Will I Go to Heaven?
By Jeanne Dennis, Colson Fellow and Centurion
At some time in our lives we all wonder, Will I go to heaven? People hold various ideas on how a person can get to heaven.
Some think they’ll go there if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. Some think God will just let everyone in. Some think there’s no such place.
They’re all wrong. There is only one way to enter heaven, and that is through the door. And the Door is Jesus Christ.
How to Get to Heaven
You Can’t Earn Your Way to Heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9)
You Can’t Buy Your Way to Heaven.
“. . . it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8)
You Can’t Find Your Way to Heaven without Jesus Christ.
“For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith . . . “ (Rom. 3:22–24 NKJV).
Propitiation means that Jesus reconciled us to God; He satisfied God’s righteous wrath because of our sin by taking the punishment for us. He died so that we wouldn’t have to. But death could not hold Him. He rose again on the third day and is alive and active in the lives of believers through His Spirit. In heaven He prepares a place for us to live with Him forever.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
But You Can Know You’ll Go to Heaven—If You Belong to Jesus.
God provided a way for all to go to heaven—if we access His free gift. He loved the whole world so much that He gave His Son to die for our sin. All of us are guilty of sin against the holy God, our Creator. Instead of giving us the punishment we ALL deserve—which is death—He took our sin upon Himself in Jesus.
- Only a perfect sacrifice could pay for sin.
- Only Jesus was good enough to pay the price, because He was without sin—fully God and fully man.
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NASB).
What Does It Really Mean to Be a Christian?
Being a Christian is not:
- About religion
- Or being a member of a church
- Or doing enough good to merit a place in heaven
Being a Christian is:
- Having an intimate relationship with the God of the Universe through His Son, Jesus
- Having the Spirit of God Himself dwelling inside you
- Having God’s Spirit loving and guiding you, molding, disciplining, and recreating you into the image of His Son.
- An unending love relationship far more wonderful and fulfilling than anything else you have ever experienced
- A relationship with Perfect Love that will challenge you to the depths of your being.
How Can I Belong to Jesus?
Salvation (being saved from sin and being made fit for heaven) does not happen because of anything we do. God reaches out to us with truth both through His Word (the Bible) and by grace through the Holy Spirit.
It is God who gives us faith to believe. We have nothing to give Him but our sin.
- We must reject our own foolish pride.
- We must submit to His authority and control.
- We must agree with Him that we are sinners who need a Savior.
He waits to welcome all who believe as His own beloved children.
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” (Rom. 19:9–13 NKJV)
But those who refuse to believe and follow Jesus cannot live in heaven.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3: 36 ESV)
Do you believe in Jesus? Do you understand that you are a sinner? Are you willing to submit to Him and repent of (turn away from) sin? (He’ll help you.)
If so, why not ask Him right now to be Lord of your life? Just talk to Him in your own words. Ask His forgiveness and thank Him for the faith to believe.
Invite Him to be your Savior and Lord, and ask Him to help you live a new life in Him. He’s listening and waiting to welcome you as His own.
How Can I Learn More about a Relationship with Jesus?
If you have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, please let us know. We would love to help you grow in faith.
Meanwhile, find a Bible-believing church and start reading the Bible for yourself.
If you want to know how to read the Bible, visit our page How to Use the Bible.
You can find out more about the biblical worldview by following the links in the box below for our Worldview Series.