What I would imagine a conversation would be with a younger me, 18 years ago, about SIN & HEAVEN…

OLD ME: Sin. What exactly is sin?

NEW ME: Without getting too theological, it’s any act or thought that goes against the will of God.

OLD ME: Sooo, what’s God’s will?

NEW ME: As Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30, to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul & strength.

OLD ME: Okay, soooo, how exactly do I do that?

NEW ME: Well, Jesus reminds His people in John 14:15 that loving Him is exhibited by keeping and obeying His commandments.

OLD ME: What commandments?

NEW ME: The ones implied in Mark 12:30, which is a paraphrase of the 1st four of the Ten Commandments. The first being as found in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

OLD ME: So, sin is anything that you put before the Lord, right? 

NEW ME: Yes! Anything! Not just money and material things. Even relationships with others. Which is why Mark 12:31 prioritizes you & others as second to the Lord.

OLD ME: Are you kidding!? That’s impossible! I can’t possibly put God first in everything I do! As the old adage goes, “Nobody is perfect!”

NEW ME: You’re right, not one person can put God first all the time. Indeed, nobody is perfect. Except for One.

OLD ME: Does that mean I don’t love the Lord enough to get to heaven when I die? Does that mean I’m going to hell? I mean, I’ve done a lot of good things in my 31 years being in this world. I’m sure God will look at that. C’mon, give me a break!

NEW ME:  It’s not me giving anyone a break, trust me. It’s Him. See, loving the Lord isn’t about being perfect or trying to “make up” for imperfections by doing “good” things. I mean, how much “good” do you have to do to “make up” for the bad?

OLD ME: Hmmm? That’s a lot of good deeds, given it’s God.

NEW ME: That was a rhetorical question. The correct answer is none. No amount of good you can do can “make up” for your imperfect life in trying to appease God.

OLD ME: That’s a bleak outlook. That means my good deeds aren’t good enough to get a ticket to heaven? That’s crazy! That means no one deserves to get to heaven, right?

NEW ME: Yep!

OLD ME: Heaven must be pretty empty!

NEW ME: I’m not there yet, but I know I will be. See, James, heaven isn’t a place for “good” people.

OLD ME: Huh? It’s not?

NEW ME: Nope. Heaven is a place for “saved” people.

OLD ME: 

NEW ME: Let me explain. See, heaven isn’t a prize for doing good when we die. “Prize” would imply doing something to “earn” your way there. “Saved,” means exactly what is says…saved from your sins. See, we are “saved” through Jesus Christ. So, as good people aren’t in heaven, sinful people most certainly aren’t as well. Only “saved” people are.

OLD ME: Then why is the Bible full of of things that tell us to do good?

NEW ME: Good question. The Bible indeed instructs God’s people to do certain things that are a reflection of God’s love. See, how I said “God’s” people?  His people are those that “chose” to have a “relationship with Him,” and vice versa. And God’s people, doing what you would call “good” things, are motivated purely from the “overflow” of love that comes from God. The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 16:14 that all we do, we do in love. Thus, loving others, or what you would call “good,” is possible because of what 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because He first loved us.” The “overflow,” if you will, which takes us to John 14:15. Here, we come full circle in putting God first as a reflection of our love for Him. So you asked earlier, “What is God’s will?”…one word, “Obedience.”  And obedience because we love Him. Not because we want to earn His love. Make sense?

OLD ME: I think so. Sooo, what about heaven? I want to be one of “God’s people” so I can get to heaven. You said a relationship with Him? How exactly do you have a relationship with the “Big Man Upstairs” who made the universe and everything in it?

NEW ME: Another good question. You’ve heard of the Holy Trinity, right?

OLD ME: Yes, that’s where I attended grade school. .

NEW ME: *Sigh* …. Okay smart alec, I’m talking about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know you know what that is.

OLD ME: Yes, I do.

NEW ME: Okay, smarty pants, who then is the Son?

OLD ME: That’s easy, Jesus Christ.

NEW ME: Yes, and you believe that Jesus is fully God?

OLD ME: I guess so. That’s what they told me in grade school … And by the way, you said “saved” again. What does that exactly mean? Not sure I really get it.

