Moorhead Baptist Church
Have you ever wondered what the Bible has to say about what a person has to do to get to Heaven? Some might say, "Well, I will just wait and see what happens." The Bible teaches that when we die, it will be too late. 2 Corinthians explains that for the believer to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. On the other hand, Luke 16 gives the story of a man who died and immediately lifted up his eyes in Hell. The Bible is clear that I must make my peace with God while I am alive on this earth, for there will be no later opportunities.
People have many ideas about what it takes to go to Heaven. Some believe that we can earn our way to Heaven by being a good enough person. Others think that being part of a certain church affords us eternal life. But the real question is what does the Bible actually teach on this subject?
The most famous verse in the Bible clearly states the difference between those who will have eternal life with God and those who will face eternal punishment in Hell.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Notice that it says that “whosoever believeth” in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life. In contrast, it does not say that we can live a good enough life to earn our way to Heaven, nor does it say we can join a certain church to have eternal life. The distinction is clear that those who believe on the Lord Jesus have eternal life and that those who do not face eternal punishment for their sins.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Naturally, the next question is, “What does it mean to 'believe on Jesus'?”
The New Testament explains that “believing on Jesus” is accepting who He is, what He has done for us, and that a conscious decision needs to be made to trust in what He has done in order to have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
In order for this to happen, there are some things I must understand.
#1 I am a sinner and not worthy of eternal life.
Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The Bible teaches clearly that the reason it was necessary for Jesus to come to earth and die on the cross was that there was no other just way for our sins to be cleansed in order for us to have eternal life. Because each of us continually falls short of what we ought to be, we cannot earn eternal life for ourselves and needed Jesus, God in the flesh, to suffer our punishment for us in order to provide a path of reconciliation with a holy and righteous God.
This is not about the particular sins we commit but rather about the fact that we commit any sin at all!
James 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
It does not matter the particulars laws of God I have broken, because I am a lawbreaker. I am not worthy of eternal life without the penalty being paid for my sins.
Do you accept that you have broken God’s law and are justly guilty and condemned before Him?
#2 I deserve Hell because of my sinfulness.
Revelation 21:8
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.
Notice again that it is not the perceived severity of my sin that condemns me (murderers and liars are both worthy of eternal punishment), but rather the fact that I have broken the laws of God and have no means, without Christ, to atone for my wrongdoing. Because I could never fully atone for my sin myself, the punishment I justly deserve for my sinfulness is both severe and eternal.
Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
Although I justly deserve eternal punishment in Hell for my sinfulness, God does not want any human being to suffer that end.
2Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
#3 Jesus paid my sin penalty for me.
Because God loves us so much, He made a way for our sins to be forgiven to satisfy His justice while also allowing His mercy to be extended. Jesus Himself came to earth, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and then offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins. Because He was God in the flesh, His death could atone for the sins of all mankind.
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Of course, Jesus died a torturous death by crucifixion that we might have a glimpse of the incredible price Jesus paid on our behalf that day.
1Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Because Jesus is God, death and Hell could not keep Him. He rose from the grave on the third day proving He alone has power over death!
1Corinthians 15:3&4
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Once I understand that I have sinned against God, deserve eternal punishment in Hell, and Jesus paid the penalty for my sins on Calvary and rose again on the third day, then I simply need to accept His payment personally for myself.
#4 Jesus will save those who ask Him.
Although Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, the Bible teaches that God will not force me to accept this payment. Instead, God offers this payment to whosoever willingly and willfully receives it.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
In order to receive this wonderful gift purchased for me by Christ, I must simply understand Who He is, what He has done, and then ask Him to save me from the eternal consequences of my sinfulness.
Romans 10:9&10
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.
If you would like to accept Jesus as your personal Savior right now, simply pray a prayer something like this, believing on Him with all your heart.
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I justly deserve eternity in Hell. However, I realize that you died on Calvary to pay the price for my sins and then rose again from the dead. Please forgive my sins. I am accepting your payment on my behalf and trusting you alone for forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.
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