Face To FaithSample

It’s one of the saddest things I hear from time to time—that many people will fall short of Heaven by twelve inches, the distance between your head and your heart.

See, many people learn about Jesus intellectually, but fail to gain that emotional connection with Jesus that we all need. Other people stir themselves into a frenzy emotionally, but don’t even remember who they’re singing about.
I have three words for us today that can help you ensure that you don’t fall short of Heaven, but don’t jump to conclusions here, because they are not the three words you think they might be.

You might think the three words are, “God loves me.” No doubt that these are three wonderful words, but knowing that God loves you will not get you to Heaven. After all, He loves everyone, but not everyone’s going to Heaven.
Or they might be, “Yes, I believe,” but those don’t cut it either. Demons believe in God, too, but we certainly won’t find them in Heaven.

How about, “Christ close by”? Nope, not this one either. If Christ is just close by, then it’s close, but no cigar.
Maybe “Christ on cross” will work. Well, it actually doesn’t, because it’s like, “Well, that’s nice that you know Christ died on the cross and wear that little piece of gold around your neck, but I see no evidence of your faith in your life.”
Let’s try, “Christ forgives sin.” Yep, you’re right; He does forgive sin. And? What about it?

Oh, I know, the three words must be, “He is risen,” right? Wrong. Many, many people have seen the empty tomb in Jerusalem, but they still aren’t heading to Heaven.

“Jesus is Lord,” that must be it! Again, it’s good, but it’s just another doctrinal, theological point that we could discuss and debate without any change taking place in our lives.

So what are those three words? I’ll tell you. The three words are, “Christ in you.” That’s it. You can take all the rest of these words and they’re all nice things to know, great things to believe and to have learned, but until Christ is in you then none of it matters.

Is Christ in you? I hope that He is today, because there’s nothing sadder to Him than someone who misses Heaven by twelve inches.

Prayer
Jesus Christ,
Thank You so much for all I have learned about You, and thank You even more for teaching me today that none of those are enough. Please come in me today and change my life now and for eternity!
Amen