I’ve had a couple of people give me great (bad) examples for this Seriously. I had engaged each of them and as we were having a friendly discussion, I asked if they knew where they would spend eternity. They answered with enthusiasm “heaven.” Then I asked them why they believed that. They each sort of shrugged their shoulders and didn’t have a good response.
What if a coworker, or your eight year old, asked you those questions? Would you have answers that are biblical and lead them to eternal life?
- We are all sinners deserving death and hell. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
- We are not saved by good works or being a “good person.” Any good we do is simply the RESULT of being in Christ, NOT what earns us a place in Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).