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Here’s the most important question you will ever be asked in your entire lifetime, so please answer honestly: “If you died today, are you 100% sure that you would go to heaven?” Are you 100% sure? If you are not, then you need to be. There are only four things you need to know and understand to be assured that you will go to heaven when you die: 

#1 Every man is a sinner. The Bible says in Romans 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” The Bible also says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Did you notice that the Scriptures say, “All have sinned?” I’m in that “all” and so are you.

Let me ask you, “Have you ever made any moral mistakes, told any lies, been cruel to anybody, ever cheated, ever lost your temper, ever said something you were sorry for later, ever been insensitive or self-centered?” Sure, we all have, and the Bible calls this “sin.” Sin is a willful rebellion against what God commands, living our lives as if God did not matter, or deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong. Do you agree that you have sinned? Now let’s notice the second thing you must know and understand to go to heaven: 

#2 God will punish every man’s sin.

The Bible further says in Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death . . . ” and in Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” The Scriptures say that sin pays wages. Wages are rewards that we receive for working. God said that the payment for our sin is death. 

Every man is a sinner and his sin has separated him from a holy God. God calls on each man to repent of his sin (Acts 17:30).

The Greek word metanoeo is translated into English as “repent” and means, “a change of thinking that leads to a change of action.” It means that I’m sorry enough about my sins to quit sinning. If one of your children broke a rule then said, “I’m sorry,” you would believe him. But let’s say he broke the rule twenty times today and each time he returned and said, “I’m sorry.” Would you begin to doubt his sincerity? What would convince you that he really was sorry? 

Quitting his wrong behavior, right? Only that would convince you he really was sorry. 

That’s what repentance is. I am sorry enough about my sins to quit committing them. Let’s review for a moment. You said you were a sinner, right? What are the wages of sin? Spiritual death. If the Bible is true, then all men are in deep trouble! The second thing you must understand to go to heaven is that every person will be punished for his or her sin. Do you believe God will punish your sin? 

#3 Jesus paid the price for your sins when He died on the cross. The Bible further says in Romans 6:23b, ” . . . but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” and in Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Now here’s the good news! The Bible says,” The gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God wants to give you His forgiveness as a gift. You cannot work for a gift. If you work for it, then it would be wages. Don’t ever confuse a gift with something you work for. God is offering salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). 

We earn hell. Heaven is a gift. Eternal life is what God wants to give you through Jesus. Do you believe that Christ died on the cross for you? The third thing that you must understand to go to heaven is that Jesus paid the price for your personal sin when He died on the cross. 

#4 If you ask Jesus for forgiveness, you will be saved. 

The Bible says in Romans 10:9-13: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “

We receive God’s free gift of eternal life by simply asking God for it. “Whosoever” means you. 

If you pray to the Lord, confess your sins and ask forgiveness, you will be forgiven! Do you believe that if you prayed right now and asked Christ to forgive you that He would? 

Salvation is not something you do but someone you receive (John 17:3).

“How do I receive Jesus into my life?” In humility and earnestness pray something like this: 

“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and trust you alone to save me. Help me to live for you from this moment on. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” 

These words are not a magic formula that will save you like a magician would say, “Hocus Pocus” or “Presto Change-o” and a trick is performed. If you prayed with sincerity, then I assure you God has saved you, forgiven all your sins, and has given you eternal life (John 6:37). 

Jesus promised: John 1:12: “Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those that believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

If you have prayed to receive Christ as your personal Savior, you are now a Christian and, therefore, a disciple. Intentional discipleship, or mentorship, is crucial to your spiritual growth. Find that mature Christian to go with you on your faith journey . . . 

AND tell your life-changing story. You won’t be able to keep it to yourself!