Would you like to know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?

God wants you to be sure
The Bible says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)

Another question to consider is:
Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?" What do you think you would say?

You may not know what you would say. But ... you can know
Because God loves you and has a purpose for your life. The Bible states it this way, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

God's purpose is that we have eternal life
We receive eternal life as a gift. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We can live a full and meaningful life right now. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. He said in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Eternal life gives meaning to life
Yet our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Thus ...

... Our need is to understand our problem
We are all sinners by nature and by choice. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

We cannot save ourselves. Ephesians 2:9 says, "Not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

We deserve death and hell. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is true that: God is holy and just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The good news is that God has provided for the forgiveness of our sins.

God's provision is Jesus Christ
Jesus is God and became man. John 1:1, 14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Jesus died for us on the cross. 1 Peter 3:18 says, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit."

Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Romans 4:25 says, "He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

That is good news. But the only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says in John 1:12, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

The choice is ours. Thus ...

... Our response is to receive Jesus
We must repent of our sin. In Acts 3:19 it says, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out."

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin. Acts 26:20 says, "They should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance."

Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from our sin. It's like making a U-turn.

As we turn, we must place our faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus. In James 2:19 it says, "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!"

Faith is trusting in Jesus. 

Three important questions:
1. Does what you have been reading make sense to you?

2. Is there any reason you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?

3. Are you willing to place your faith in Jesus right now and turn from your sin?

The Bible says in Romans 10:13, "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

You need to ask the Lord Jesus to save you.
Read this prayer and see if it says what you want to say to God.

Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Call on the Lord in repentance and faith, using these similar words of your own; and Jesus will become your Savior and Lord.

Welcome to the family of God. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, you have just made the most important decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life.

As you begin your new journey
It is important to realize that Jesus wants to do more than just reside in your life. He wants to be Lord of your life.

The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Confessing Jesus as Lord is more than just words. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Confessing Jesus as Lord means trusting Him to direct our lives. It's like driving down the highway with another person. As long as you are driving, you are in charge. If you realize you don't know the way, but the other person does, you might say, "you take the wheel and drive." Then the other person is in charge and the two of you take the route he or she chooses.

As evidence of confessing Jesus as Lord, you will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way of identification is to confess Jesus publicly (Matthew 10:32-33) and to follow Him in baptism and church membership (Acts 2:41).

Your Assurance
You know you have eternal life because God keeps His promises:

You repented of your sin. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out."

You placed your faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

God heard your prayer. Romans 10:13 says, "For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

You need to grow as a Christian. The Bible calls new Christians "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Without certain essentials, babies will not develop normally.

The church is to a new Christian what the home and family are to a baby. You identify with your new family by confessing Jesus publicly and by experiencing believer's baptism. Acts 2:41 says, "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

Attend church Sunday. Share with the pastor that you want to be baptized and become a member of the church.

Praying is to spiritual life what breathing is to physical life. Breathing must be regular and continuous. The Bible says, "Pray continually" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Learn to be specific in your praying. In 1 John 1:9 it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

God's Word is to a new Christian what good food is to a baby. Good food is a daily requirement for proper growth. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2) 

Tips for the new Believer
There is an enemy. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." Satan could not stop you from receiving Christ, so now he will try to keep you from becoming a happy, effective follower of Christ. Expect his opposition.

But you have a friend. In Proverbs 18:24 it says, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." And Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

With Christ you are a winner! "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Please let us know of your decision to follow Christ so that we may help you in your journey as one of His followers. 

And welcome to God's family!

*The content of this page was borrowed from Eternal Life, a gospel tract published by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Scripture was quoted from the English Standard Version of the Bible.