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How to Go to Heaven
Why is heaven appealing to so many people? Why do those who claim to not be religious still hold beliefs about heaven? Our culture doesn’t know much about heaven, and yet it maintains a positive attitude about it.
Why do most people want to go to heaven? Because God created each of us with an internal sense there’s more beyond this life. We are designed for an eternal life and it begins the moment we die. Some people try to ignore it, while others reject it—atheists publicly oppose it. Even still, there’s a feeling within all of us that keeps coming back to heaven. An Old Testament author said God “has planted eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
How do you go to heaven? The answer is simple but sobering. You have to be perfect. Not mostly perfect, but absolutely perfect. This means you can’t have a bad day or a moment of weakness where you give into temptation. Ever.
The reason is God lives in heaven and He is absolutely pure and holy. We can’t be in His presence unless we are pure as well. Just one sin is enough to prevent us from entering heaven. The Bible says, “No one is righteous—not even one” (Romans 3:10).
That’s the bad news, but here’s the good news: With Jesus, you don’t have to be perfect. God sent His Son to our world to take away our sins. Jesus was perfect and never sinned, but He took all of our sins to the cross. His death was the judgment we deserve. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Jesus made a way for you to be pure and spend eternity in heaven. You only have to accept God’s gift. Ask Jesus to come into your life, turn away from your sins, and trust He is the only way to heaven.
Are you ready to receive Jesus and guarantee your eternity will be spent with Him in heaven?
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?