The most important question everyone should be able to answer is not “Do you have enough money in the bank?” It also is not, “Do you have the nicest car or home that you could buy?” It certainly is not, “Are you the most popular or most liked person in your area?” It is not even, “Are you the best person you can be?” The most important question that all should be able to answer correctly is “If I were to die today, tomorrow, or 100 years from now, am I 100% positive that I would go to Heaven?”
That answer can be “Yes,” if one has done what God says one should do to have His promise of eternity with Him. “I hope so”, “possibly”, or “maybe I’m going to Heaven” are answers that usually indicate one is trusting in their own means, or a religion’s way of getting to Heaven. One’s own way, ideas, hopes, or even one’s “goodness” are not ways that the Bible says will get anyone higher than the coffin lid. Since it is God’s Heaven, only His way matters in spending an eternity with Him. God’s Way, according to what God has made sure is preserved in His Word, is:
To know that you are a sinner. Sin is the breaking of any of God’s commandments. Sin includes lying, thievery, adultery, idolatry, coveting, backbiting, gossip, unkindness, disobedience to parents, jealousy and disobedience to any of God’s commandments. We are sinners, if we break just one of His laws. All are sinners.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23 “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:” Rom. 5:12
There is a penalty for sinning. The price tag for commission of sin is eternity in the Lake of Fire. “
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15 Also: James 1:15, Rev. 20:14.
There is good news, however. Even though we are all sinners, God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross is the only payment God will accept as payment for our sins.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation [atoning sacrifice that is payment] for our sins.” I John 4:9-10
If we accept and believe that Jesus died for our sins and that He arose from the dead, we can be saved from Hell. Our faith in trusting that Jesus’ death alone is payment for our sins saves us!
“That if thou shalt confess [to acknowledge] with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Mat. 10:32
After one’s last breath is taken from this world, eternity in Heaven or Hell awaits him. Are you absolutely, positively sure when you leave this world, that you will open your eyes in Heaven? If not, you can change that doubt by doing what the Bible says. Admit you are a sinner and not headed to Heaven; believe that Jesus’ payment for sin is the only payment God accepts, and ask the Lord to save you.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21
“We are saved by Someone’s doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.” — Lester
Thanks Bro Brinkworth.
Yes a child can truly be saved as I was but sure I went astray some but deep down Jesus held on to me which I am glad he did/does . Jesus physically touched me when I was a child and I can still feel that touch now as He showed me He is real and this has been my comfort all my life in that no one can ever tell me Jesus is not real .
The gospel is so simple, yet very few accept it.
It’s like what Jesus said in Matthew 7:14 “Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”
Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Brother Brinkworth,
I was saved in 1974 in a large mainline denomination church. I had been under conviction and had been asking my grandmother about Jesus. I was 8 years old. Eventually, the Pastor came out to my Grandparents home to visit me and talk to me. (Interesting that no one knew how to pray with a sinner without having the Pastor there) I don’t remember much about that visit, but I do remember him explaining to me how to respond to the invitation. As far as I know it was the next Sunday, I responded. I remember sitting on that front pew and being asked by the Pastor if I had prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. I also remember praying there and answering some questions there about what God had done for me.
Later….really until I was about 25 yrs old or so, I fell into sin and lived an un Godly lifestyle. I came to myself in the far country and returned to my Lord when I was about 30.
During those years in the far country, I doubted I had ever been saved. I became very bitter toward my early years in church and the people and events connected to it. So much so, that I could no longer remember any details at all about my experience.
When I was 47, the Lord gave me an experience..perhaps a vision? He allowed me for a time to experience the sights, sounds, and most importantly, the feelings of that day in 1974. It was one of the most powerful things I ever had happen in my life. I think it was his answer to my question…of what happened that day. I also realized that I had changed that day.
I thank Him for saving me, and I thank Him that he loves prodigals.
Thanks for your testimony. Mine is very similar. I believed I was saved around 8-10 years old by my grandmother’s witnessing, went in the wrong direction, and turned my life over to the Lord at 28.