Do you believe that as long as you are a good person with a good heart, you will enter into heaven? Do you believe that as long as you do good things, God will accept you no matter what religion you practice? The Bible gives us answers to these two questions by posing a problem and offering a solution…

The Problem:
The problem the Bible addresses is this: YOU ARE A SINNER.
The Bible says, “All have SINNED and fall short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) (emphasis added).

God has a standard (or a law) for the way we ought to live our lives. This law includes how we act, what we say, and even what we think. When we break God’s law by a wrong behavior, word or attitude, it is called sin.

Even if we sin once in our lives, we miss God’s perfect standard (we fall short of the Glory of God) and we are considered lawbreakers in God’s eyes. The Bible says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (Jam. 2:10)

Suppose God tells us that the way to get to heaven is by swimming around the world without stopping. If we stop, we break the law and are considered disqualified. Some can swim further than others, but nobody can swim around the world non-stop.

The Bible also tells that God is 100% perfect and will not accept anything less than 100% perfection. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). For God to accept anything less than 100% perfection would go against His nature of being God.

The Result of the Problem:
Since God is perfect and we can never be perfect because of our sin, God must punish our sin: “For the wages of sin is DEATH” (Romans 6:23) (emphasis added). A “wage” is something we earn or deserve. The Bible tells us that we deserve “death” for our sin. Death means that when we die, we are separated from God forever. This is a problem that none of us can solve on our own. But God provides a solution…

The Solution:
God loves us so much that He provided a solution for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“For Christ died for (our) sins once for all, the righteous (Jesus) for the unrighteous (you and me), to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18a).

There are many men who have died for a cause, but Jesus is the only one who died for a cause, then was raised from the dead and still lives. “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…He was buried and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The fact that Jesus suffered, died and was buried is the proof He paid for our sin. The fact that He rose from the dead is proof that He has power over death and sin.

So What Do We Do With The Solution?
Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, what is our response? The Bible tells us we must believe…
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (to die on the cross for our sins and be raised on third day), that whosoever BELIEVES in Him (Jesus) shall not perish (be punished for their sins), but have everlasting life (live with God forever).” (John 3:16) (emphasis added).

To believe in Jesus means to trust Him. It is like getting on a plane and trusting the plane and the pilot to take you to your destination. When you enter the plane and take your seat, you are demonstrating your trust in the pilot and the plane. You do not try to help the plane by flapping your arms while you are in your seat. And you do not try to help the pilot by demanding that you steer the plane. You simply trust the pilot and the plane.

In the same way, you must trust that Jesus paid for your sin. He does not need your help because He paid for your sin in full.

If you trust Jesus, right now, to get you to heaven, pray to Him by faith. Remember, you are not helping Him to get you to God by praying to Him, you are simply making a proclamation that you cannot get to God on your own and you have placed your trust in Him to do that for you. Please pray…

Dear Lord Jesus, I admit I’m less than perfect because I’m a sinner. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and You rose on the third day. I trust the work You did on the cross has paid for my sins in full and therefore I will not be punished for it. Please help me to trust You daily not only to save me from my sin, but to help me be the person You want me to be.”

To trust Jesus means you no longer trust in your own works to get to heaven, but you trust in the work He did on the cross and His resurrection. When Jesus pays for your sin, you are free from paying for your sin. You can have hope that He has rescued you from the power of sin and given you a fresh start. This fresh start begins with you starting a new relationship with Him. He is the one who will help you daily as you grow in your faith. I would encourage you to do three things:

1. Pray daily – it is the means for you to communicate with God.

2. Read the Bible daily – it is the means for God to talk to you.

3. Join a local church – it is the means to have a family on earth who is on the journey with you to help you, encourage you, and teach you to walk with Jesus.

