How to be
How to be
Absolutely Certain
you’re going to Heaven
10 minutes of Good News reading that will change your
life FOREVER!
The “Good News” is that there is a God who wants to give you a better life here and
now, plus, life everlasting!
Amazingly, about 70% of the people in the United States, when asked
“If you were to die today, do you know
for certain you would go to Heaven?”
answer with “I’m not sure ” or worse, “No, I’m not going to Heaven ”.
How would YOU answer this question about going to Heaven?
God wants you to know for certain whether or not you have eternal life. How can you
know? Because you have it in writing from God ~ in His Word.
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His
Son. So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have His Son does not have
life. I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have
eternal life.” 1 John 5:11-13, NLT
God
LOVES
You!
He
really does!!!
You’re
very
important to Him! In fact,
you have
His very own IMAGE! (Genesis 1:27) He wants you to live a FULL life in peace with Him
and to receive eternal life. (John 10:10, Luke 22:31). And what does God think of Satan ~ the
father of LIES whose mission is to kill, steal, and destroy you, tricking you into Hell?
(John 10:10, Luke 22:31) God HATES him! He really does!!! (Matthew 13:39) God hates him so
bad, and loves you so much, He subjected Himself to sheer, unbearable torture just to
win you back. He’s a hero’s hero, the Real Deal. Read on, my friend, and I’ll see YOU in
Heaven…
The following are four practical Steps to Peace with God. They’re in the Bible, and
they’re public domain, so feel free to copy them and share them with a friend or loved
one.
These simple steps are also the
exact same ones
used by
Dr. Billy Graham.
Now that
guy knew about helping folks get into Heaven!
Step 1 ~ God’s Purpose: Peace & Eternal Life
Perhaps you’ve seen the now famous John 3:16 sign. What this Bible verse says is: “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.”
A little after that, we read:
“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
and then…
“…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23b
Since God planned for us to be at peace with Him and to have eternal life, why are many
people NOT enjoying this experience?
Step 2 ~ Our Problem: Sin & Separation
God did not make us robots to mindlessly love and obey Him. Instead, He gave us a will
and freedom of choice.
But, like Adam, we often choose to disobey God and go our own selfish ways (read
Genesis chapters 2-3). This side of our nature is called sin, and it separates us from God.
The Bible Says…
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death.”
Romans 3:23; 6:23
“So (after Adam sinned) the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden….”
Genesis 3:23a
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His
face from you, so that He will not hear.”
Isaiah 59:2
Our sin separates us from God.
Step 3 ~ God’s Remedy: The Cross
Jesus Christ
is the
only
answer
to this problem of separation from God. He died on the
cross and rose from the grave to pay the penalty for our sin-completely bridging the gap
between us and God.
The Bible Says:
“ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Salvation is found in
no one else,
for there is no other name
under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“…God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself
man, is between them to bring them together…” 1 Timothy 2:5 (TLB)
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word (Jesus) and believes Him who sent Me has
eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24
Time out! Won’t my good works get me to Heaven, somehow outweighing the bad?
Good question. Unfortunately, even “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags ”.
Isaiah 64:6
“You can’t buy your way to Heaven. All the good things you do in your whole life
wouldn’t get you one minute into Heaven.” -Billy Graham
Instead, we must trust what Christ has “Done”, not what we can “do”.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with
God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ
has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we
confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Romans 5:1, 2 NLT
God has provided the only way…and we must make the choice…
Step 4 ~ Our Response: Receive Christ
We can receive Jesus Christ when we believe in His message and trust in Him alone to
save us.
The Bible Says…
“All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives
forgiveness of sins through His name.” Acts 10:43
“(Jesus said) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”
John 14:1
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name.”
John 1:12
Are you here…
People ....................God
Anxiety................... Peace
Sin...........................Forgiveness …or here?
Separation _____C H R I S T_____ Relationship
Eternal Torment (Ouch!)....................... Life (Ahhhhh…)
How to receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner). Say it! Mean it! It’s true!
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). Want to stop – that’s enough to start!
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
He did! Over
500 eyewitnesses saw Him
after He rose.
(1 Corinthians 15:6)
History verifies His life, death, and resurrection.
4. Invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
(Receive Jesus as your Savior). The Holy Spirit is the gift of God when you accept
Christ. The Holy Spirit brings you the power to stop sinning and live a life pleasing to
God.
What to pray ~
You may use your own words or
say this suggested prayer:
Oh God,
I am a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin.
I’m willing to turn from my sin, and follow You instead,
but I need your help. I believe Jesus died and rose again to pay the
penalty for my sin. I receive Christ into my heart by faith. Fill me
with your Holy Spirit, Jesus. I want you to be Lord of my life,
from this moment on. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
God’s Assurance:
You have His Word on it.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, do you
know what He has given you?
The Bible Says…
“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:39
“He who has the Son has Life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you
may know that you have eternal life…”
1 John 5:12-13, NKJV
“…if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe
and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Romans 10:9,10
“ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His
seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing
what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21,22
Your New Life:
“When you receive Christ, you are born into God’s family through the supernatural
work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer…this is called regeneration or
‘new birth.’ God Bless you as you begin your wonderful new life in Christ.”
~Billy Graham
Yahoooooooooooooooo!!! You’re in the family
now! I can’t wait to meet you- here or in Heaven! Are you aware of the huge party you
just set off in Heaven? They’re more excited over your simple decision today than over
ninety-nine already righteous people who did not need to do what you just did! I suggest
you tell someone you received Christ and write down today’s date.
Happy New Birthday!
~Greg Swan, Your host today!
“ I tell you …there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
~Jesus Christ
(Luke 15:7)
Epilogue…or is it just the beginning?…What’s next?
