Will I Go To Heaven?
HOW CAN I BE SURE I WILL GO TO HEAVEN?
THE BIG QUESTION: Can you be sure you will go to heaven when you die? Anyone could ask this crucial question: “Will I go to heaven?” People have been asking this question when they became aware of their conscience. First of all, God wants you with Him forever! And fortunately, He answers this life-changing question.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God. And from the beginning of Creation, God has wanted to have a relationship with His highest creation—humankind. But religion has confused the matter and told people they could earn Salvation or work hard enough to get it.
Religion tells people that God will accept them if they follow specific rules. But that’s not the gospel at all. “Gospel” means Good news. And the good news is: SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT. Going to HEAVEN is a free gift! God offers this gift of Salvation because He is madly in love with YOU! He wants to be in a love relationship with you.
A RELATIONSHIP
Christianity is a relationship, so God sent Jesus Christ to the earth to die on the cross as a substitute for you and me for all our sins. Jesus paid the price to create a bridge between God and man.
A perfect man, Jesus, took the place of imperfect men and women. He exchanged His innocent life for our guilty life. Salvation is God’s plan for eternal life!
We understand God’s plan of Salvation through His explanation in the Bible. Therefore, God has given us the Bible, His written Word to humankind—to communicate His fantastic plan of Salvation.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SALVATION
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10 verses 9 to 10).
Every man, woman, boy, and girl ever born, and that’ll ever be born into this world, has already been “saved” by Jesus Christ. When He died, He died to save all humanity. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3 verse 16)
However, Salvation is only a necessary experience in the life of the one who has consciously believed and declared the lordship of Jesus over their life. You receive Salvation or are saved by believing in Jesus and further affirming His lordship.
If you reread Romans 10, you will notice that it didn’t say, “if thou shall cry and ask God to save you, you shall be saved.” The Bible’s way to receive Salvation isn’t by your tears or good works. Instead, Salvation is a gift from God: ” God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2 verse 8). For example, the Bible tells us about a Roman centurion named Cornelius. He was devout and generous, yet he wasn’t saved (Acts 10 verse 2).
One day, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “… ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!’
(Acts 11 verses 13 to 14).
HOW TO RECEIVE THE GIFT
Salvation is a gift received by the affirmation of the right words. Once you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth that He’s Lord over your life, instantly, you become a child of God; eternal life is imparted to your spirit. It’s an extraordinary miracle!
The world needs to know that receiving Salvation is not a difficult task. It doesn’t make sense to try fruitlessly to atone for your sins or impress God with your “good works. Whether You’re the most excellent or meekest person, you can’t trust your good deeds to save you. There’s a definite act required for Salvation: it’s the confession of the Lordship of Jesus, believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10 verse 14).
HE PAID FOR OUR SIN
For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10 verse 14.
In the Old Testament, God gave laws and instructions to the children of Israel, which they couldn’t keep, no matter how they tried. But thanks be unto God! But, unfortunately, those laws and commandments have been nailed to the cross.
Colossians 2 verse 14 says He blotted out “…the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
Will I go to heaven if I sin?
Not only have your sins been nailed to the cross, but what made you a sinner in the first place has also been nailed to the cross! No wonder Paul said in Romans 6 verse 11, “…reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God….” To be dead to sin is one part; to be alive to God is another; however, both have been consummated in Christ—in His works of Salvation.
The Bible says Jesus bore our sins on His own body on the cross: “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”
(1 Peter 2 verse 24). Our sins were dealt with before the resurrection. The resurrection is significant because that’s what brought us to life and justification in Christ. Hence, to receive Salvation, a man must confess the Lordship of Jesus and believe in His resurrection. Romans 10:9-10 says, “…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 shall be saved….”
Until you are born again, God’s abiding presence will never be with you. Therefore, you must be born again to enjoy continuous victory.
A PRAYER OF SALVATION
Will you be willing to accept His Lordship and friendship? If you do, then make this confession of faith.
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me, and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. Therefore, I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. I have eternal life through Him, and I’m born again in His Name. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Amen.
Congratulations! You are now a child of God.
If you just prayed the prayer of Salvation, please let us know and send us your prayer request to felixharcourtministries@fhmi.net
WHAT ABOUT WATER BAPTISM
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38.
Water baptism is the physical or outward demonstration of what occurs when one gives or surrenders their life to Christ Jesus. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savoir, it is believed by faith that your sin has been forgiven and that the blood of Jesus Christ has washed away all of your sins, which is absolutely correct. In other words, Water baptism signifies an act of faith through your physical expression.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17
Misconceptions about water baptism: Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
This scripture has led many to believe that water baptism is a part of Salvation and that the born-again experience cannot be authentic without it.
This same thinking would make seeing Jesus a prerequisite for Salvation, based on John 6:40.
Faith in the redemptive work of Christ produces Salvation – not our actions. However, James writes that faith without works is dead (James 2:20).
Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone; it must be acted upon.
This is what Mark is referring to when he speaks of baptism. Water baptism is a command of Jesus and is the initial action taken upon believing.
Mark’s statement could be rendered, “He who believes with saving faith (i.e., faith that produces actions) will be saved.” In this sense, water baptism is essential. It is an opportunity to act on your new profession of faith. But, on the other hand, Anyone who refuses to follow Jesus’ command to receive water baptism may be suspected of not really believing.
Water baptism is a command, but keeping this command does not produce justification. For example, Jesus administered forgiveness of sins without any mention of water baptism.
Philip told the Ethiopian eunuch, who asked Philip to baptize him, that if he believed with all of his heart, he could be baptized (Acts 8:37). Philip used water baptism only after an individual believed. This is also how Mark used water baptism.
Water baptism does not take the place of Romans 10:9-10. And it does not guarantee your heaven. Luke 23:43. Your motive of not being baptized matters. Matthew 3:15.
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Seven Benefits of Walking with the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to you. Part of His ministry in your life is that He makes the Kingdom of God real to you so that while you’re on this earth, you live as though you’re in heaven. In addition, he imbues you with the power and ability to live supernaturally and do supernatural things.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
There’s no Christianity without the Holy Spirit. He leads you in God’s perfect will. In your faith journey, He guides you away from looming trouble if your faith isn’t strong enough.
The Holy Spirit is your captain. Fellowship with Him; talk to Him about anything and everything. He’s more real than the air you breathe and lives in you. The difference between a believer and an unbeliever is the gift and its manifestation of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.
HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
ACTS 1:4,5 & 8. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
CHRIST PROMISES FULFILED
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
BAPTISM WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUE
Acts 2:1-4. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
YOU SPEAK TO GOD DIRECTLY
1 Corinthians 14:2. For Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
IT STRENGTHENS YOU
1 Corinthians 14:4. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
IT BUILDS YOUR FAITH
JUDE 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
IT ENABLES YOU WITH POWER TO WITNESS
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8.
HE TEACHES, REMINDS, AND SHOWS YOU THINGS TO COME
But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26.
BAPTISM ITSELF
ACTS 19:1-6. While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s Baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Will I Go To Heaven?
No reason to be condemned or walk in guilt because you don’t operate or walk in the gifts. And to answer the question, “Will I go to Heaven?” Whether you baptize or not, you will still make heaven if you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Colossians 1:27. But you will not utilize your redemptive right here on earth. It is a part of the salvation gift you received; why not access all instead of settling on the forgiveness of sin?
