Are You Registered?

This is a tough post to write.  It shouldn’t be but to some people talking about Religious Beliefs are off limits!!  

I would never want to offend anyone!! God gives us each a will to choose what we believe.

It’s our choice!  

In tonight’s message my Pastor (aka Daddy:) challenged us to take a stand for what we believe.

This is your moment!! You were born for such a time as this!!

 

So, here it is. I’m going to be honest and share what I believe!!  

I was raised in the home of a Baptist Preacher. I am very thankful for my heritage and wouldn’t trade it for anything!  

I am a Baptist Girl! I married a Baptist Boy and we are raising our children in the Baptist Religion.

Am I going to Heaven because I am a Baptist??  

I have many family and friends who I love dearly who are of different denominations. Some are Pentecostal, Methodist, Catholic, Non-Denomination, the list could go on!

 

What about them?

 

You know what I have found most interesting about the races that I have been running??  

You can only race if you are registered.

You have to sign up!  

I will never forget the day that I signed up for my first 5K.   We were on our way to Baton Rouge for a Christmas get together with my sweet Grandma. I was searching for races on my phone and found the Cypress 5K. I sent Michelle a text to see what she thought about it. She said, “Let’s Do it!!” After a few clicks, I was registered!!

Here’s the interesting part.

When I showed up on race day they didn’t sit me down for an interview. No one asked me, “How long have you been training?” “Are you qualified to be here??” “Can you even finish??”  

The only thing they checked was to see if my name was on the list!  

Did I take the time in my busy life to sign up for this race??

I believe that is exactly how it will be when we get to Heaven.   

No one is going to be at the gate doing interviews.   No one is going to check to see what religious organization I was affiliated with.      My Baptist religion has nothing to do with my eternal destination!   No matter who you are and what religious tag you have we all must be born again!

 

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  

No one is going to be there to see if my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds.  

Eph. 2:8, 9 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.  

No one is going to ask if I am qualified or deserve to be there.  

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

God is simply going to check to see if in my busy life, I took the time to sign up!  

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die, to take our place.  

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

There is nothing that I can do to earn Heaven.

If I could earn it then why did He have to die??  

Because of my sin, I deserve Hell. We all do!!

But He paid for my sin on the cross!!  

So how do you register??

How do you get your name in the book of life?  

You come to Him in child-like faith, believing that His death on the cross was enough to pay for all your sin.  

You place your faith and trust in Him not in yourself!!   I know it sounds simple, Right?  

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

It’s a gift!

We just have to receive it!  

I remember the day I signed up!  

Do you??