A Place Called Heaven DevotionalSample

Heaven Helps Us Prepare for Judgment 

In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” There is not one road that leads everybody to the same destination. 

Jesus said there are two roads that lead to two very different destinations. One road leads to eternal death. Jesus said most people are on that road. Do you know how you can make certain you go to hell when you die? Just do nothing. Keep going the way you are going, and you are guaranteed to end up in hell. We are all born on the road leading away from God.

You say, “How do I get off that road?” Thankfully, there is also a road that leads to eternal life. You have to make a spiritual U-turn to get off the road to hell and get on the narrow road that leads to heaven.

The Bible says the only way you will go to heaven is to get off the road you are on, repent, and put your faith in Jesus to lead you to heaven. The word "repent" means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. 

Jesus made that clear in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” There are two gates—one that opens to eternal death and one that opens to eternal life. As brief as this life is, the choices we make now impact our eternity forever. Focusing on heaven prepares us for the certainty of judgment.

Which road are you on today: the road to hell or the road to heaven? If you haven’t done so already, will you make a spiritual U-turn and put your faith in Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to live a perfect life and die on the cross to pay the full penalty for my sins. You alone are worthy to judge the living and the dead. May I put my faith in You and make choices every day that honor You.