{"id":3135,"date":"2021-06-11T11:20:47","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T15:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/?p=3135"},"modified":"2022-05-23T16:32:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T20:32:34","slug":"are-you-good-enough-for-heaven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/are-you-good-enough-for-heaven\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Good Enough For Heaven?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are a lot of important questions to ask yourself in life, but none more than if you\u2019re a good person, and then more importantly \u2026 if you\u2019re \u201cgood enough\u201d to get into Heaven. Follow Joe Average on his journey.<\/p>\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_71621\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"  data-origwidth=\"800\" data-origheight=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TCSUKIhjevo?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Not only were we all born into a sinful, broken world, we all were born sinful and broken. Ignorant of God&#8217;s love and ways (design), we create our own way which leaves us all stuck in hurt, conflict, and loneliness. Think through this universal problem by watching The 3 circles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_74240\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"  data-origwidth=\"800\" data-origheight=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tjpt1gbVnOE?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With Jesus paying the full price for our sin, our response is very important! Since He is the only way to freedom from brokenness, you must stop trying to make yourself better and instead believe He is the only way out of your brokenness. The word <strong>believe<\/strong> means to trust in, cling to, and rely upon Jesus for paying for your sin. But unless you know what sin is, and what sin you are personally guilty of, you will not see you need forgiveness. The word <strong>repent<\/strong> means to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">turn from<\/span> living life your sinful way and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">turn to<\/span> following Jesus and living life by His direction. This step is too important to misunderstand, so please read the following very carefully.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\"><strong>HERE IS HOW TO REPENT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>1\/ THE LAW OF GOD MUST BE EXAMINED AND FACED JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IN A COURTROOM <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>[Read Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Galatians 5, Ephesians 2]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Why? because the law of God produces guilt<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1214 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/p-3iconyellow.jpg?resize=111%2C106&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"111\" height=\"106\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>\u201cObviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that\u00a0<strong>the entire world is<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>guilty before God<\/strong>.\u201d [Romans 3:19 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhen you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life\u00a0<strong>will not inherit the Kingdom of God.<\/strong>\u201d [Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3136 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-39.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-39.png 960w, https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-39-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>2\/ RESPOND TO THE GUILTY VERDICT WITH FULL ADMISSION OF YOUR SPECIFIC CRIMES, FOLLOWED WITH DEEP SADNESS <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Why? because guilt produces godly sorrow<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1213\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/p-2icon.jpg?resize=111%2C106&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"111\" height=\"106\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>\u201cCome close to God and he will come close to you.\u00a0<strong>Realize that you have sinned<\/strong>\u00a0and get your hands clean again. Realize that you have been disloyal and get your hearts made true once more.\u00a0<strong>As you come close to God you should be deeply sorry, you should be grieved, you should even be in tears.<\/strong>\u00a0Your laughter will have to become mourning, your high spirits will have to become heartfelt dejection.\u00a0<strong>You will have to feel very small in the sight of God<\/strong>\u00a0before he will set you on your feet once more.\u201d\u00a0<strong>James 4:8 (Phillips NT)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3137 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-42.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-42.png 960w, https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Follow-Me-Week-1-42-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>3\/ FULLY REPENT AND FOLLOW [LIKE A SERVANT] JESUS, YOUR NEW LORD <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Why? because only deep godly sorrow produces true repentance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1212\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-heartcross.jpg?resize=111%2C106&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"111\" height=\"106\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>\u201cFor\u00a0<strong>godly grief<\/strong>\u00a0and the pain God is permitted to direct,\u00a0<strong>produce a repentance\u00a0<\/strong>that leads and contributes to\u00a0<strong>salvation and deliverance from evi<\/strong>l, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly [breeding and ending in death].\u201c [2 Corinthians 7:10 (AMP)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLet the thief\u00a0<strong>steal no more<\/strong>, but rather let him be industrious,\u00a0<strong>making an honest living<\/strong>\u00a0with his own hands, so that he may be\u00a0<strong>able to give to those in need<\/strong>.\u201d [Ephesians 4:28 (AMP)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2904\" src=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/20-Follow-Me-Week-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/20-Follow-Me-Week-6.png 960w, https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/20-Follow-Me-Week-6-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">True repentance means first to stop your crime and in our example of a thief that is only the first step because this is only partial repentance. Next, the thief must get a job and earn his money. But this is still partial repentance because it does not deal with the heart of the sin, GREED. A greedy person steals and cheats, but a fearful or careful greedy person just works hard to stuff his own pockets. Here the Bible explains that true and full repentance is only proven when the ex-thief makes a 180 and joyfully gives some of his hard earned money to needy people. He no longer takes but turns around and gives.