How can I know for sure I am going to Heaven?
God’s Word is true. We understand from Romans 3:23 that none of us are capable of going to Heaven, because we have missed God’s expectation and requirement for holiness. “But, I am good – I have never killed anyone!” Isaiah 64:6 proclaims that no matter how hard we try, no matter all the good we do – we are still like filthy rags in God’s eyes.
"So, what’s the point?” “Why try?”
God wants us to clearly understand that there is absolutely no way we can be holy in His sight on our own. Missing His standard once; whether lying, lusting, envying or putting ANYTHING as priority before God ONE TIME is enough to miss His standard for eternity.
God knew we would be incapable of living a perfect and holy life, and as a result, not spending an eternity in Heaven with Him. Here, we are introduced to undeserved favor (a free gift) – which is God’s grace. God loved us so much (John 3:16), He made a way through Jesus Christ, His Son (Matthew 26:63-64) who lived a perfect life without sin (Hebrews 4:15). If we choose to accept God’s free gift, we are declared righteous through Jesus (Romans 3:24) and receive something only Jesus could afford – eternal life (Romans 6:23).
“But aren’t there other ways to Heaven?”
God provided THE WAY through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Since you and I are not perfect, there is no other way.
“How do I ‘receive’ this free gift?”
God has done ALL the work, He will even give you the faith required to receive it (Ephesians 2:8)! If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord (allowing Him to be the boss in your life) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (1 Peter 1:3), you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
“What if I choose NOT to receive this free gift, isn’t He a God of love that will let me into Heaven anyway?”
Being a God of love does not change His status from being holy. God gives us a choice: turn to Him or turn away from Him. If we do not turn TO Him, we DID turn away. That leaves us with the payment for missing His mark – eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46).
“Can’t I have fun now and wait until I am on my death bed?”
Jesus said he came that we may have an abundant life in Him (John 10:10)! You have not lived until you have experienced all that Christ will do in your life! The philosophy of waiting is flawed because we do not know when we will die. Have you heard of an untimely death? We depend on God for our next heartbeat, our next breath – we are incapable of sustaining life on our own. Before an accident launches you into eternity, is there any reason you would not want to accept this free gift from God?
“OK I did it, now what?”
Now, you tell someone of your decision (Matthew 10:32). Your family is a great place to begin and then find a Bible teaching church that will encourage, teach and accept you as a child of God. The next step is biblical baptism and joining a group of believers.
“Whoa, what is biblical baptism?”
This is an outward picture of what happened inside. We are called a new creation after receiving God’s free gift (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means we are no longer our “old self” – that one is gone and the new has come! When we are baptized in water, it is “as if” we have died, been buried and raised as a new creation. In fact, Jesus modeled it for us – so it is our first step in obedience to our Lord (Matthew 3:16-17).
We would love to celebrate with you! Please let us know of your decision on the "Contact Us” page. If you need more information or have other questions, you may contact us the same way.