1. If I continue in my sin,
rebellion, unbelief and rejection of Christ as my Lord and Savior, and die in
my sins, it is a condition I deserve. (Pr. 1:23-33).
It will be my own responsibility. But if I am saved, taken to heaven, and live
for ever in God's glory and holiness, it will be the result of God's work
alone.
2. Death, eternal separation from God, is the result of deliberate
effort on my part. I do not read in the Bible of anyone going to hell for
Adam's sin. We are guilty of original sin. By it we are born with an evil
heart, and deserve to go to hell. But in the Word of God we are taught every
man will be judged for his own works. (II Cor. 5:10). If I go to hell it will
be the result of deliberate effort on my part. But salvation and eternal life
is the result of deliberate effort on God's part. (II Tim. 1:9).
3. Eternal wrath and condemnation is the just wage of my sin
and guilt. But eternal salvation is the gift of God's grace in Christ, (Rom.
4. There is nothing that keeps a man out of heaven but his
own unwillingness to bow to Christ and receive him as Lord and Savior. (Mt.
23:37; John
5. Any man who is saved by the grace of God will justify God
in his own condemnation. (Ps. 51:l-5).