Many people, when they consider going to heaven, look at their neighbor and think, “Well, I’m better than that guy,” but this is not the right way to think. We are not to measure ourselves by each other, but by the law of God.
According to the Bible, any sin at all disqualifies you from heaven. That means that even one little lie is enough to send you to hell for eternity. (Leviticus 18:5, Deuteronomy 27:26, James 2:10)
Jesus said,
There is none good but one, that is, God. (Matthew 19:17)
And David wrote,
There is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3)
And the apostle Paul wrote,
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
So, have you sinned against God? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever cheated? Have you ever been angry with someone unfairly? Have you ever talked negatively about people behind their backs? Have you ever looked at another man’s wife and desired her? (Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 5:22, Romans 1:18-32)
Are you going to heaven or hell?
Do you need a saviour?
The Bible describes Jesus as
the Saviour of the World. (John 4:42)
The Bible calls Jesus
the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)
Jesus said,
I and my Father are one. (John 10:30)
The Bible says that Jesus was
without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
The Bible says that
he was wounded for our transgressions. (Isaiah 53:5)
The Bible says that
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:28)
The Bible says that Jesus
made peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:20)
Jesus said that his blood was
shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
The Bible says that
we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14)
The Bible says that we are saved
through faith in his blood. (Romans 3:25)
The Bible says 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. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
What we are discussing here is the gospel, which means “good news.”
The good news is that the sinless Son of God suffered on the cross and died for you, was buried, and rose to life again.
God is just and he requires payment for every sin. Many will pay for their own sins by suffering in hell forever. In his mercy, God has made a way for your sins to be forgiven. (Romans 3:21-26)
Jesus, who did no sin, was tortured and executed like the worst criminal. God himself became a man in order to take the punishment that you and I deserve. He suffered in our place, and the Bible says that it is the blood of God that pays for sin. (Acts 20:28)
Now consider this famous passage of scripture, 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.
And John 3:36,
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
In the Book of Acts, a man asked the apostles,
What must I do to be saved?
They answered,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (Acts 16:30-31)
So what does God require of you to be saved? He requires that you believe on his Son and accept the gift of salvation. He requires that you believe that Jesus suffered in your place because he loves you and wants you to be forgiven. He requires that you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that you too will be resurrected one day to spend eternity with him. This is what is means to be saved by grace through faith.
The Bible says,
By grace are you saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Bible describes salvation as
the free gift. (Romans 5:15)
Salvation is a free gift from God. It is an expression of his goodness and of his grace. What you have done in this life, whether good or bad, has no bearing on whether you receive it. It can only be received by faith.
Now in regards to going to heaven, Jesus said,
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
Jesus also said,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Jesus has ascended to heaven where he was before. He has gone to prepare a place for those whose sins have been forgiven. Will you join him there? Will you place your trust in him? Will you have him as your saviour? (John 6:62)
If so,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (Acts 16:30-31)