To
open a combination lock, not only are all the right numbers needed, but they
must be entered in the order and manner specified by the lock manufacturer.
Nobody but the maker gets to determine how to open the lock.
So if you are given a combination lock,
how do you open it?
1. Listen to the instructions.
If we never read the instructions and try and open the lock our own way, it
won't work.
2. Have confidence the instructions will work.
What would lead us to believe following the instructions will open the lock?
Perhaps we have seen others use locks from the same maker and they have been
successful. If they were not, the lock maker would be out of business. So
we have an expectation of success.
If we are given instructions but ignore them, we will fail to open the lock.
3. Correctly follow the instructions.
I emphasize 'correctly'. If we try picking our own numbers, perhaps ones that
we like better, or use the right numbers but in the wrong order, the lock still
remains closed.
What about Heaven?
How is Heaven opened to us?
Like the lock, heaven is opened when we do things as specified by the
creator. God, being the creator of Heaven, specifies what needs to be done
and how it is to be done. Let's see what He has to say.
1. Hear Gods Word - Listen to the instructions.
I
Corinthians 1:21 - "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe."
Romans
10:17 tells us hear that hearing God's word will lead to faith.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2. Believe Jesus is the Christ - Have confidence, based on past evidence
given to us by God.
John
8:24 Jesus says, "for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in
your sins."
3. Repent of sin, turn away from sin and toward God.
Luke 13:3
instructs, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish."
4. Confess Jesus as the Christ.
Romans
10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
5. Be Baptized
Acts
2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost."
When these things were done, God opened heaven to the
individuals who did them.
Acts
2:47, "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved."
However, to keep Heaven open to us, we must remain faithful or, like a lock
clicking shut, Heaven will become closed. Should we allow that to happen,
God shows us in Acts
8:22 that repentance and prayer are required to return unto him.
Can we help you follow God's instructions?
-- Zachary Van Tassel, May 2002 --
