"The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved," wrote the prophet Jeremiah when Judah was surrounded by her enemies and it seemed that there was no hope of deliverance (Jeremiah 8:20). His sober words should cause us to ask ourselves, "Have I really got it all together? Or is it possible that after all the wonderful things I have done, I could fail to make it to heaven?"
Jesus shocked His hearers when He said, "I can see it now saying, ‘Master, we peached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use Me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress Me one bit. You’re out of here.’" (Matthew 7:22, 23, the message).
Is it possible that a person can go to church, can give large sums of money to charitable causes, be involved in community causes, own several Bibles, and yet die without the assurance of heaven? No–if entrance to heaven is based on what we do. Yes–if entrance into the presence of the Lord depends on your response to what Jesus Christ did. That’s the difference. Who or what unlocks the door? Our goodness, or what Christ did?
The disheartening fact about trying to earn our way to heaven is that we just can’t be good enough. In the heart of every person is rebellion against the Almighty.
When Jeremiah cried out, "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved," it was a somber alarm that triggered the question, "All right, then, what must I do to be saved?"
In three simple but profound steps, here is the answer.
First step: Acknowledge your need for a Savior. The Bible says that none of us–not a single one–is good enough to demand entrance into heaven. That’s why Christ had to come.
Second step: Believe that God will save you according to the promise of His word.
Third step: Confess Christ as Lord of your life. "If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
Take your spiritual pulse. It is one of the best things you can ever do. Make sure that when the harvest is over, you’re on God’s side. - Resource Reading: John 3