Are you...?

If you were to die tonight, Are you 50%, 75% or 100% sure that your sins are forgiven and you are going to heaven?

How would you answer that question? Do you realize that the Bible teaches that a person can know 100% for sure that they are going to heaven? The Bible says:

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." (1st John 5:12-13)

To know in this case means to have absolute assurance that you have eternal life. Do you know? If not, here is how you can know...

1. Understand the Problem

Man is separated from Holy God because of his sin. The Bible says that: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23) We have all broken God's laws. Think about it...have you ever sinned? Ever lied? Ever taken something that did not belong to you? Ever disobeyed your parents? These are just a few of the 10 commandments. The Bible says that if you break even one of them, you are guilty of breaking all of them (See James 2:10). Sin keeps us from having a relationship with God and will ultimately keep us out of heaven if we die in our sin.

2. understand the penalty

The Bible says: "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). Death in this context refers not to physical death, but spiritual death. Just as there are earthly penalties for breaking the laws of the state, there is a penalty for breaking the laws of our Holy God. If you die in your sin, you will forever be cast into a place of outer darkness called Hell. However, it is not God's desire for any one to perish, but for all to repent of their sin and turn to Him (See 2nd Peter 3:9).

3. Understand that a provision was made for your sin.

Jesus Christ was born on this earth to a virgin named Mary. He lived the life of perfection that you and I could not live. He then willingly laid down his life on the cross for your sin. He then rose from the grave on the third day so that you could be forgiven. The Bible says, "...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) God offers this provision for our sin to all who will receive it. The Bible says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

4. you must personally respond to god's provision

You must repent (turn away) from your sins and turn to Jesus Christ by allowing him to take control of your life as your Lord and Savior. The Bible says, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus..." (Acts 3:19-20) To repent of sin means to stop pursuing sin (with God's help) and start pursuing God. Live for Him instead of living to please yourself. Are you willing to trust Jesus Christ to save you from your sins today? Here is an example of what someone might pray if they wanted to put their faith in Jesus Christ...

Dear God, I know that I have sinned and I have not lived up to you expectations for my life. I recognize that my sins keep me from knowing You. Please forgive me and come take control of my life. I want to change my way of living and I need your help to live a life that pleases you. Thank you for your forgiveness. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you responded to God's provision for you today, we want to help by sending you a follow-up Bible study and getting you connected with a local Bible-believing church. Please use our contact form to connect with us.

If you don't live in the Bailey area, please call 1-888-537-8720 24 hours a day and someone can help you.

*All verses are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

Bailey Baptist Church, 6646 Deans Street, Bailey, NC 27807 252-235-3663