have said and we have thought of (this is called sin). After this, God decides where to send us; Heaven or Hell where we will remain forever (i.e. eternity). We will not get a second chance (ie. we will not get another life). This is very scary!

You may ask, Why would I not go to heaven? Because we have done pretty bad things, said even worse things, and thought of the worst things! Let's be honest! We deserve to be punished!

Even if we tried our best to keep up with all the ritualistic practices of our traditions, prayer or charity, it cannot get us past the judgment of God into heaven. Why? Because God does not send us to heaven on the basis of how good we are or the amount of good things we have done. (See article, Can my good works take me to heaven?)

But God sends us to heaven on the basis of whether or not we are forgiven for our sins (ie. the bad things that we have done, said and thought of while we were alive). If our sins are not forgiven, then God has to send us to hell because He is super Holy and Just. Hell is separation from the presence of God, His love and grace forever without a second chance. This is a scary place to spend eternity.

But if we are forgiven, our names will be written in the book of life. And on the basis of this, we are permitted to enter into heaven (Revelation chapter 20, verse 15). How do we receive this forgiveness from God?

THE OFFER OF FORGIVENESS AND FREE GIFT OF LIFE IN HEAVEN

Now see, we may be an atheist or a lover of God, or we may practice one religion or another or maybe all, but irrespective of all that, we will stand before God seeing His Majesty, Glory and Holiness giving account of the things we have done while we were alive.

In this sense, all paths do lead to God. But where we go from there depends on what we did with His amazing offer while we were alive; which is now, in this life! You will not get a second life or a second chance.

So you may ask, What is this offer? It is the forgiveness of sin and consequently, free gift of eternal life in heaven with God enjoying His presence abundantly.

God knows that we cannot get into heaven because of our sins. In His love and grace, He has made a way and one way only for our sins to be forgiven. It is through Jesus Christ - His sacrifice on the Cross. Why?

• Jesus Christ is God. He claimed to be the only son of God. His miracles prove that He is God.


• He lived a perfect life on earth. He never did, said or thought of wrong things.


• He died on a cross, taking the punishment for our sins and thus satisfying God's justice.


• He rose again on the third day proving that He is who He claimed to be!


• Bible clearly teaches, "there is Salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given unto men by which we must be saved." (Acts chapter 4, verse 12) Salvation here means going to heaven. We are saved, from going to hell because of our sins, by God's grace alone.

HOW DO I RECEIVE THIS OFFER OF FORGIVENESS?

• Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• Confess your sins to God and be willing to turn away from your sins.
• Surrender your life to Jesus which means you learn His teachings and obey them.

Say this simple prayer to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I know I am a sinner. I believe that you died for my sins so that I can be forgiven. I now accept Your offer of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. Thank you for forgiving me for all my sins. I surrender my life to you. Teach me your ways. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You."

Inspired from this article.

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