Will I go to heaven when I die? i.e. Would I receive everlasting life?

Story

A father has two sons who wanted to go see a movie. The father knows that the movie is very expensive but because he loved his sons, he went and purchased two tickets. He told his sons that he wanted them to help him wash his car and that in return; he would give each of them a ticket to the movie which he already purchased.

The two sons then left to wash the car. The eldest said….whether we wash this car or not Dad will give us the ticket because he already purchased the ticket and its very expensive. The younger son said I love my father and I will wash his car, if he gives me the ticket I’ll be grateful if he don’t give me the ticket after I wash his car I will still love him because it is he who purchased the ticket not me.

They both washed the car. But while doing so the big son was fretting that he has to do work but the little brother finds joy in the work because he loved his father.

At the end of the day the father saw the car looking good. He then kissed both his sons and give them each a ticket to the movie.

1) Some Christians say that Jesus already paid the price, all I have to do is to believe in Jesus and I will be saved. (work is not necessary)

John 11 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. 

But the devil also believe in God

James 2:1919Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2) Some say..We have to believe and do work to show that our faith is not dead as such we have to get baptized, sing in church, preach the word, testify, make it to every service, live a good life and we will make it to heaven …is this true?

Acts 2:38 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Did not Jesus died for our sins?

When someone decides to “get right with God,” part of the “outward sign” of accepting Jesus as their savior is being baptized.

James 2:26 - "Faith without works is dead"

John 14:12:"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father."

Romans 2:6: For he will render to every man according to his works

Some read those scripture and arrived at that conclusion that by believing and their good works they have earn themselves a ticket to heaven…but let’s look at Ephesians 2:8

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

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In life we judge people by their works, we are like the father that saw the work of his sons and reward them. God however is not man he sees the heart

1 Samuel 16:7 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a]for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Matthew 22:11

11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen

If we believe in Jesus and have done good works but our heart is not right, how can we fool God who looks at man’s heart?

Matthew 18:3: and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Being child-like means being innocent, meek and humble, and having total trust in God Your Father that He will take good care of you, no matter what.  What infant worries about money, clothes, or promotions at work?

Let us be like the younger son and apply Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

If God was to say there is no heaven , no everlasting life there is no reward….would you stop loving Him? Or would you be like the younger son who does the work because he love his father and not because of the reward?

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