Is Heaven Hard To Get Into?

Originally posted by Grimm22
If you ask me all you have to do is be a good person and be selfless and help others when you can.

You dont have to be a saint or even believe in a certain religion, as long as you are a good person thats all that truely matters.

Thats why I think people have been corrupted by religion, because they think that doing this and that is what god wants, but what god really wants is for people to not be corrupted by evil.

Its not about who's relgion is right or not, its about good to your fellow man and having morals and being selfless

I agree 100%

Go camping in the woods, and get up early to watch the sun raise.
That is heaven.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Go camping in the woods, and get up early to watch the sun raise.
That is heaven.

What if the weather is bad? The truth here is crystal clear.

Originally posted by Grimm22
If you ask me all you have to do is be a good person and be selfless and help others when you can.

You dont have to be a saint or even believe in a certain religion, as long as you are a good person thats all that truely matters.

Thats why I think people have been corrupted by religion, because they think that doing this and that is what god wants, but what god really wants is for people to not be corrupted by evil.

Its not about who's relgion is right or not, its about good to your fellow man and having morals and being selfless

Luke 19:10, “…the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] has come to seek and to save that which was lost .”

Being good? Selfless? Helpful?

Friend, according to God (Jesus Christ) humanity is lost. There is a "spiritual" problem at the root of humanity's condition of being lost. We are all sinners in need of salvation.

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance .”

That is why we must repent. The Greek word for repent is "metanoeo" {met-an-o-eh'-o} it means to "change one's mind." God desires all people to repent "from sin" and turn toward Him for salvation from sin.

1 Timothy 2:3-4, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men [people] to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

We need salvation if we are not already saved. Being good, selfless, and helpful should FOLLOW one's salvation experience, not be the cause of it. You see a person can be all of those things yet die in their sins and go to Hell. Get saved FIRST then your good deeds will become as fruit and Christ Jesus will reward you accordingly.

John 3:15-17, “…whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have eternal life.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “For God did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ”

We must BELIEVE IN Jesus Christ in order to be saved. We are saved THROUGH CHRIST JESUS not through our good deeds. But our good deeds will get us a reward, so there is some incentive to being good, selfless, and helpful.

Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

All of our self-righteous acts/deeds are like filthy rags to God. We can never DO enough nice things, good things, or commendable things in order to attain salvation. We need Christ Jesus for that.

Romans 3:10
As it is written:

“ There is none righteous, no, not one ;

No person is GOOD enough to go into God's presence in Heaven. Apart from Christ we are all UN-righteous, lost, and spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.

Romans 3:22
even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ , to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Figuratively speaking, God STAMPS us RIGHTEOUS as it were once we each "personally" put our faith or trust in Christ Jesus for salvation from sin. It is not possible to be rigteous in God's eyes through good deeds. Our good deeds will ONLY result in a reward ONCE we are saved. But our good deeds DO NOT save us or make us righteous in God's eyes.

Romans 3:24-28
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus , whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus .

Those who trust Jesus for salvation from sin are DECLARED RIGHTEOUS by God the Father. This "right-relationship" or "right-standing" before God is done for us freely by God's grace (underserved favor). For this reason it is futile to attempt to get to Heaven on good works. Salvation is free for us but it cost God the Father His Son. So, God the Father "justifies" or declares "just" (or righteous) those who have FAITH in Jesus FOR salvation. There is nothing that we can do to make ourselves good enough before God. Only God can "justify" us before Himself and that is what He does for those who realize that they can never be good enough to stand in His presence.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith , we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ,

There is amazing consistency among the Scriptures that we are justified (declared "good enough" to stand in God's presence, in lay-man's terms).

Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ , even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Works of the law is a reference to keeping the Law of Moses. We are not saved by keeping the Ten Commandments or other laws contained in the Law of Moses. Again, amazing continuity and consistency between the Old Testament and New Testament. We are not justifed by the works of the law (of Moses) or by our good works, but ONLY through our personal faith in the Son of God--Jesus the Christ.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God ,

By grace: God the Father's love and grace motivated Him to send His only Son to die for the sins of the entire world so that we could be saved from the consequences of our sins.