NEW ME: Okay first of all, Jesus had to be fully God and fully Man. He was a Man because that’s how you and I can relate to God, “in a relationship with Jesus Christ.” It makes sense, right? God meeting us, literally, where we are. Thus, God became Man, as Jesus Christ. And He had to be fully God because it’s only God that can atone for, meaning forgive, the sins of all people. And He did that at the cross where He died for all; and He rose 3 days days later, on the day you call Easter, I call Resurrection Day! And why did God do this?…

OLD ME: Ummmm….I know this…

NEW ME: Don’t hurt yourself. See, James, God did this as captured in the most famous Bible verse of all, John 3:16…”For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

OLD ME: Yes, that verse. They made me memorize that in grade school.

NEW ME: Uh huh, I know. A lot of good it did you so far. Let’s throw in John 3:17 for good measure, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

OLD ME: Hmmm, never read that one before. 

NEW ME: I know you didn’t because you were more concerned about memorizing the popular verses. Okay, let’s get back on track. See, no man, woman, or child can atone for anyone’s sin, let alone the whole world. Only the Creator of the human race is qualified to erase sin completely, thus giving you that “ticket” to get to heaven. So, Jesus had to be fully God. Make sense?

OLD ME: Kind of, but I get the gist of what you’re saying.

NEW ME: Don’t worry, the whole Holy Trinity thing is not the easiest thing to comprehend. For now, as long as you understand why Jesus was fully Man and fully God.

OLD ME: Yep, I get that part now. You’re so smart!

NEW ME:  … Okay, actually I’m not. That’s the Holy Spirit taking over when I speak about God.

OLD ME: Huh?

NEW ME: We’ll get to that later. You need to be “saved” to understand how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

OLD ME: “Saved.” Okay, I asked earlier! What that does that exactly mean again?!

NEW ME: I’ll keep it simple. It’s truly acknowledging that you’re a sinner…

OLD ME: …Oh yep! That’s me! I’m a sinner, and pretty good one too!

NEW ME: Okay, don’t cut me off. …and need forgiveness through a qualified and Perfect Savior. … And trust me, I know how good a sinner you are. But I’m glad you acknowledge that. And also know that “all” are sinners as Romans 3:23 tells us. And that because of this “all” deserve spiritual death, which is hell, ala Romans 6:23.

OLD ME: Wow! I didn’t know that stuff was in the Bible!  Also, “qualified and Perfect?” What’s up with that?

NEW ME: Who is the only One you know who is perfect?

OLD ME: God.

NEW ME: Bingo! You just established that Jesus was fully God. Okay, now that you know that sinners, which is what you and I are, can’t get to heaven; and sinners can’t earn their way to heaven, where do you think people go if they don’t go to heaven?

OLD ME: Ummm? Hell?

NEW ME: <Long Pause> … Yes, hell. .

OLD ME: Oh. 

NEW ME: So you see why we say “saved?”  It’s the most appropriate word. As we already saw, the Bible uses this term in John 3:17. And again in Romans 10:9 it says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

OLD ME: That’s it? Just do that?

NEW ME: Yes. In this, truly confessing Jesus as Lord is tantamount to acknowledging your need for forgiveness by a Perfect Savior because of your sinful nature. And believing that God the Father raised Him from the dead is testament to accepting God’s divine power to erase all sin, thus “saving” all who do this.

OLD ME: Wow! God did that for me? The sinner that I am? And I most certainly didn’t deserve it. 

NEW ME: No, you didn’t. That’s what love does. It allows for Grace, or what I like to say “undeserved favor.”  Read Ephesians 2:8-9. It talks about this gift of Grace, Jesus’ death & resurrection, and how Grace through faith alone “saves” us, and not because of good works. If you jump to verse 10, it talks about the good works we do because we’re already saved. Not because we’re trying to be saved–liked we discussed earlier. Make these Ephesians verses life verses!

OLD ME: Okay, I will. Sooo, like we talked earlier? You mean doing good works as motivated by God’s love for me? And not to earn His love?

NEW ME: Yes, you got it! Now, this will all make much more sense when you open up your heart and do Romans 10:9, thus forging a relationship with Jesus Christ. In this, all your past, present and future sins will be forgiven, thus “saved.”

OLD ME: Okay, will give it some serious thought. But, a couple more questions: If I do this, I am going to Heaven when I die, right? And second, does that mean that I won’t sin anymore? That would be cool to be good all the time! But then again, you said “future sins.” Little confused.

NEW ME: First, yes, your eternal life with Jesus Christ is assured, once you’re saved. Second, you will continue to be a sinner. While you live in this world, you will continue to be in the fleshly body you’re in now. Thus, you will continue to be tempted by Satan and his legion of demons. Your fleshly body is already testament to your sinful nature, thus you will sin again after being saved.

OLD ME: Really?

