Most people we talk to say they believe in God, heaven and hell. And many are trying to find out how they can be assured of somehow going to heaven when they die. They know they need to do something, but what?
Some put their faith in a pastor or a church or a denomination. Some think works is the answer and that somehow God weighs the good against the bad and then decides where you will spend eternity.
The Bible answer to all of this is that:
A church can't save you (make you right with God).
A priest or pastor can't save you.
A denomination or religion can't save you.
Good works won't save you.
And you can't save yourself.
God provided for our salvation by giving His very own Son, Jesus, as the only perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus shed His blood, gave His life, and took our sins upon Himself as He hung on the cross at Calvary. The old song says it all:
"He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay."
But it didn't stop at the cross. To prove that He was, in fact, the Son of God, God raised Him from the dead! We don't serve a dead God. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is alive and offers the free gift of eternal life to everyone who believes in Him and what He has done.
God loves His creation (mankind) and He loves you and wants the best for you, here and now, and in eternity. And don't ever think you've done something so bad that God could never forgive you.
Here is what the Bible says about it:
"For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
"The wages of sin is death (eternal life in hell), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"Whoever (you) calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Hell was prepared for the devil and his demons, not for you. Say "no" to the devil and "yes" to Jesus. The choice is yours. Do it now!
If you want assurance that you will go to heaven when you die, pray this prayer:
God, I come into Your presence. I confess I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Free me and cleanse me from all of my sins by the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may be equipped to serve You and You alone to the best of my ability. Jesus, I now confess You are my Lord and Savior, and believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. And since You are alive, I know You have heard my prayer. Thank You, God, that my spirit is now saved, born again and right with You, and that heaven is my future home. In Jesus' name, Amen.