In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven?
I'd like to share with you how the Bible answers this question. There is a word that can be used to answer this question: FAITH
F is for Forgiveness.
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. "In Him (meaning Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" Ephesians 1:7a
A is for Available.
Forgiveness is available. It is available for all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. But forgiveness is not automatic. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21a
I is for Impossible.
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. God is love as we mention above, but He is also holy and just. "For judgment is without mercy." James 2:13a. Man is sinful even a "good" person. No one measures up to Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sins?
T is for Turn.
Repent in the Bible means to change directions or turn. Turn from something--sin and self. "But unless you repent you will all likewise perish" Luke 13:3b. Turn to someone; trust Christ only. The Bible tells us that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." I Corinthians 15:3b-4. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
H is for Heaven.
Heaven is eternal life. It's here. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10b. It's also the hereafter. Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3.
H also stands for How.
How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?
FAITH stands for something else too. Forsaking All I Trust Him. That Him is Jesus. If you turn from your own way and reach out in Faith to Jesus, you will know that you are on the right road to eternal life. Remember what we said earlier, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved, that is all that you need to start to have this relationship with God.
Understanding what we have shared, would you like to receive this forgiveness by trusting in Christ as your personal Savior and Lord?
Pray to accept Christ:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that You arose from the grave. I now ask You to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul. Amen.
The next step is to publicly announce your decision to follow Jesus. Coming to the front of the Church during the response time and telling the Pastor or telling family and friends your decision to follow Christ does this. It’s a way of telling people you are not ashamed of Jesus. Jesus tells us that if we are ashamed of following Him, then He will be ashamed of us when He goes to God on our behalf. So if we say that we are followers of Jesus before people, Jesus will not be ashamed of us when He goes to God.
Pray for commitment/recommitment:
Dear Jesus, thank you for saving my soul. I do not want to be ashamed of You. Instead, I want to publicly stand before Your church, with other Christians, as soon as possible. Amen.