The Bible shows us clearly how we can know for sure that Heaven will be our forever home when we leave this world. At First Love Baptist Church, here are some things we teach from God's Word:
ALL HAVE SINNED
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We all have sinned before God. Sin is defined as “missing the mark,” or in other words, doing something that violates God's standard of right and wrong. Sin is overstepping the boundaries God has laid out for our lives. For example, think of how hard it is for us to follow the Ten Commandments (not lying, stealing, taking God's name in vain, etc.). None of us can honestly say we have kept God's commands perfectly, all the time. Because of sin, we have “come short of the glory of God.” God’s glory is His perfection. As imperfect sinners, we can never measure up to God's standard of perfection. We must admit the fact that we have sinned before a righteous, holy God.
OUR SIN REQUIRES A PAYMENT
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) The wages, or what we have earned because of our sin, is death (separation from God, the Source of all life). The penalty that our sin has brought upon us is an everlasting existence in a place of torment the Bible calls "Hell." That’s what we deserve; but Christ offers to give us eternal life and a forever home in Heaven with Him.
JESUS DIED TO TAKE OUR SINS AWAY
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God commendeth, or “shows” His love for us by sending His own Son to die in our place. Our sins needed to be forgiven, and Jesus sacrificed His life to make this possible. Jesus is perfect and has no sin, yet He suffered sin's death penalty on our behalf. When Christ shed His own blood on the cross for OUR sins against God, He was dying as our substitute.
WE MUST BELIEVE ON JESUS TO BE SAVED
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Salvation is a free gift God offers to all those who will trust in His Son, Jesus. By placing our faith in Christ alone and what He did for us (dying on the cross, being buried, and coming back alive the third day), we transfer every bit of the responsibility for getting us to Heaven onto the Lord Himself. Our own good works cannot save us. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Do you have Jesus as your Savior? "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12) Simply call upon Jesus to save you. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
If you have been helped by this message, we would love to know. We will be glad to provide you with further materials that can help you to grow in your knowledge of God and the Bible. You can let us know about your decision to receive Christ as Savior by emailing:
Please, click on the video below to learn more about the Bible way to Heaven.