Introduction
Heaven is a place that believers in Christianity desire to get to after death. It is a place of perfect peace and joy that Jesus promised to believers. How do believers come to be accepted and allowed into Heaven? How do they gain the key to eternal life that leads to Heaven? The bible speaks of many rules and principles that believers can follow in order to gain entry into the kingdom of Heaven.
Keys To Heaven
The Bible explains that in order to gain entry into Heaven, believers must have faith and trust in Jesus Christ. In addition, they must also accept Jesus as their savior and be baptized as a sign of their commitment to follow His teachings. A person must be willing to repent of their sins and turn from wickedness. Believers must also strive to live a life of righteousness, be humble, show love, and demonstrate kindness and mercy to their fellow human beings. Lastly, for a person to gain the key to eternal life, they must be willing to give up worldly desires and ambitions and to denigrate the physical world and its material possessions.
The Biblical Basis of Heaven
The Bible speaks of Heaven often, therefore providing believers with a strong basis of understanding of how to gain admittance. It states in Mark 16:15-16 that believers must “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Later in John 14:3, Jesus further clarifies that “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” These passages indicate that Jesus will return to take Christians to Heaven.
The Necessity of Good Works
Not only is it necessary to have faith in Jesus, but to get into Heaven, believers must understand and embrace the fact that good works are necessary. Many people misinterpret the Bible and believe that faith and belief in Jesus alone is enough to get into Heaven. However, this is not true. Believers must also be striving to live a life of righteousness. The Bible speaks to this need in Matthew 7:23 which explains “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Believers must be willing and striving to do good works in order to be accepted in the kingdom of Heaven.
The Role of the Church
The church and its members play a crucial role in teaching others about how to get through the pearly gates of Heaven. They are the ones that are spreading the word of Jesus and the Bible to others and teaching others what is necessary to be accepted and gain entry into Heaven. It is important that the church continues to spread these teachings and help believers understand the paramount importance of faith, repentance, and good works.
The Promise of Heaven
Heaven is a place of perfect peace and joy promised to believers in the Bible. We can find assurance in Luke 15:7 that “I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Therefore, knowing this abundant assurance gives believers confidence and peace in their decision to follow Christ, repent, and strive to live a life of righteousness in order to get accepted and welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven.
Living A Life Of Holiness
One of the prerequisites for entry into Heaven is living a life of holiness. Christians must dress modestly, abstain from sexual relations outside of marriage, not be involved in illicit activities such as gambling or drinking, and not engage in habits or behaviors that would bring dishonor to the name of Jesus. When believers are living a life of holiness, they will be reflecting the glory of Jesus and will be better prepared and accepted for entry into Heaven.
Obedience To God’s Word
Believers must understand God’s Word and allow it to dictate their actions. They must not be carried away by worldly desires and ambitions and instead should always be striving to fulfill God’s purpose and will. No matter how small the task may be, if it is in line with God’s Word, believers must be willing to obey it. Through obedience and dedication to the Word, believers can increase their chances of being accepted and welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven.
Yielding To The Holy Spirit
Believers must be willing to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow it to guide their thoughts, words, and deeds. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that believers can be empowered to walk in righteousness, show mercy, and be truthful. The Spirit is also an advocate for believers and will strengthen and help them to continue in their walk of faith and surrender themselves to the will of God in order to be accepted into Heaven.
Giving To Those In Need
The Bible speaks of the importance of helping those in need, and those that do are promised to be a partaker in the eternal kingdom. Whether it is financially or through acts of kindness and mercy, believers must be willing to help those in need in order to have favor in the eyes of the Lord. It is also important to remember that no act of charity is too small and no gift too insignificant when it is given with a pure heart and out of love. Through giving to those in need, believers can increase their chances of acceptance into the kingdom of Heaven.
