Let's Get Serious About Going To Heaven!

The story is told of an amateur golfer who once asked a local golf pro if taking golf lessons from him would guarantee a better score. The wise old pro replied, "Not until you get serious about golf!" The instructor had learned an important lesson from indifferent students — that those who just don't care, just don't succeed. Many folks still need to learn this important lesson, especially in the spiritual realm.

One of the most dangerous enemies of God's truth today, is complacency. Empty pews declare the fact that many Christians are just not serious about going to heaven. The man who becomes careless and negligent about worshiping God, is a man who is not serious about going to heaven.

Participation is one of the most obvious indicators of interest in any activity. For the Christian, active participation in spiritual activities such as Bible classes and worship services, is not only an expression of faith, but an expression of interest as well. When only half as many members attend Sunday evening services as they do Sunday morning services, it indicates a serious lack of spiritual interest and commitment. We say that sinners need to "hear" the gospel (Romans 10:17), and that saints need to be edified (Ephesians 4:12; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26). But conduct a gospel meeting for that very purpose, and hear again the incriminating testimony of the empty pew. We need to really ask ourselves, "Are we really serious about serving God and going to heaven?"

Some Christians have not been exhorted to involve themselves in personal evangelism. However, do we not understand the value of a soul? (Matthew 16:26), and so we not know that only the gospel can save lost souls? (Romans 1:16), and do we not know that the fields are "white unto harvest"? (John 4:35 KJV), that time is short (John 9:4), and the laborers are few? (Luke 10:2). How many of us are involving ourselves with reaching the lost in a meaningful way?

None can deny the fact that our closed and little used Bibles are harbingers of spiritual weakness. The man who has no interest in reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures, cannot be very serious about his salvation. Neither can the man who has forsaken prayer and introspection. When thoughts of Christians are seldom centered on "things that are above" (Colossians 3:2), it is evident their thoughts are not headed toward heaven.

Dear reader, seriousness about salvation must flavor every facet of our life! It means to "seek first" the Lord's kingdom (Matthew 6:33). We must never deceive ourselves into thinking that anything less is good enough for the Lord. He does not want second best, nor does He want our leftovers! (Leviticus 22:17-24; Malachi 1:6-8).

Let's Get Serious About Going To Heaven!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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