Can you know for sure that when you die you go to heaven? The Bible says, yes—you can know!
Is it possible to know that when you die, you will goThe key is to follow what the Bible says, not what makes good sense to us or seems right in our own minds (Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.").
So let's look at the book of John. As John writes, his goal is to show us how to obtain eternal life - by believing that Jesus is God's Son! You can even read this book through and come to your own conclusion.
As you read, pay careful attention to the following verses. They tell you how to obtain eternal life:
John 1:12: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Believing in Jesus' name simply means believing his claims about his own identity. Jesus claimed to be equal with God the Father. Do you believe that Jesus is God? If you believe Jesus, then you are one of God's children.
Perhaps the most famous verse of all time is John 3:16. It says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
So what does it mean to "believe in him?" Fortunately Jesus answers that question for us in John 11:25-27. In discussing her brother's death Jesus told a woman named Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
If you compare Jesus' statement and question with Martha's affirmation, you'll discover what it means to "believe in him." Jesus claimed that he gives life and raises us from the dead. When he asked Martha if she believed his claim she answered "Yes!" She then said she believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
This means that believing Jesus is the Son of God is equivalent to believing he is the one who gives us life and raises us from the dead. This is the content or kind of faith that obtains eternal life. The belief that obtains eternal life is very specific - it is the belief that Jesus is the Son of God who gives us life and raises us from the dead.
Keep this in mind as we return back to fourth chapter.
John 4:10 says, "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'"
Jesus is the living water. When we try to live life on our own without him, we never find that true, lasting satisfaction. Something is missing. That something is Jesus. When we acknowledge Jesus for who he is, we find that missing puzzle piece in our lives. Our thirst for peace is quenched. Our fears are dismissed. Jesus offers all of this and more to us.
John 5:24 says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
Did you read that? What more can we say?!
John 6:47 says, "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."
Believes what? Well, just what we've been talking about here. Believes in Jesus. Believes that he is God in the flesh. Believes that he provided the sacrifice for our sins and that he is the only way to heaven.
CONCLUSION: Lots of people try to make it complicated, but it's really pretty simple: God gives eternal life to everyone who wants it. All you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God who gives it!
So the big question is: What do you believe about Jesus?
Read through the book of John, and as you do, continue to ask yourself this question: Does what Jesus says and what he does support his claim to be God? If you answer yes, then you need to believe in him and receive that eternal life. It's as simple as that. You may want to pray a simple prayer to commemorate the moment you come to this belief and to articulate what’s in your heart to the Lord. The prayer can be one similar to this:
Dear Jesus,
I believe that you are the only way to heaven, and that your death on the cross paid the penalty for my sin. I know I can’t be good enough or work hard enough to obtain salvation myself. I put all my faith and trust in you. Please be my Savior. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross that made this possible. Thank you for making me your child.
In your name I pray, amen.
If you prayed a prayer similar to this or you have any questions, give us a call (928-567-3577). We' love to rejoice with your or answer your questions! to heaven? The Bible says yes, you can know for sure. |
