The lives that we are living are full of God’s blessings. Daily we see His benefits and as our Father, we see His tender care and compassion. We must live our lives with an understanding that His desire is for us to live forever in His home. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself so that where I am you can be also,” (John 14:1-3). God’s desire is for us to be saved, but we must take the proper steps.
1. Step out of self
What does this mean? You must first deny self. Do you remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24? Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” He said that if we are going to be pleasing to Him- who comes first? It isn’t self- it is Christ. Brethren and friends, if one is going to step out of self you must deny yourself and your desires and first give yourself to the Lord. It starts with striving to put off the old person, full of sin and doing things that God would not approve of, and simply striving to live His way.
2. Step into Christ
This is the most important step you can take. In Christ we are new creatures- 2 Corinthians 5:17. In 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul tells us that in Christ we are led to triumph. In Him we are a new creature, we can start over- and don’t so many people just want a new start? Why not take it? You can today and you can be placed on the winning team! How do I know that? Because Paul tells us in Romans 8:1- there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. In Christ he says are found all spiritual blessings- Ephesians 1:3. How do we take this step and get into Christ? We are told exactly how to take this step. Romans 6:3-4- those who have been baptized have taken this step. Galatians 3:27- for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. However, one is not ready for baptism unless they have first been taught the word, believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16) have repented of their sin (Acts 2:38) and made the confession that Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37). Step out of self and into Christ.
3. Then, when the time comes, you will step into glory.
1 Corinthians 15:50 tells us that flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, we know that we must die or be transformed before we reach heaven. Once again, Jesus said that He has gone to make ready that place; He has provided a way for us to ready for heaven. The question is, will you take these steps to make sure that your life is ended in Christ or will you choose to remain outside of Christ?
Consider, finally, the comforting words of John in Revelation 14:13. “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
-Adam Orr
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