How a Catholic Can be Sure of Heaven - Booklet
INFO:
This booklet contains a transcript of a filmed conversation between Ray Comfort and a very likable and sincere young man named Kobe.
Specifications:
- Size: 105 x 105 mm
- 25 pages of content
INSIDE:
The following is a transcript of a filmed conversation between Ray Comfort and a very likable and sincere young man named Kobe.
RAY: Kobe, you think there’s an afterlife?
KOBE: Yes, in fact, I do think there is an afterlife.
RAY: Why?
KOBE: Because, well, I’m a Catholic, so I’m kind of required to believe it. I think it’s better than thinking there’s nothing. And I like to think there is proof of it.
RAY: Have you been born again?
KOBE: Have I been born again? That’s an interesting question. I don’t think so.
RAY: In John chapter 3 Jesus said unless you’re born again you’re not going to enter Heaven. He’s not talking about being sprinkled as a baby or being christened; He’s talking about repenting and putting your faith in Christ for your eternal salvation. Where the Holy Spirit enters you and you become a brand-new person in Christ, you pass from death to life, God opens the eyes of your understanding and gives you everlasting life as a free gift. The first time you were born it was radical; when you’re born again it’s just as radical so you would know. So, it’s essential that we talk about being born again, because I want to see you in heaven, man. I don’t want death to seize on you and God to give you justice. Do you believe the Bible?
KOBE: I do believe in the Bible, yes.
RAY: Do you believe in demons?
KOBE: Yes, I do.
RAY: And Satan?
KOBE: Yes, I do.
RAY: Do you know what Satan does according to the Bible?
KOBE: No.
RAY: Well, he’s called the tempter, and he tempts us to do that which is evil. Lying, stealing, blasphemy, fornication, adultery, rebellion against God. Temptation isn’t sin, but if we yield to that temptation then we become culpable. Satan also blinds us to the truth of the gospel. This is what it says in the book of Corinthians: “In whom the god of this world, Satan, has blinded the minds of those that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine onto them” [2 Corinthians 4:4]. Do you know what the gospel is?
KOBE: It’s like words of the Lord, right?
RAY: No.
KOBE: No? All right. Then explain it to me, please.
RAY: The word “gospel” means good news. And it’s the understatement of eternity. The good news is that Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. The claims of the Bible are fantastic in the truest sense of the word. Like fantasy, they just don’t make sense. Jesus Christ has abolished death? And brought light and immortality to light through the gospel? There are still people dying everywhere! Jesus said, “I am He that was dead. Behold I am alive forevermore and hold the keys to death and Hell” [Revelation 1:18]. And so, how could someone find everlasting life through the gospel and yet still be subject to death? I’m going to share that with you.
KOBE: All right.
RAY: Let’s say I’m a doctor and you’re a patient. You think you’re very well. But I’ve seen x-rays and I know you’re dying, and you’ve got two weeks. I’ve got a cure, but I’m not going to give you the cure straightaway. I want you to see the x-rays, because you’re not going to appreciate and appropriate the cure if you don’t believe you’re diseased. Can you see that?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: Now, you think you are morally well. I’m going to show you the x-rays —the Ten Commandments. Can you handle that?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: Can you be honest?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: Let’s go to the tenth commandment. Have you ever desired something that belonged to somebody else?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: The first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Do you put God first in your life? Do you love Him with your heart, mind, soul, and strength?
KOBE: Not as much as I should, but I like to think that I do.
RAY: So, you do love God.
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: Have you ever used His name in vain?
KOBE: On accident, yes.
RAY: How could it be on accident?
KOBE: It’s just, you’re surrounded by it everywhere, so then it just slips out occasionally.
RAY: So, would you ever use your mother’s name as a cuss word, if everybody was doing it?
KOBE: No.
RAY: You just wouldn’t do that! So, Kobe, you don’t love God if you’ve used His name as a cuss word. Instead of saying the “S” word you’ve used God’s name in its place? That’s called blasphemy, punishable by death in the Old Testament. Have you ever lied and stolen?
