Articles

 By Leah Childers

2000 years ago, a young man asked Jesus, “What must I do to be saved?” That is STILL the ultimate question. Basically - “Where will I go when my life is over?”

My husband and I sell Christian Tees at various malls and fairs. It's interesting because we talk to soooo many people with differing viewpoints and questions.

I've asked many customers and visitors to our booth, “ Are you a Christian?” Or more importantly, “Are you going to Heaven?”

I don't always get the same answer. I've heard variations of:

“Yes, because I go to church.”

“I grew up in church.”

and “I hope so.”

The last time I worked at our booth alone, I spoke to a man who grew up in church and had been very involved in his church for years. I asked him if he was going to Heaven and he answered quite truthfully, “I hope so.”

I asked if he'd like to know how to go to Heaven. Before I completed my sentence, he said, “YES. I've always wanted to know.”

In less than 3 minutes, he was so happy and knew for a fact that he was indeed going to Heaven. It was a GREAT day!

I will never forget the day that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to Heaven. That was absolutely a great day.

Just like many others, I grew up in church & went to church for years. Also, like many, even though I went to church I wasn't positive that I was going to Heaven.

That is not the case today.

I can remember sitting on my bed and like that man I mentioned, in a matter of minutes I had peace, joy and the certainty of Heaven.

As in the phrase, “Have Jesus, will share.” I will share with you what I told him and also what changed my life.

The answer is in the Bible. God, the Creator of the universe, is the one who tells us how to enter HIS Heaven. He WANTS us to know.

In fact, He tells us that He doesn't want anyone to perish (not go to Heaven and spend eternity away from God.) 2 Peter 3:9

God lets us know that going to church, being nice, or even reading your Bible isn't what “gets you into Heaven”.

There is nothing we can DO that will make us good enough.

We are ALL sinners (Romans 3:23)

Sin separates us from Him and makes us ineligible to go to Heaven. 

Romans 6:23

Well, what can we do?

GOD sent His PERFECT Son, Jesus, to take our place. Jesus shed His blood and died. Three days later He rose from the dead. We must believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead.

The most well-known Bible verse in the entire world tells us God's plan for ANYONE who will believe.

That verse is 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.”

Please don't stop here.

This is huge! I want to explain a little more.

I want to explain what GOD means by BELIEVE.

We are not just to intellectually believe that it's true, but we are to act upon this belief.

Based upon believing what Jesus did for us, we are to choose to follow and obey Him.

This is a SAVING faith.

James 2:19 tells us that even demons believe that Jesus died and rose.

They know it happened.

What's the difference? They are not choosing to FOLLOW, Trust and obey Jesus.

Who can become God's children?

John 1:12 tells us

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

When God tells us to believe, He also wants us to RECEIVE Jesus as Lord of our lives. As we read God’s Word, we understand what God tells us to do and obey it. After He sent Jesus to die in our place and give us eternal life, that is the least that we can do. Don’t you agree? Romans 12:1 tells us that it is reasonable.

He LOVES us. As we read God’s Word and follow Him, we will learn to love Him more and more.

I John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

This saving faith comes with action. Obedience.

John 14:15 tells us

“If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Remember, the Devil “believes” also, but he will not make Jesus Lord of His life.

Are you ready to become a child of God?

Do you believe you're a sinner?

Are you sorry for all the things you've done wrong?

Do you believe that Jesus died in your place so you won't have to go to Hell and that He rose from the dead?

Are you ready to follow and obey Jesus?

If so, let's pray:

Dear Lord Jesus. I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin.

I am so sorry for all my sins. Please forgive me.

I believe that you died and rose from the dead. I am choosing today to trust you as my Lord and Savior. I will follow you.

Thank you, Lord, for forgiving and saving me. I am now your child.

Thank you, Jesus.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen!

Did you pray this prayer and mean it?

Well, PRAISE God. You are NOW God's child.

You have ETERNAL life.

You are a CHRISTian which means “Follower of Christ.”

To learn and grow in your faith, begin to read your Bible. A good place to begin is the book of John. *It may also say ST. John.

In the back of the Bible you’ll find 1st, 2nd or 3rd John. Those are powerful books to read also, but you may want to begin with John.

If you have a Christian friend, perhaps he or she can help you find a Bible believing church.

Out of obedience to God, you'll want to get baptized as a sign to others that you are choosing to obey Jesus.

Today is a GREAT day.

May God bless you. Welcome to the family.