Life is full of questions...

Who is God? How can I have a relationship with Him? What does the Bible
mean when it talks about salvation or being "born
again?" Can I be sure that I'll go to Heaven when I die? How can I receive salvation, and once I have it, can I lose it? God's Word has the answers to all these questions and many more besides.

How to have a personal relationship with God and know you’re going to Heaven

Your eternal destiny is the single most important issue that you will ever face.

The Bible is very specific about this subject. Jesus reminds us that there is only one way to have eternal life - to live in Heaven with God forever.

“Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” - John 14:6

The Bible is clear: eternal life is not received by having your good works outweigh your bad, being a church member or any other good work.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

Therefore, the “one way” described in God’s Word is important. Although God is specific, He is also very compassionate. He offers eternal life as a free gift, to all who will receive it. In these few paragraphs you will discover the “importance of one.”

One Man’s Disobedience – Adam

God placed the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden – a perfect environment. He gave them the free will to choose between good and evil. When Adam was tempted by Satan, he chose to disobey God. Because of one man’s sin, every person born from Adam until today has been born with:

1. a sinful nature

2. spiritual separation from God

3. the desire to disobey God

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” - Romans 5:12

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…” - Romans 5:19

We choose to sin because we are born as sinners. Therefore, we are sinners by birth and by choice.

One Penalty for Sin – Death

There is one penalty for sin— death. However, the word death in the Bible has three aspects. Spiritual death is the lost spiritual condition in which we are all born as the result of Adam’s sin. We were born spiritually dead.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” - Romans 5:12

Physical death is that time when we cease to function with an earthly body. Physical death is not the end of existence.

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

Eternal death is the final separation from God that ends in the Lake of Fire. It is the fate of every person that does not have his sin forgiven and his name written in the book of life.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:14-15

One Man’s Obedience — Jesus Christ

Now that you understand that the penalty for sin is death, it helps you see more clearly the importance of the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. As God’s Son, Jesus willingly obeyed the Father and died for your sin.

“…by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” - Romans 5:19

“But God commendeth (proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

The Bible also says that after Jesus died on the cross, he was buried and rose from the dead three days later.

“…I declare unto you the gospel…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:” - 1 Corinthians 15:1,3-4

One Way to be Saved from Sin — Repent & Believe

“…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Acts 20:21

There is only one way to be saved from sin. Time after time in the Bible the requirement given for a person to be saved from sin and possess eternal life is through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

This belief is not just an acceptance of fact but is a change of heart that results in a change of action. The Bible calls this change “repentance”. To “repent” is to be sorrowful for your actions and to turn to God with a penitent heart. It is letting go of your worldview and taking up His worldview.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..” - Acts 3:19

“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” - Acts 16:30-31

“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.” - John 3:16

To believe does not mean to only believe that Jesus existed or that He was a good example. Belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour is to realize that He died for you, and to trust in Him and His death on the cross as your only hope for peace and eternal life.

One Day it Will be Too Late

Satan’s most dangerous strategy is to convince you that there is plenty of time to receive Christ as Saviour. The Bible reminds us:

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” - Proverbs 27:1

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

You would be wise to heed Paul the Apostle's admonition:

"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - II Corinthians 6:2