Surprise! Nobody wants your money. If you want to, tell a friend right away, or tell us at heaven@drewswan.com. By the way - I lost my first born son Drew April 3rd, 2013 here on earth 7 days shy of his 25th birthday. So you may get why I'm personally SOO glad he took out the ultimate insurance policy- his own salvation. I KNOW Drew is in Heaven waiting for me - having a blast. God's first born son - Jesus - also died on April 3rd. A comforting "coincidence".
And no, we’re not going to tell you where to go to church or how to cut your hair or what brand of spring water to drink.
Friend- You’re a saint now. Reading any further will NOT change the fact YOU
ARE NOW GOING TO HEAVEN FOR SURE! We’re talking Done Deal!
Still reading? Boy, you must really be excited! I don’t blame you! Here are some
answers for questions you may have (along with even more assurances) that will help you
right now UNTIL you arrive in Heaven:
Should I go to a church?
Oh yeah.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let
us
encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
I recommended you look up a Bible believing church, perhaps one close to your home.
(Check the yellow pages!) It will be full of imperfect believers, which is a great place to
start. (Imperfect to us, maybe, but not imperfect in God’s eyes: “…by one sacrifice-His
crucifixion- He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14)
Perhaps you’ll be shy about going into a church. That’s a good sign! Satan doesn’t want
you to go. Go anyway. “Just do it.” (Nike® 1:01)*……*Not in the Bible- recent American Pop Culture phrase
Should I read a Bible?
Yes.
“If you remain in Me and
My words remain in you,
ask
whatever you wish,
and it
will be
given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to
be My disciples…apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:7, 8, 5b
Which Bible should I read?
Some different translations that are helpful are: New Living Translation, New
International Version, New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, The
Living Bible, The One Year Bible, The Message, etc.
Where can I get a Bible?
Almost any bookstore will have several to choose from (It’s the best selling book of all
time- and for good reason!) and certainly any Christian bookstore will have any number
of modern, understandable versions. Mass retailers also carry many versions. In the
United States, for instance, Wal-Mart, Target and K-Mart carry many translations. You can
read the Bible for FREE on line at www.Bible.com or download their great app and even listen to the Bible while you exercise! You may also get more help there on how to grow in your relationship with Christ at www.Gospel.com.
Will I be able to understand the Bible and apply it to my life?
Yes!
“…the Spirit of truth…will guide
YOU
into
all truth.”
John 16:12
What about talking with God ( prayer ) ~ does He even hear me, I mean, c’mon,
really?
Absolutely!
“And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in
line with His will. And if we know He is listening when we make our requests, we can be
sure that He will give us what we ask for.” 1 John 5:14,15
What if I don’t feel any different?
If you or someone you know is married, consider this analogy: When two people know of
each other, like you may have known of or about Christ, are they married? Nope.
If they date and have a long courtship and even get engaged, having the strongest human
emotions for each other, like you may have had a strong emotional experience that you
thought brought you closer to God, does that make them married? No again.
When are you married? You’re married when you say “I do”.
Verses
Today you said “I do” to Jesus Christ. It was an act of your will. Feelings can be fickle,
so don’t worry another second if you don’t feel different. In fact, never worry again -
and that’s an order!…
“Do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we
wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you
need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34
Nice marriage example, but since so many people seem to get divorced, what if Christ
decides to divorce me?
Impossible- He says so right in His Word:
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.’ ” Hebrews 13:5
“If we are unfaithful,
He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
Once you receive Christ, that’s it, even if you make a mistake and “are unfaithful”, He
“remains faithful”. Friend, that’s love!
You don’t know me. I’ve actually done some things that may be unforgivable.
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are llike scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
“I (Your Father in Heaven) forgive your sins - every one…as far as sunrise is from
sunset, I have separated you from your sins.” Psalm 103: 4,12 The Message (First person)
“This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to
SAVE sinners—and I (The Apostle Paul- who used to help murder Christians) was the
worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use
me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others
will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 15,16 NLT
Now that I’m certain I’m going to Heaven, does that mean I will never sin again?
As you grow in your faith, you may have “growing pains” and commit sin. Now if you
sin, you can tell the Lord about it- He’ll forgive you and cleanse you- He promises!:
“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us
from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9
Friend, the Christian journey is a great, life-long adventure!
Challenges
will
come,
but take heart: “…the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
“I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians
4:13 NLT
You will be amazed at how much you will now understand of what the Bible says
directly to YOU! I suggest you set up a daily reading plan. Take time to listen to God’s
inner voice, too- He’s one great conversationalist, and One who truly values your
friendship!
“…the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends (Jesus
did that for you). You are My friends …I no longer call you servants, because a master
doesn’t confide in his servants. Now
you are My friends,
since I have told you everything the Father told Me. You didn’t choose Me. I
chose you. I
appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you
whatever you ask for, using My name.”
– Jesus Christ, John 15:13-16 NLT
May you yield to God’s specific plan for YOU to reach your ultimate potential and
fulfillment in this life. And friend, rest easy tonight ~ and every night! Your name was
written today in the Book of Life which is kept safe in your future, permanent home-
Heaven, The Heaven itself!
“I will never erase their names (believers) from (meaning your name is already there)
the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are
Mine.” Revelation 3:5 “...whose names are (already) written in the Book of Life.” Philippians 4:3
You’re there - count on it! You have it in writing from God! And now God has
Your Name in writing! Remember: “These things I have written to you
who believe in the name of the Son of God, that YOU may KNOW that YOU HAVE
eternal life…”
1 John 5:12-13, NKJV
How can you be Absolutely Certain you’re going to Heaven?
God has doubly assured YOU with words that
leave absolutely no room for even the tiniest doubt:
“You Have...You KNOW...Forever...Confident…Sure…Guarantee”
That’s how!
And now you KNOW! See you there!!