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>AN EXAMPLE PRAYER WOULD BE LIKE THIS:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Dear Father God,<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-843\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sin.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sin.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sin.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sin.png?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 450w\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>I realize you are my Creator, the Almighty God, and the only one who is good, just, and fair. Because of this you have the power to establish your law over the world including me, and the authority to tell me what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad, and how I should live my life. So I now bow to your authority and justice. I admit have broken your law _____________ [fill in the blank], and I am sorry and filled with grief in how I have acted.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Please, please forgive me! I now understand your love and mercy so I accept your offer of forgiveness through Jesus, your eternal son, dying in the place of my judgment. I turn from all the crimes I am practicing, I have no excuses, And I now am grateful for your mercy. Father in heaven, I choose to please You and follow my Lord Jesus by obedience to His commands all my days.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Now what should you do?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>THE NARROW ROAD OF OBEDIENCE \u2013 YOU ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE LIFE OF SIN (CRIME) AND OBEY FROM THIS DAY FORWARD \u2013 THIS IS THE NARROW ROAD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-86\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/payattention-logo.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/payattention-logo.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/payattention-logo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/narrowroadunderground.klptv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/payattention-logo.jpg?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Your new lifestyle begins with Christ\u2019s words in the Bible, \u201cDo to others whatever you would like them to do to you.<strong> This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets<\/strong>.\u201d [Matt 7:12 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">So be careful Jesus warns many will try to make the way to heaven easier than the narrow way of repentance. \u201cNot everyone who calls out to me, \u2018Lord! Lord!\u2019 will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, \u2018Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.\u2019 But I will reply, \u2018I never knew you.\u00a0<strong>Get away from me, you who break God\u2019s laws.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201c<strong>Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise<\/strong>, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won\u2019t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.\u201d [Matt 7:21-27 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Also, Jesus explained the narrow way of life his followers take, \u201c\u2018You must\u00a0<strong>love<\/strong>\u00a0the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.\u2019 This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: \u2018<strong>Love<\/strong>\u00a0your neighbor as yourself.\u2019 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.\u201d [Matt 22:37-40 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>BUT YOU MAY ASK WHAT IF I FAIL? YOU WILL AT FIRST, BUT OVER TIME, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE MORE AND MORE OF GOD\u2019S MIGHTY GRACE THAT GIVES YOU NEW DESIRES AND STRENGTH TO OBEY YOUR NEW LORD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>My dear children, I am writing this to you\u00a0<strong>so that you will not sin<\/strong>. But\u00a0<strong>if anyone does sin<\/strong>, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins\u2014and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.\u00a0<strong>And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.<\/strong>\u00a0If someone claims, \u201cI know God,\u201d but doesn\u2019t obey God\u2019s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God\u2019s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.<\/em>\u00a0[1 John 2:1-7 (NLT)]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Give yourself a HUGE break at first and remember you are a new baby in the faith. When babies learn to walk it takes time and even when you are older you may fall down, but it is less and less of an issue over time. Don\u2019t be discouraged, you will find God\u2019s strength because He gives His Holy Spirit to you and you gain the power to obey consistently. Give God time to work inside you, trust Him.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>MY DECISION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-859\" src=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/logo1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" \/>Let us help you. Have you come to the place that you know your spiritual crime, are sorry about it, and willing to bend your will to Jesus? Contact our pastor, or just join us Sunday at 11 am. We are your new family and want to meet you and help in your next steps as you follow Jesus. This is why we exist as a church helping those far from God to follow Him, and help each other love God and love our neighbors.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>NEXT STEPS |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/the-power-of-baptism-the-public-declaration-of-your-allegiance-to-god\/\">BAPTISM<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/next-steps-how-to-commit-to-church-membership\/\">JOIN THE FAMILY<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/relentless-pursuit-learn-to-love-through-giving\/\">RELENTLESS PURSUIT<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/guidelines-for-new-believers-meditating-on-gods-word-your-way-to-success\/\">GUIDELINES FOR NEW CHRISTIANS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/guidelines-for-new-christians-how-to-read-and-understand-the-bible\/\">READ THE BIBLE<\/a><\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are a lot of important questions to ask yourself in life, but none more than if you\u2019re a good person, and then more importantly \u2026 if you\u2019re \u201cgood enough\u201d to get into Heaven. Follow Joe Average on his journey. Not only were we all born into a sinful, broken world, we all were born sinful and broken. Ignorant of God&#8217;s love and ways (design), we create our own way which leaves us all stuck in hurt, conflict, and loneliness. Think through this universal problem by watching The 3 circles.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3138,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[174],"class_list":["post-3135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-discipleship-3","tag-gospel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3135"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3693,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3135\/revisions\/3693"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riveroflifetwinlake.org\/riveroflife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}