NEW ME: Yes, but that’s the beauty of it! God’s gift of Grace through Jesus Christ is a free gift that He doesn’t take back once you truly accept it via a relationship with Him. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a “gift.” The Bible uses this term “gift” several times referring to God’s gift of Grace. We don’t take back gifts if another accepts it. And neither will God.

OLD ME: So once saved, I can sin all I want? I’ll still go to heaven?

NEW ME: Technically, yes. But see, once saved, the 3rd person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, now resides in you. Read John 14:17 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Here, the Holy Spirit, indwelling in you, is constantly tugging at your heart to do God’s will…which is?…

OLD ME: Obedience to Him!

NEW ME: Yes!

OLD ME: Sooo, you’re saying sometimes I won’t listen to the Holy Spirit and do my own thing, thus disobedience, which is sin.

NEW ME: Yes. Like I said, as long as you live in this world in that fleshly body of yours, Satan will tempt you! But, the Holy Spirit will also be working on you to reveal truth to you; to defend against the lies of the Enemy, which is Satan. Ultimately, the gift of freewill that God gave to all people, way back in Genesis to Adam & Eve and all after, is what we exercise to obey or not to obey. When we see ourselves obeying more would indicate a maturing of our relationship with God. This is when we can share the same message of the Gospel, that I am sharing with you now, with others more effectively. Our focus starts to shift to others, in love, like we discussed earlier in Mark 12:31.

OLD ME:  Wow. I see now. You really come full circle with those Bible verses, don’t you?

NEW ME: I don’t. God does! That’s why it’s called Truth!

OLD ME: … Oooo, I like that! … Okay, so as a saved person, if I choose not to obey, is my gift of salvation taken away?

NEW ME: No. As I said earlier, if you truly accepted Grace, it will not be taken away. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called Grace, would it?

OLD ME: Good point. 

NEW ME: See, sinning is our natural disposition as humans. It’s the very same reason why we need to be “saved.” Sinning as a saved person doesn’t affect your eternal salvation; but as sin is of the world, it will likewise affect your worldly circumstances. If you steal a candy bar versus stealing a car– the worldly consequences are vastly different. But in God’s eyes, stealing is stealing, it’s a violation of the Ten Commandments. But enter Grace, and all sin is forgiven past, present and future, as Jesus is the same in this manner as we see in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

OLD ME: I see. Hmmm? 

NEW ME: So, James, let me ask you, if a freakish accident were to happen to you, and you die in an hour…where do you think you’re going? Heaven or hell?

OLD ME: I don’t know.… 

NEW ME: So what are you waiting for?

Spring of 2003, James Bautista Fortes became NEW!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The OLD has passed away; behold, the NEW has come.”

–2 Corinthians 5:17

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”—Jeremiah 29:11

A beautiful verse that many find comfort when going through a trial. In it’s Old Testament context, this is what God promised for His chosen people, the Israelites, while they were in exile in Babylon. To remind them that He will never forsake them, and that they will return and be restored to their land in the future. A promise indeed of hope for a future.

Did you get that? This verse was for God’s chosen people! Today under the New Covenant, God’s people—His children, are those who have accepted His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior—the church. Not that we have replaced the Israelites as God’s chosen people; but rather we are grafted into God’s original plan—to bring His people back to Him. Back to Him in heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.

For Christians today, this verse reflects the promise of being restored to Him here today, and when we pass from this earth. For the non-believer, it’s a call to know the Planner of All Things—God Himself, through Jesus Christ, so they too can be part of God’s plan.

This verse isn’t so much about promises of a pay raise, a promotion, a future spouse, a house, better health, etc. Many have incorrectly applied this verse in this manner. They put themselves at the center; thinking that God’s plan is for their worldly prosperity. If that were the case, God’s promise of this plan would have been broken a billion times over. I mean, look at John the Baptist, he was beheaded. The apostle Peter was crucified upside down. Stephen was stoned to death. The apostle Paul was likely beheaded. The list goes on and on. Some plan, huh!?

See, God’s plan for believers ultimately is about His promise to restore us back to Him through Jesus Christ, so we can spend eternity with Him in heaven. To restore what was broken in the Garden of Eden when Adam & Eve ushered in sin into a then perfect world. Restoration has always been the plan. Why? Because He loves us! It has never changed, and never will, as long as humanity remains. That we may prosper in love as servants to the King of kings in heaven! That’s the hope and future we look forward to. Thank you, Jesus!

So, are you part of God’s plan? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior so you can be restored to God?

