ICS Daily Devotions
The Only Way to Heaven
Luke 16: 19-20, 27-30 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,….. 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
This rich man met all the prerequisites for spending eternity apart from God because he rejected the chance to receive Jesus. He belonged to the high society and spent his life focused on himself and his needs. This description fits the lifestyle of many living in big cities today. There is an emphasis on the importance of looking good, being seen in trendy clothes, flashy cars, and dining at high-end restaurants. This man was contented with the material things and all that this life has to offer. He might even have procrastinated in knowing the truth so that he can continue to enjoy the life that he was having.
The message here is not saying that it is wrong to be rich or to enjoy the luxurious life if we can afford it. Money is not the root of evil because money is neutral and all of us need it to survive. The Bible says, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. When we love mammon then we will not have the love for God in our lives – God will not be our first priority in life.
We are all aware that we will all die one day and so did this rich man. He found himself in a very unpleasant place. He was full of regrets and unfortunately it will last for eternity in this place of torment. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus from the dead to warn his brothers. His wish was for his brothers to seek the truth, the Saviour and not to go to the place of torment. Lest they live in regret like him!
Nobody is able to enter into the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. It doesn’t matter whether we grow up in a Christian family, observe all the law, rituals and ceremonies or even served in the church. The only way to enter into the Kingdom of God is to be born again!
John 3:5-6 (NKJV) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jesus is saying in this passage that we have another chance to start a new life in the born again experience. The born again experience is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and it has nothing to do with our physical body. The mind will not be able to comprehend spiritual things. We might not have led a godly life before coming to know Jesus. The people whom we are trying to reach out to might not be very godly but they definitely need God. The good news is God loves them! Every ungodly person is entitled to be saved.
All of us have made many mistakes and experienced much sorrow in life because of the wrong decisions that we’ve made. Sometimes, we wonder whether we’re able to push the restart button on our lives again and start doing things in the right manner. Some people might wonder if they could ever break free from their current lifestyle that’s destroying them. The good news is “Yes” we’re able to do it! It is through the new birth! Jesus used the word, UNLESS one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
God loves you so much that He sent His only son Jesus to died for you so you can spend eternity in Heaven. Heaven is a real place! If you don’t know Jesus yet, make a decision today to repent of your sins and receive Jesus into your heart.
Sermon Series: Nicodemus
