Billy Graham: Salvation Game

Dear Dr. Graham: Now that I’m older, I think about heaven all the time, but I’m afraid I won’t go there when I die. I know I haven’t been perfect, so maybe God won’t let me in. How can I know? Or do I have to wait until I die? — N.M.

You can't know for sure. After all, there's not even proof that there is a God or Heaven, and that's a pretty big oversight by a supposedly all-knowing deity.

Dear N.M.: Salvation isn’t a game of chance; God doesn’t want us to sit around constantly wondering if we’re going to go to heaven when we die. Instead, He wants us to know — really know — that we will go to be with Him in heaven forever.

Then maybe he should, I don't know... prove that this isn't anything more than a silly old story of wishful thinking.

And we can know, once we understand what God has already done to make our salvation possible.

Okay, great. Lay it on me!

You see, you and I have a problem that can be summed up in one word: sin.

* Also not proven.

God is absolutely holy and perfect, and even one sin...

Because nothing says holy and perfect like murdering the entire world, women and children included...

— just one —would be enough to keep us out of heaven.  

So God isn't in Heaven?

But God loves us in spite of our sin, and because He loves us has provided another way for us to be saved. That way is Jesus Christ. 

Um, wouldn't it be infinitely easier and more moral to just forgive those that deserve it? I can do it. You can do it. Why can't God do it?

He was without sin 

Except that even according to the Bible, he wasn't! See for yourself.

Now God offers us salvation as a free gift — free, because Christ has already paid for it. Accept that gift by turning to Jesus Christ and trusting Him alone for your salvation.

By definition, requiring you to do something to receive this 'gift' means that it can't be a 'free gift'.

When you do, He’ll come to live within you, and someday He’ll take you to heaven. God’s promise is for you: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Did I miss the part where he proves that you can know that you're going the Heaven or even that there is a Heaven?  Because it looks to me that he only laid out the claim and nothing more.

-Brain Hulk

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