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”—Proverbs 19:21

In Mark 1, Jesus calls his first disciples. He called Simon & Andrew while they were in the middle of doing their job as fishermen. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and immediately they stopped what they were doing and followed Jesus. Later on, same thing with James & John. They too got up immediately and followed Jesus. In fact, they even left their father and hired servants in the boat.

Jesus is calling everyone to follow Him—He’s knocking on everyone’s door. If you’re truly a saved Christian, you probably remember that moment when you finally answered that door and truly let Jesus into your life. Just like the disciples did. But do you follow Him like the disciples did?
If you’re a saved Christian, you know those experiences when the Lord is tugging at your heart to follow Him. Not just in your heart, but in love. John 14:15 reminds us of what Jesus said…

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

What commandments are those? Per Mark 12:30-31 when Jesus speaks—to love God first, and second your neighbors.
If you love God first, you are able to draw from His strength to love your neighbors. And love is more than a feeling. It’s an action verb! To love God means to love others in action. What action is that? To share your first love of Jesus with everyone, so those who may not know Jesus may have a chance at the same love that you have—a chance at eternal life with Him. In essence, we love God by loving others via the Great Commission! This is what it means to truly follow Christ! To drop everything and love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength by sharing the love of Christ with others. This is what the disciples did when they accepted and followed Jesus! How about you? If you’re a Christian and claim to follow Christ and love Him & others, are you doing the Great Commission?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”—Matthew 28:19

Ever wonder why God allows bad things to happen to good people? And why good things to happen to bad people? First, let’s get one thing straight. If we’re including God in this equation, then there are no “good” people (Luke 18:19). That means we’re all “bad” people. What makes us bad? Our sin. And we all sin (Romans 3:23). This makes all of us undeserving of anything good from God.

So why does God allow bad things to happen to bad people?  This is easy. In a world where God gives us free will, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). And since our nature is sinful, even our well-intentioned acts are still riddled with self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).

So why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? This should also be easy, however, still misunderstood—GRACE!

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”

—Romans 3:23-24

So the question should really be—Have you received God’s goodness, His Grace yet in Jesus Christ? You’re undeserving of it because of your sin. But this only magnifies God’s love for us, His Grace! (Romans 5:20). Receive Him today! Just pray to Him, confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you. He will. And accept Him as Lord & Savior (Romans 10:9). It’s actually that easy! 

However, as long as you’re on this earth, you’ll still be bad, you’re still a sinner (1 John 1:10). But on that day of judgement, Jesus’ good & righteousness will redeem you! (Romans 8:1).

It’s a crazy world out there nowadays with the bad people getting badder. When it’s all over we’ll all be in one of two eternities: a good one or a bad one. Where are you headed?

There are no good people in heaven. Only saved people!

It’s natural that we remember our most memorable encounters with the most important people in our lives, albeit our spouse, our best friend, a mentor, etc. We may not recall the exact date. But we recall a time frame, the circumstances that led to that encounter, what you were doing, where you were, and perhaps some other details that would ordinarily slip our mind with less important people in our life, but are easier recalled because of the significance of that relationship.

If you call yourself a Christian, I rhetorically ask, what encounter do you recall with Jesus? Most Christians recall that initial one, when they first accepted Jesus Christ as Savior—forging that most important relationship in their life, with God Himself. Yet, others who call themself a Christian do not recall any encounter with Jesus deferring to the catch all, “Jesus is always with me.” Yet, they’ll recall the details of their first encounter with their significant other. See where I’m going with this?

If you’re a true Christian, Jesus is the most significant relationship in your life! Our initial encounter with Jesus may not be as dramatic as the apostle Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. But it should be just as memorable! If you don’t recall that initial encounter or any encounter with Jesus, yet you identify as a Christian, please check your heart and seriously ask yourself if you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m not judging, but am only concerned about those who think they have eternal life with Jesus Christ, but truly do not. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that the gate to destruction is wide and many will go through it (to hell); and narrow is the gate that leads to life (heaven) and few are those who find it. Many who are going through the wide gate aren’t just those who explicitly deny Jesus. There are sadly too many who “know about” Jesus, but do not “know” Him in a true saving relationship. And they are in for a big surprise when they enter through that wide gate. 
If you think this might be you, know He’s knocking on your door, man! Now is the time to put aside your pride and truly let Him into your life, forge a saving relationship with Him, and let everyone know about your encounter with Jesus! Otherwise, when your time expires here in this world, so will His knocking! And you’ll be entering through that wide gate!

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”—Revelation 3:20