Suppose you were to stand before God, and God were to say to you, "Why should I let you into my Heaven?" What would you say? Would you tell him how you have been a pretty good person, have not really committed any serious crimes, and so you assume you will be going to Heaven?
If so, then take this quick test to see how "good" you really are:
1. Have you ever lied? Even once? "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16
2. Have you ever stolen anything? Even from youth, cheated on taxes, or taken something, even small in it's value? "You shall not steal." Exodus 20:15
3. Have you ever looked at someone with lust? Jesus said that "whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28
4. Have you ever taken God's name in vain? Have you used His name as a curse-word, or used it in a meaningless way, like saying "Oh my G-d!" This is called "blasphemy" and the Bible says "The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name." Exodus 20"7
5. Have you made up your own "god" to suit your own interests and beliefs? Are you more interested in things of this world, than things of God? "You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:3
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, then you are guilty of breaking some of God's commandments. You see, there are 10 commandments, and we have only looked at five of them. And the Bible says that if you are guilty of breaking one commandment, then you are guilty of breaking them all.
It is our God-given conscience that tells us when we do these things, that we are wrong. "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:17. And do you know what the consequence of sinning is? The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23 It is death because sin completely separates us from God. And on judgement day, you will have to answer for every sin... "each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12 The place where God sends those that are murderers, adulters, thieves, liars, blasphemers is Hell.
At this point, you might be thinking that even though you have done some of these bad things, that you are still not "bad" enough to be sent to Hell for them. Well, if you just sinned 3 times a day.... one wrong thought, one wrong action, and didn't do something you knew you should, then by the end of the year, you would have committed 1,000 sins! If you live to the age of 75, then 75,000 sins were committed by you. What if you walked into a traffic court with 75,000 traffic tickets? Why, the law would punish you, there is no doubt! Justice demands that crimes are paid for, and how much more Just and Holy is God? He is a righteous Judge, He hates sin, and Jesus warned that God, in His wrath, will cast all who sin against Him into eternal fire "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:42
Is there any hope then for ANYONE to get into Heaven? Has anyone on this earth EVER walked a perfect, sinless life?
The answer is.... YES. There is hope for us BECAUSE there is One Who did walk on this earth, and was completely sinless. He knew no sin himself, but took on the sins of the world, and consequently, suffered under the full wrath of God. He is Jesus Christ, and the Bible says that "God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world would be saved through Him. He that believes is not condemned, but he that believes not is condemned already..." John 3:16-18. And after He died on the cross, He rose from the dead, defeating death itself!
You cannot possibly earn eternal life.... it is a free GIFT to those that humble themselves and believe. "Turn to God in repentance and have faith in the Lord Jesus" Acts 20:21. He will forgive your sins and give you a new heart... for the Bible says "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." 2 Corinthians 5:17 And when this happens, when you have truly received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are "born-again" - Jesus said the following: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born-again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3
Then, read the Bible and obey it.... find a good bible-believing church to help you grow.... pray daily to God and tell others the Good News!!!
May the Lord touch each and every person who read this and took this test, and may the Holy Spirit enlighten them to the truth!