ABRAHAM - Father of the three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam ABU BAKHR / ABU BAKR– the first Caliph and successor to Muhammad ADHAN– call to prayer AHL AL-KITAB – “People of the Book.” Qur’anic reference to Christians, Jews, Sabaeans and Zoroastrians. AL-ADHA– “sacrifices.” Also a feast holiday on the Muslim calendar. ALI – cousin of Muhammad revered by Shi’ites. ALIM – a recognized scholar of the Qur’an and hadith. ALLAH – “the God.” Arabic name for God. ALLAHU AKHBAR – “God is great.” AL-WAHHAB – founder of the Wahhabis which led to the creation of the Saudi state in Arabia AYAT – lit., “sign.” A verse in the Qur’an. BISMILLAH – “In the name of God.” CALIPH – “successor.” A title given to the rulers of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad. DHIKR – “recollection (of God)” DIN – “religion” FARD – religious duty FATIMA – daughter of Muhammad FATWA – legal opinion FIQH – “understanding.” The science of legal interpretation. GABRIEL – the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad HADITH – lit., “new.” Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad. There exist various notable collections of hadith, such as al-Muwatta, al-Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca HANAFIS – a school of law named for Abu Hanif HANBALIS – a school of law named for Ibn Hanbal HAQQ - TRUTHHEGIRA – “migration.” The flight of Muhammad in 622 AD to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. HEZBOLLAH – the “Party of Allah.” Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem HOLY WAR – “jihad.” The act of striving to preserve or impose the religion of God. ID AL-FITR – feast at the end of Ramadan IFTAR – breaking of the fast after sunset IHRAM – cloth worn by the pilgrim to Mecca IJMA– consensus of the scholars IMAM– a Muslim religious leader INJIL– Arabic title for the holy book given to Jesus. INTIFADA - “awakening,” or “uprising” ISLAM – “surrender” ISNAD – the chain of authority of hadith JIHAD – “to strive for the faith.” Commonly referred to as a holy war to preserve or impose God’s religion. JINN– spirits JIZYA– poll tax judgment: heaven and hell KA'BA – lit., “square.” The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A structure believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham, and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage of all Muslims. KHADIJA – first wife of Muhammad KHARAJ – land tax KHUTBA – sermon during the Friday prayer MADHHAB – religious-legal school MADRASA – “school” MAHDI – “the rightly guided one” who will appear before the Last Judgment MALIKIS – a school of law named for Malik ibn Anas Mary, mother of Jesus MASJID – mosque. The common place of prayer. MATN – text of hadithMecca – The birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city in Islam, and is where the Ka’ba is located. Medina – The city 260 miles north of Mecca, where Muhammad took refuge in 622 AD. Muhammad built the first mosque in Medina and was buried there. MIHRAB – niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca MINARET – tower from which the call to prayer is made MINBAR – pulpit used for the Friday sermon MOSQUE – The common place of prayer MU'AWIYA – The Muslim leader who forced Ali out of the Caliphate. This began the division in Islam, with Mu’awiya leading the Sunni sect. mufti – legal scholar MUTA – temporary marriage pilgrimage (hajj) QADAR – “destiny” QADI– religious judge QIYAS – “analogy” QUR'AN – “recite.” The book that was revealed to Muhammad and is the basis of the Islamic faith. QURAYSH – the tribe from which Muhammad came. RAKA – bodily positions in ritual prayer RAMADAN – The month of fasting for Muslims, during which all Muslims who are able should abstain abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. RAY – “opinion” RIBA – usury SAHIH – a “sound” HADITH SALADIN (or, Salah al-Din) – Defeated the Crusader army in 1187 during the Third Crusade, returning Jerusalem to Islamic rule. SALAT– the prayer that is practiced by Muslims five times a day. SAWM– the fast during the month of Ramadan. During this month a Muslim should abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. SHAFI'I – intercessor on Judgment Day SHAFI'IS – a school of law named for al- SHAFISHAHADA – “confession.” The Muslim’s testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger. SHARI'A – “law.” Islamic law that governs daily life. SHARIF – “noble” SHI'AT ALI – “Party of Ali.” Shai’, or Shi’ite sect of Islam. SHI'ITE – “followers.” The name of the sect that followed Ali after Mu’awiya forced him from the Caliphate. SHIRK – the sin of blasphemy against God SHURA - council SIRAT – bridge over hell to be crossed at the Last Judgment SUFI – A Muslim mystic. SUFISM – A mystic sect of Islam. SUNNA – “tradition.” The deeds of Muhammad that serve as the example followed by the Sunni community. SUNNI – “followers of the path.” The name of the sect who followed Mu’awiya after he forced Ali from the Caliphate. SURA – A chapter of the Qur’an. There are 114 suras. TAHAJUD – night prayer TALAQ – divorce TARAWIH – prayers offered after the breaking of fast of Ramadan TARIQA – “path” TASFIR – Exegesis of the Qur’an. TASIN – beginning of sura TAWRAT – Arabic title for the Torah. TILAWAT – recitation of the Qur’an ULAMA– legal scholars Umayyad/Umayyads UMMA – the Muslim community URF – customary law UTHMAN - Uthman ibn ‘Affan was chosen as the third Caliph in 644. Wahhabis WAHID – “one” WAQF – a foundation or trust given for the establishment of charity or education. WUDU - ablution ZABUR – Arabic title for the Psalms of David. ZAKAT – almsgiving