KOBE: Not stolen, but lied.
RAY: Never taken anything that belongs to somebody else, irrespective of its value?
KOBE: It’s possible…I just don’t remember it.
RAY: And finally—we’re looking at the x-rays and they’re not good, not pleas- ant to look at because they’re showing you you’re diseased morally—Jesus said, if you look at a woman and lust for her, you commit adultery with her in your heart. Have you ever looked at a woman with lust?
KOBE: Yes. More than likely.
RAY: When did you last look at pornography?
KOBE: A year ago or so.
RAY: Yes, that’s lust.
KOBE: Okay.
RAY: So here’s the summation. Kobe, I’m not judging you; this is the x-rays to show you need this cure. You’ve told me you’re a liar, a blasphemer, an adulterer at heart, and we don’t know if you’re a thief because you can’t remember. If God judges you by the Ten Commandments on Judgment Day, are you going to be innocent or guilty?
KOBE: Guilty.
RAY: Heaven or Hell?
KOBE: More than likely Hell.
RAY: Now, does that concern you?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: It horrifies me, Kobe. I’ve just met you, but I love you. And the thought of you going to Hell takes my breath away. So that brings us to the cure. You’ve now seen the x-rays and you’re going, “What should I do?” That brings us to the gospel—that good news of everlasting life. What did God do for guilty sinners so we wouldn’t have to go to Hell?
KOBE: Forgives them?
RAY: No. He did something.
KOBE: He sacrificed His Son.
RAY: Yes, on the cross. Most people know that. The Ten Commandments are called the moral law. You and I broke the law. Jesus paid the fine in full. That’s what happened on the cross. If you’re in court and someone pays your speeding fines, the judge can legally let you walk. He can say, “Oh, these fines are paid by another. You’re guilty, but you can go.” And God can take the death sentence off us in an instant—not because we’re good, but because He’s good and kind and He provided a Saviour. He can let us go because Jesus paid the fine in full. That’s why Jesus said, “It is finished” just before He died. He was saying “paid in full.” And then He rose from the dead, defeating death.
It was not possible for death to hold Him. And if you will sim- ply repent, and trust alone in Jesus— not in your goodness, but trust in Jesus—you’ve got a promise from the God who cannot lie, that He will remit your sins in an instant and give you everlasting life as a free gift.
This is what the Bible says: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” [Romans 6:23]. That’s why the Bible says that Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. When you’re born again, He’ll give you His Holy Spirit, and that Spirit is life itself. And when there’s life, there’s no death. It’s like when you turn a light on: the dark- ness leaves. When God puts His Holy Spirit within you and you’re born again—born of the Spirit—the presence of life banishes death. So, when I die, I go straight into the presence of God. I’ve got everlasting life as a free gift—don’t have to earn it, don’t de- serve it. It comes by God’s amazing grace. Is this making sense?
KOBE: Yes.
RAY: Are you going to think about what we talked about?
KOBE: Most definitely.
RAY: When are you going to repent and put your faith in Christ?
KOBE: As soon as I can.
RAY: Can we do it now?
KOBE: Yes!
RAY: May I pray with you?
KOBE: Of course.
RAY: It’s a matter of your will, Kobe. If you just say, “Oh God, please forgive me. I’m a sinner. I’ve done things I know are wrong. Wash me clean. Create in me a clean heart. I trust Jesus as my Saviour.” Just say that within your heart and I’ll pray with you.
Father, I pray for Kobe. Thank you for his open and honest heart. I pray that he, this day, will be born of Your Spirit. That he’ll pass from death to life because he’s calling upon the name of the Lord, and You have said that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You’ve said You are able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Jesus. May Your hand be upon him today. Please make him a new creature in Christ with a love of righteousness, born again, pass- ing from death to life, all because of Your kindness. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
KOBE: Amen.
RAY: Do you have a Bible at home?
KOBE: I do, yes.
RAY: You’ve made my day, Kobe. It’s been great to talk to you.
KOBE: It’s been great to talk to you too. You’ve made mine too.
