The Bible Way to Heaven

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What would happen if you died today, right now? Would you go to heaven or do you have some doubt? Friend, this is life's most important question. It is not a question of how good you are, whether you go to church, or how much money you give to charity. It is a question about where you will spend eternity. God says, in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:3

How do I get to Heaven?

1. Realize that you are a sinner.
This is the point that we all must come to if we truly want Christ’s forgiveness. We have to admit to ourselves and, most importantly to God, that we have sinned.

What is sin?  God says that sin is anything we think, say, or do that breaks one of His laws. Another way the Bible refers to sin is anything that causes us to “miss the mark.”  In this case, the mark is His holiness and perfection.  No one can ever achieve this.

“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
2. Realize that there is a penalty for your sin.
Because you have sinned, you must now face the penalty for your sin. This penalty is referred to in the Bible as the “second death.” The “second death” is eternal separation from God “in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” This is speaking of Hell, and God tells us that everyone who has sinned will spend their eternity there.

“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23a

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
3. Realize that Jesus paid the penalty of sin for you.
God loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear our sin and pay the penalty for us. Jesus was crucified on the cross for you. God says your sin was laid upon Jesus when He became the substitute for the penalty of your sin. There is nothing you can say or do to satisfy this debt you owe to God. Realize that Jesus is the only One who can and has paid your sin debt.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
4. Acknowledge that Jesus wants to give you the gift of eternal life in Heaven.
Everyone can identify with receiving a gift. However, if someone gives you a gift, it is not truly yours until you accept it. The same is true with Jesus’ gift of eternal life. He is offering it to you freely. You don’t have to work for it. You don’t have to be good enough to earn it. All you have to do is accept it.

“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b
5. Believe in Jesus and ask Him to be your Savior.
The Bible tells us that there are two actions required to receive the gift of salvation. First, you must confess. This means you have to tell God that you are a sinner and that Jesus is the only One who can forgive your sin. Second, you must believe in your heart that Jesus shed His blood on the cross, died, was buried, rose again, and that He is the only way to Heaven.

If you confess and believe, God will forgive your sin and save you.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9,10

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Will you accept Jesus' gift of salvation?
As you think on these truths, ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your Savior. You can make that decision by praying a prayer similar to this:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that there is a penalty for my sin. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sin. I confess my sins to you and accept the gift of eternal life. I believe in Jesus’ payment for my sin, and I trust Him as my personal Savior.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.