"Have Mercy on Me"

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’”(Luke 16:22-24 ESV)

There is a story about a reporter speaking to three men. First, a Jewish man. The reporter asked, When you die, where will you go? The man said I will go to Gan Eden (heaven). The reporter asked, “How do you know? Well, I love the Torah, I keep all the rituals and feasts. And I have done the Siyum Hashas, having read the complete Talmud. The reporter said, “Ok, that makes sense.”

Next, the reporter spoke to a Muslim man and asked the same question, “Where will you go when you die?” The man replied, “I will go to Paradise.” The reporter again asked, “How do you know?” The man replied I love the Quran, I pray at each prayer time. I have completed the seven pillars, and I believe in the articles of faith. I have performed righteous deeds and have asked for forgiveness for my sins. The reporter replied, “I see that makes sense.”

Then the reporter came to a true Christian and asked the same question, “ Where will you go when you die?” And the man said, I will go to heaven. “The report asked, “How do you know?” The man said, I am a sinner. I have broken every commandment of my God. I am weak in temptation, and I cannot save myself. The reporter said, “I do not understand. You have broken all God’s commandments, you’re a massive sinner, you're always tempted, and you have done nothing to try to get to heaven. How can you say you will be in heaven? It sounds like you are headed to hell to me. The Christian replied, “I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. It is not on my merit that I go to heaven, but the merit Jesus has bestowed upon me. While I struggle here in this place, I know my Savior will bring me to heaven because it is by His sacrifice and His blood that I am washed clean and made righteous before God.” The reporter walked away shaking his head.

We cannot save ourselves. There are factions that call themselves Christians, but they are works-based religions that require the believer to do something on their part to be saved. Jesus did not come in the incarnation to say, “I am going to save the world from sin; all you need to do is your part, be saved. To the contrary, Jesus said, “ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”(John 6:47)

The ”true Christian” understands they are a sinner. They understand they cannot save themselves (Romans 3) and that they need a Savior. The true Christian understands they are saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone, in Christ alone, through Scripture alone, all for the glory of God alone. The fathers of the Reformation made this clear and rebelled against the Roman Catholic church, which excommunicated many and murdered many under an anathema, or damnation. that has never been revoked and is

still a belief today.

There is one way to heaven, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, seek Him today. He is the only way to have eternal life in heaven. Ask Him into your heart, repent your sins, and place your faith in the finished work of the risen Son of God.

Grace and Peace.