This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, reminding you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

Michael Bloomberg is a very accomplished man. He is the former mayor of one of the most important cities in the world, New York City, having served in that position for twelve years. He is extremely wealthy and is worth $33 billion. He is also the founder of Bloomberg L.P., the global financial and media company which operates Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg News, and a radio network.

Mr. Bloomberg has also done a lot of good things for people and for the world. Through his organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation, he has given hundreds of millions of dollars to health institutions, to fight tobacco use, to support families living with cancer, and to support educational institutions. He has won numerous awards and honors for his achievements.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Michael Bloomberg reflected on the fact that, due to his age, he may not have as much time as he would like to see his latest initiative — investing $50 million to stop gun violence — come to fruition. He said, “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”

Despite his confident, perhaps even arrogant words, Mr. Bloomberg apparently knows very little about what it takes to get into Heaven.

You see, Mr. Bloomberg is depending on his good works to buy himself a ticket into Heaven. However, good works cannot save anyone or get them into Heaven. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The Bible also says it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”

Works cannot save us and get us into Heaven, and wealth cannot get us into Heaven either. Just as money cannot buy happiness, money cannot buy your way into Heaven. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 19:23-24, “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven….It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” In the book of Acts, Paul told a man, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

Our accomplishments, education, or status in life cannot get us into Heaven. You can achieve much, know much, and be a successful individual, and still not even come close to entering the pearly gates.

The bottom line is: there is nothing we can do in our own strength that can save us. Michael Bloomberg’s good works, wealth, and accomplishments will not get him into Heaven. Even if you do more good deeds, have more money, and accomplish more than Mr. Bloomberg, you can still die and go to Hell.

So, how does one get into Heaven?

Let’s look at Ephesians 2:8-9 again. It says, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

First, it says, “for by grace…” Grace is undeserved favor. This means that acceptance into Heaven is not something given to us based on our works or because we deserve it. It is given to us inspite of the fact that we do not deserve it.

Second, it says, “are ye saved…” What does this grace save us from? It saves us from our sins and from the punishment of sin which is Hell and eternal separation from God.

Third, it says, “by faith…” Faith is the means by which we accept the grace that saves us. This grace is a gift from God provided through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The only way you can get into Heaven is if you accept Jesus Christ by faith as your Savior. You must believe, by faith, in the sacrifice that He made on the cross. When you reach the pearly gates, your works (no matter how good), your wealth (no matter how much), and your accomplishments (no matter how great), will not get you in. But Jesus’ work on the cross — the soul-saving sacrifice that He became there — will ensure that you can enjoy the riches and wealth of Heaven for eternity.

Today, you can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior so that you can be delivered from your sins and the punishment of sin and so that you can have eternal life in Heaven with God. The Bible says in Romans 10:9 & 13, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you want to trust Jesus Christ for salvation today, you can pray a short prayer to let God know about your decision. Just repeat after me and mean it from your heart.

Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and I want to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God. Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your new found faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!