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"Going to Heaven or Hell only depends on you"

Salvation, the focal point of the religion of Christianity and the central issue around which so much controversy revolves. The Bible says it is a "free gift from God", yet the issue of "works" arises to cloud a stream that should flow clean and clear.

Example:
You awaken one morning. Your bills are all past due, your car broke down on your way home yesterday, it was towed and now you have a tow and impound bill to pay too, your landlord slipped an eviction notice under your door, and your refrigerator looks like something out of "Mother Hubbard". You call into work to explain to your manager why you can't come in to work today, and instead of getting the manager the owner of the company picks up the phone. In a fit of despair and anguish you spill your guts to him, telling him everything. Instead of firing you, he says you should get cleaned up and ready for work. 45 minutes later the owner is knocking on your door. You answer the door and he directs you to collect up all your bills and give them to him. He also wants your last three pay stubs. You walk outside with him and he takes you to a new car and hands you the keys and tells you not to worry about any of the bills, he'll take care of them. You return to your apartment that evening to find that it has been cleaned, new furniture and the refrigerator is fully stocked. On the dining table you see that every bill has been paid in full, and you see the title to the new car you drove to work this morning. There is also notification that your pay will be increased so that you can meet your needs.

How do you work to earn what the owner of the business has given to you? You already have a responsibility to work for him, to earn your pay, but what more can you do? If you work harder, you will receive the rewards for your harder work, so that won't repay him; however it will honor him and his gift to you.

God is like this business owner. His offer of Salvation is free; it cannot be earned or bought. Our response to His gift both brings honor, or dishonor, to Him and determines our destination. If we give freely, as freely it has been given to us, we honor Him. If we, out of fear of "works", are slothful and lazy, and we do not pass the gift along to as many as will, we dishonor Him.

Each one of us chooses how we will respond to God's gift to us. He will not force anyone to spend eternity with Him; neither will He force anyone to spend eternity apart from Him. Those who wish Heaven must follow He who made it by doing what is right, those who don't must follow a different path.

Learn more about this author, Burke McKay.
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