How Do You Get To Heaven?

          How do you get from one place to another.  Most of us use a vehicle of some sorts if the distance is more than 100 yards.  The question comes up as to how you would get to heaven.  There used to be a song that church young people sang that listed the various ways you couldn't get to heaven.  One of the verses said that you can't get to heaven in a Model-T.  It was a cute song and did underscore one important message.  The way to get to heaven is very precise.  Many people, however, still try to conjure up a way that will get them to "heaven."  Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "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.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."   
     People will try to devise ways to get to heaven such as doing good works.  This will encompass a large number of groups.  They will be the ones that tell you that there is a certain list of things that must be done while you are here on earth in order for you to get to heaven when you die.  Now, this isn't something new.  It has been around for hundreds of years.  Martin Luther was against this type of thing when he attacked the sale of indulgences in the church.  The verses for today simply remind us just how salvation works.  It is by God's grace that we get saved.  Paul goes on to say that it is not of works in order than a person could make a boast that they received heaven on their own merits.  No, it is completely free and it is an absolute gift from God.  Now, a lot of things happen when a person gets saved.  If you could draw a line, you could not make it thin enough to indicate just when things take place in your spiritual life.  For instance, the moment that you are saved you are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, Baptized by the Holy Spirit and Sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Now, that doesn't take place hours or days, or weeks after the salvation experience.  It takes place the moment you are saved.  You may ask, "How does repentance figure into this picture?"  Some have viewed repentance as a requirement prior to salvation while others may say that repentance then becomes a work.  Regardless of these two views, one thing is certain.  Repentance is necessary for it is an indication of  what has just taken place in a person's life.  Are you sorry for your sins or are you looking for fire insurance?   There is not going to be salvation without a conviction of sin.  Paul mentioned in Romans 3 that all were sinners and that there were none that were seeking after God.  So, how are you going to get to heaven?  Well, it won't be in a Ford Model-T.    It will be by God's grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross for your sins.  Praise God today that you don't have to work for your salvation.