Through faith: We appropriate what Jesus accomplished on OUR BEHALF by faith (personal, earnest trust in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin).

Not of yourselves: we are NOT saved by our selflessness, helpfulness, or good deeds. The Word of God continually reiterates this and has made it abundantly clear.

It is the gift of God: Friends, no matter how hard you try you CANNOT earn or merit a gift. Salvation from sin is a FREE gift provided by God but held in trust as it were IN CHRIST.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness , which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith ;

Our righteousness is not self-attained but applied to our lives respectively THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. This is a constant, steadfast, reality shown throughout the New Testament.

2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Again, we are NOT saved by our good works no matter how helpful, selfless, or commendable.

Titus 3:5-7
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior , that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This verse sums up everything that I have written, succinctly.

I hope this helps.

🙂

Originally posted by JesusIsAlive
[B]Luke 19:10, “…the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] has come to seek and to save that which was lost .”

Being good? Selfless? Helpful?

Friend, according to God (Jesus Christ) humanity is lost. There is a "spiritual" problem at the root of humanity's condition of being lost. We are all sinners in need of salvation.

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance .”

That is why we must repent. The Greek word for repent is "metanoeo" {met-an-o-eh'-o} it means to "change one's mind." God desires all people to repent "from sin" and turn toward Him for salvation from sin.

1 Timothy 2:3-4, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men [people] to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

We need salvation if we are not already saved. Being good, selfless, and helpful should FOLLOW one's salvation experience, not be the cause of it. You see a person can be all of those things yet die in their sins and go to Hell. Get saved FIRST then your good deeds will become as fruit and Christ Jesus will reward you accordingly.

John 3:15-17, “…whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have eternal life.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “For God did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ”

We must BELIEVE IN Jesus Christ in order to be saved. We are saved THROUGH CHRIST JESUS not through our good deeds. But our good deeds will get us a reward, so there is some incentive to being good, selfless, and helpful.

Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

All of our self-righteous acts/deeds are like filthy rags to God. We can never DO enough nice things, good things, or commendable things in order to attain salvation. We need Christ Jesus for that.

Romans 3:10
As it is written:

“ There is none righteous, no, not one ;

No person is GOOD enough to go into God's presence in Heaven. Apart from Christ we are all UN-righteous, lost, and spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.

Romans 3:22
even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ , to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Figuratively speaking, God STAMPS us RIGHTEOUS as it were once we each "personally" put our faith or trust in Christ Jesus for salvation from sin. It is not possible to be rigteous in God's eyes through good deeds. Our good deeds will ONLY result in a reward ONCE we are saved. But our good deeds DO NOT save us or make us righteous in God's eyes.

Romans 3:24-28
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus , whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus .

Those who trust Jesus for salvation from sin are DECLARED RIGHTEOUS by God the Father. This "right-relationship" or "right-standing" before God is done for us freely by God's grace (underserved favor). For this reason it is futile to attempt to get to Heaven on good works. Salvation is free for us but it cost God the Father His Son. So, God the Father "justifies" or declares "just" (or righteous) those who have FAITH in Jesus FOR salvation. There is nothing that we can do to make ourselves good enough before God. Only God can "justify" us before Himself and that is what He does for those who realize that they can never be good enough to stand in His presence.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith , we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ,

There is amazing consistency among the Scriptures that we are justified (declared "good enough" to stand in God's presence, in lay-man's terms).

Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ , even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Works of the law is a reference to keeping the Law of Moses. We are not saved by keeping the Ten Commandments or other laws contained in the Law of Moses. Again, amazing continuity and consistency between the Old Testament and New Testament. We are not justifed by the works of the law (of Moses) or by our good works, but ONLY through our personal faith in the Son of God--Jesus the Christ.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God ,

By grace: God the Father's love and grace motivated Him to send His only Son to die for the sins of the entire world so that we could be saved from the consequences of our sins.

Through faith: We appropriate what Jesus accomplished on OUR BEHALF by faith (personal, earnest trust in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin).

