This question is the most important one anyone could ask. Many people think Jesus was a great teacher, or a good man. Some even think he was a legend made up by people who wanted to tell a good story. The truth is Jesus is God and he left heaven to come to earth to save us from being separated from him. He loves us, and wants us to be with him in heaven forever after we die. So in short, Jesus is God and Savior. Most people believe there's a God and heaven, but many have misconceptions about heaven and how to get there. Please read more to know the truth about Jesus, heaven and how we can live with him there.
Misconceptions about Heaven
Most people have two big misconceptions about how you get to heaven. The first misconception is that heaven is a place where “good” people go. Many believe when they come to the end of their life if the good things they’ve done outweigh the bad they’ve done they will go to heaven. Or, they reason since they are as good as the next person, maybe even a little better, they have an excellent chance of getting to heaven.
The second misconception is that all religions are essentially the same. They differ in specifics, but all lead to God. So, many reason it doesn’t really matter what you believe or which religion you follow because your sincere belief will get you to heaven. Both misconceptions are wrong!!! Let’s look at what God says to find the truth about getting to heaven.
The second misconception is that all religions are essentially the same. They differ in specifics, but all lead to God. So, many reason it doesn’t really matter what you believe or which religion you follow because your sincere belief will get you to heaven. Both misconceptions are wrong!!! Let’s look at what God says to find the truth about getting to heaven.
Bad News
Heaven isn’t a place for “good” people, it’s a place for perfect people. It is a perfect place because God is perfect and only perfect people can be there. Revelation 21:27 says “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful…”
It’s pretty obvious no one is perfect. God agrees and tells us we are all sinners. Romans 3:10 says “There is no one righteous, not even one.” and Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In fact, God says if we disobey God in just ONE way then, we are guilty of breaking all of God’s commands. James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all.”
So being a good person IS NOT going to get anyone to heaven. God doesn’t compare the goodness of people and let the best 20% or 50% into heaven. He declares every single human a sinner and unfit for heaven.
The news gets worse. The penalty for our sin is declared by God to be eternal death. In other words, when we die, we all deserve to be separated from God and remain forever in hell. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death.”
And worse again. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. NO amount of doing good works is going to make you good enough to go to heaven. Check out these verses. Titus 3:5 “He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Romans 4:5 “However, to the man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
It’s pretty obvious no one is perfect. God agrees and tells us we are all sinners. Romans 3:10 says “There is no one righteous, not even one.” and Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In fact, God says if we disobey God in just ONE way then, we are guilty of breaking all of God’s commands. James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all.”
So being a good person IS NOT going to get anyone to heaven. God doesn’t compare the goodness of people and let the best 20% or 50% into heaven. He declares every single human a sinner and unfit for heaven.
The news gets worse. The penalty for our sin is declared by God to be eternal death. In other words, when we die, we all deserve to be separated from God and remain forever in hell. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death.”
And worse again. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. NO amount of doing good works is going to make you good enough to go to heaven. Check out these verses. Titus 3:5 “He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Romans 4:5 “However, to the man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Good News
The picture is pretty bleak!!! We all deserve eternal death in hell and there is nothing we can do about it. BUT there is something God did about it. He loves us so much that he provided a way that we sinners could be declared and made perfect. Sinners made perfect CAN spend eternity with God in heaven. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God created us to have a relationship with him. He doesn’t want anyone to spend forever in hell. So he provided a way we could be declared perfect. The good news is that Jesus Christ IS perfect and he lived a perfect live and then died in our place to pay the penalty of our sin.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners. Christ died for us.” And, 1 Peters 3:18 states, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Jesus didn’t stay dead, he rose from the grave and is alive today offering eternal life with him in heaven and salvation from an eternal death in hell.
Furthermore, God has declared that Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin is the only payment for the sin that separates us from God. And Jesus is the only one in whom we believe. In John 14:6, Jesus clearly states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” No human effort, or belief in any other religion or trust in any other person will get you to heaven. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.
God created us to have a relationship with him. He doesn’t want anyone to spend forever in hell. So he provided a way we could be declared perfect. The good news is that Jesus Christ IS perfect and he lived a perfect live and then died in our place to pay the penalty of our sin.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners. Christ died for us.” And, 1 Peters 3:18 states, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Jesus didn’t stay dead, he rose from the grave and is alive today offering eternal life with him in heaven and salvation from an eternal death in hell.
Furthermore, God has declared that Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin is the only payment for the sin that separates us from God. And Jesus is the only one in whom we believe. In John 14:6, Jesus clearly states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” No human effort, or belief in any other religion or trust in any other person will get you to heaven. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.
What Do I Do with the Good News?
There is nothing you can do to get to heaven, but you still must receive the gift of eternal life which God so generously gives. You receive God’s gift of eternal life in heaven by:
Repenting
Acts 20:21 “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Admit to God that you are a sinner and deserve his declared punishment for your sin.
Believing
Romans 10:9 “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.”
Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Believe the facts about Jesus Christ that he is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and is alive today because he rose from the dead.
Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Believe the facts about Jesus Christ that he is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and is alive today because he rose from the dead.
Trusting
Ephesians 2:8,9 “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Faith is another word for trust. You trust in Christ when you place your hope of eternal life and salvation in him and him alone.
Model Prayer
Praying an exact set of words doesn’t save you or gain you entrance into heaven. You are saved by the faith you place in Jesus Christ. However, below is a model prayer to help you say to God what you believe if your are ready to believe in Jesus Christ and receive his gift of eternal life.
Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and deserve hell, not eternal life. But, I believe you died for my sins on the cross in my place paying the penalty for them and rose from the grave to save me from hell and give me eternal life. I accept your gift of eternal life by trusting in you with my life now and for eternity. Amen
Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and deserve hell, not eternal life. But, I believe you died for my sins on the cross in my place paying the penalty for them and rose from the grave to save me from hell and give me eternal life. I accept your gift of eternal life by trusting in you with my life now and for eternity. Amen
How Can I Know for Sure I'm Saved?
In 1 John 5:10-13, the Bible assures us that if we believe in Jesus Christ we have eternal life.
In Romans 8:31-39 we learn nothing can separate us from God’s love.
In Ephesians 4:30 we are told the Holy Spirit is our seal to assure our place in heaven.
In John 10:28 Jesus says “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
In Romans 8:31-39 we learn nothing can separate us from God’s love.
In Ephesians 4:30 we are told the Holy Spirit is our seal to assure our place in heaven.
In John 10:28 Jesus says “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
More Questions?
If you have said a prayer similar to the one of above after reading these truths. Or if you have any more questions about baptism, salvation, Jesus Christ, or anything about Christianity please contact one of the PASTORS.