Ticket to Heaven?

How is our walk with God? Are we living continually in the hope that our lives are in tune with His will, confident and assured that our ultimate destination is God’s Kingdom? Is there peace in our heart, knowing that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from all our sins, and we’re walking in a constant state of forgiveness? Or have we somehow missed the mark and slipped out of God’s covering? We may try to do the right thing, and live as honestly and justly as we can, but the world is a minefield of temptation and pitfalls, and it’s an effort to stay upright and steadfast. We can ultimately fall into a downward spiral of depression and hopelessness.

‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless’ (Psalm 84:11). Yes, but can we say our walk is blameless? Can we afford the price of the ticket to heaven, and how much does it cost? Perhaps we can just about get our foot in the door.

So how do we get there, and walk through the door of salvation? Is this too big for us to comprehend? ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us’ (Ephesians 1:7-8). But how can we receive it?

There is only one way, by looking to Jesus. He has the key to eternal life. He is the key. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Jesus said, “I am the Way” (John 14:6). But He has already paid the price for us all. The doorway is narrow. We must offload our excess baggage - all the weight that is dragging us down – on to the cross of Christ. Let Him take it, and carry it to death, once and for all.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Come to the mercy seat of repentance. Lay your life before Him. “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). 'Turn to me and be saved ... for I am God, and there is no other’ (Isaiah 45:22).

The way is open. The promise is made. Take it. Receive it. Cherish it. It’s valid indefinitely, even beyond the grave. And it’s free.

Now we can walk into the glory He has made ready for us. ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9). And we don’t need a ticket.