Opening the Gates of Paradise

"And I will utter my judgments against them, for all their wickedness in forsaking me; they have burned incense to other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands." Jeremiah 1:16

According to the Word of God, how can we measure the compliance of our beliefs? The key is what do you worship? Yes, I know that many say they worship God, but we know that what is spoken and what is acted are usually two different things.

What do you honor most in your quest for a relationship with God. Do you honor what you have done or will do - or do you honor what God does? Will paradise be obtained by the work of your hand or by the hand of God?

Think about the religions of the world - which teach reward for the works of the adherents hand? "Ah, yes." you will say. "But the works of my hands are for the good of humankind. That other religion teaches that death and destruction will open the doors to paradise."

I tell you now - arrogance and self-pride are evident in both the do-gooder and the follower of destruction. The gates of paradise will not open for our hands or our mouths as these are part of our body, and we do not take our bodies into paradise.

Only God can open the gates of paradise to us. So who does God allow into paradise?
"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43 RSV

When God created us - he gave us free will. Our will is the Key to Paradise.