Correct Address

Bible Reading: Acts 4:1, 7-12; Revelation 21:1-3

“Dad,” called Laila from the computer desk, “can you help me with this email? I sent it twice, but I don’t think it went anywhere.”

Dad put down his book and walked over to Laila. “Are you sure you typed the address right?” he asked.

Laila nodded. “Yes, I’m positive. I’m emailing the last part of my project to the address my teacher gave me—it’s on this assignment sheet.” She showed Dad the handout.

Dad pulled up a chair and sat beside Laila. He looked at the paper and then at the computer screen. “I see the problem. You typed a zero instead of the letter O in Mrs. Taylor’s name.”

Laila checked the paper and then typed the address again—this time with an O. She clicked the Send button, and a moment later the screen showed that her message had been sent.

That evening, Laila and Dad shared some popcorn. “Thanks for helping me with the email earlier,” Laila said. “It’s a good thing you caught my mistake or my project never would have gotten to Mrs. Taylor, even though I was sure I had the right address.”

Dad nodded. “You know, the mistake you made with the email address is a little like the mistake people can make regarding salvation. We need to make sure we have the right address to get to heaven.”

“Heaven has an address?” Laila asked.

“Well, not exactly,” said Dad, “but I was thinking of a friend I was talking with this morning. He doesn’t think it makes any difference what people believe—whether they follow the teachings of a particular person or religion or just believe in themselves and the good things they do. He thinks everyone ends up in the same place—heaven. That’s not what the Bible says.”

“You mean, what we believe is sort of like the address we use to reach heaven?” Laila asked.

Dad nodded. “But there’s only one correct address, and that’s Jesus. It’s only through Him that any of us reach heaven, because heaven is being in His presence, free from sin. We can only be saved by believing and trusting in Him.” – Richard S. Maffeo

How About You?

Do you wonder if it really matters what you believe? Do you think a person can follow any religion and make it to heaven? God’s Word says Jesus is the only way to heaven. No sin is allowed in heaven, so He left heaven and came to earth to die for our sin. You can only be free from sin and have eternal life by believing and trusting in Him. (See “Have You Heard the Good News?” on page 108.)

Today’s Key Verse:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
The only way to the Father is through me.” (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is the correct address