We all should be seeking to please God. We all have ways of doing things. Being human beings created in the image of God and given the ability to make choices, sometimes we disagree on some things. God gives us this license when it comes to earthly things. Some drive Fords, others drive Chevrolets; the choice is up to the individual.  
However, when it comes to things of a spiritual nature, God has made it clear how he desires things to be done. Even though God has set the standard in spiritual things, God lets us choose whether or not we are going to follow his word or human reasoning. God’s desire is that man would seek him and follow his word (Matthew 11:28–30), but he will not make us follow him.
The thing we must remember is that God’s way is perfect. The Psalmist wrote, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). A buckler was a small, rounded shield. God is a shield to all who wholly place their trust in him. The promises God makes always come true (2 Peter 3:9). One of the greatest promises God has ever made was to his servant Abraham, when he promised that in him, all “nations of the world would be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). This promise was fulfilled in Christ, and it is through following Christ that man can have salvation.     
In his word, he tells us how to be saved. The Holy Scriptures tell of the importance of faith. “But without faith, it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Some would stop here, but God’s word says there is more to be done. God commands that we repent of our sins. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Why is it so hard to believe God? We are to have faith in Jesus as the son of God, repent of our sins and confess the name of Christ as the Son of God.
“…And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (Acts 8:38).
The next thing we see through God’s word is that we are to be baptized for the remission of our sins. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, …” (Acts 2:38). If this passage is not plain enough, Peter makes it even plainer: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Then one must live a faithful life according to God’s word.
All men need to be seeking heaven, and it only can be found by studying and obeying God’s word.
Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series.