Not of yourselves: we are NOT saved by our selflessness, helpfulness, or good deeds. The Word of God continually reiterates this and has made it abundantly clear.

It is the gift of God: Friends, no matter how hard you try you CANNOT earn or merit a gift. Salvation from sin is a FREE gift provided by God but held in trust as it were IN CHRIST.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness , which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith ;

Our righteousness is not self-attained but applied to our lives respectively THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. This is a constant, steadfast, reality shown throughout the New Testament.

2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Again, we are NOT saved by our good works no matter how helpful, selfless, or commendable.

Titus 3:5-7
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior , that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This verse sums up everything that I have written, succinctly.

I hope this helps.

🙂 [/B]

The wise man makes his own heaven while the foolish man creates his own hell here and hereafter.

Originally posted by mahasattva
What if the weather is bad? The truth here is crystal clear.

Then heaven becomes hell. 😉

Though you can click you heels 3 times.........and be back again... 😗

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Then heaven becomes hell. 😉

It seems to me that no matter how we live in the wonderful and beautiful place or environment if the workings of the mind of the people are deluded, they are bound to delusions that happiness or salvation is far reach to see from our their own lives. We'll, in fact, neither heaven(pure land) nor hell(impure land) exist both lies within our five-foot body.

It is this powerful statement of the enlightened mind of the Shakyamuni, the Buddha(Enlightened One), which speaks during preaching assembly:

"....For asamkhya kalpas
constantly I have dwelled on Holy Eagle Peak
and in various other places.
When living beings witness the end of a kalpa
and all is consumed in a great fire,
this, my land, remains safe and tranquil,hypocrite
constantly filled with heavenly and human beings. pile
The halls and pavilions in its gardens and groves
are adorned with various kinds of gems.
Jeweled trees abound in flowers and fruit
where living beings enjoy themselves at ease. group
The gods strike heavenly drums,
constantly making many kinds of music.
Mandarava blossoms rain down,
scattering over the Buddha and the great assembly.

My pure land is NOT destroyed,
yet the multitude SEE it as consumed in fire,furious
with anxiety, fear and other sufferings sadangel sadwalk
filling it everywhere.blowup
These living beings with their various offenses,
through causes arising from their evil actions,
spend asamkhya kalpas
without hearing the name of the Three Treasures....."

"My pure land is not destroyed." What power these words convey...!!!!

No one can get to the Father expect through the Son. Once you expect Jesus into your heart as your personal lord and savior that's it, you are going to heaven. Nothing can destroy your salvation.

I just saddled up my unicorn !!!!!!

Ready now... 😄

Job 39:9
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

A unicorn was untamable. But early drawings of unicorns had as many as three horns and weren't horses but resembled more of a certain dinosaur we know today.

Originally posted by ESB -1138
Job 39:9
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

A unicorn was untamable. But early drawings of unicorns had as many as three horns and weren't horses but resembled more of a certain dinosaur we know today.

The unicorn is not real. 🙄

Never know though....yet, this has nothing to do with Jesus.

Not anymore but early drawings of a unicorn resembled more of a Triceratops then a horse.

Originally posted by ESB -1138
Not anymore but early drawings of a unicorn resembled more of a Triceratops then a horse.

You need to show these early drawings. I have never seen any drawings of a unicorn that resembles a Triceratops, and I have studied art.

I have also never heard this. Goat with a lion's tale I have seen and heard, as well as some speculation that it was built from stories of a single-horned, woolly-mammoth type creature that became extinct during the ice age. But never a triceratops.

2 maybe 3 horns for this is a side view

Ah, how we love Wikipedia!

I must say, though, I still find it a stretch to go from that drawing to triceratops. Not that I've seen a triceratops recently...my time machine isn't working yet.

Originally posted by ESB -1138

2 maybe 3 horns for this is a side view

So you think that is a unicorn? No one knows what that is. 🙄

Originally posted by mahasattva
The wise man makes his own heaven while the foolish man creates his own hell here and hereafter.

Why did you post this? The wise man makes his own heaven? The foolish man creates his own hell...? You are more intelligent than this Mahasattva, and you can do better than this.

🙂