If someone were to ask you the question, "If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?", What would your answer be? Some people might say, "Well, I think so" or "I hope so". Other people may respond with a question of their own, "Can a person really know for sure?".
The Bible has the answer. In First John 5:13 we read, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life". In other words, the answer is "Yes!" a person can know for sure when he or she dies that they will spend eternity in heaven!
Many people today think that they will go to heaven based on being a "good person". Still others believe that only those who have somehow "earned" their way into heaven will be there. People think that by "doing what's right" or "going to church" or "giving to charities" are the types of things that God uses to "measure" who gets in and who doesn't. But what does God's Word say?
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
In other words, we are all sinners, who fall short of God's standard, which is perfection. The Bible also tells us that there are consequenses for our sin.
"For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
Death in this case not only means physical death but also spiritual death. Eternally separated from God. If the above verse from Romans chapter 6 ended there, then we would all be lost without any hope whatsoever. But it doesn't end there. Let's look at what the rest of the verse says:
"but the gift of God is eternal life." (Romans 6:23b)
You see, by sending His Son Jesus into this world, God demonstated His love for us.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Two words to take a close look at in this verse are, "gave" and "whosoever". "He gave His only begotten Son". Jesus coming to this earth was God's "gift" to us. When Jesus died on the cross, He met the righteous demand of God mentioned above: "The wages of sin is death".
And "whosoever" puts their faith and trust in what Jesus did on the cross will have "everlasting life".
"But God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
The Bible is very clear. No one deserves heaven, and none of us can "earn" the right to go. Eternal life is only possible through God's grace, for those who will accept through faith the gift of Jesus Christ.
But how does a person accept this gift? Again, we find the answer in the Bible.
"That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and will believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Would you like to receive the free gift of eternal life right now? All you have to do is pray and ask God to forgive you of your sins, and to come into your life as Lord and Savior.
"Jesus said, I tell you the truth, he that believes in me, has eternal life." (John 6:47)
If you have prayed to receive Christ as your personal Savior, please contact us and let us know of your decision. We would be happy to send you some additional information that will help you to grow in your new Christian life.
Grace Brethren Church
P. O. Box 215
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
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