If you died today do you know for sure that you would go to Heaven? I'm sure you will agree that it would be great to KNOW that HEAVEN IS YOUR HOME? But, you say, "CAN A PERSON REALLY KNOW?" The Bible plainly teaches that we can know, BEYOND A SHADOW OF ANY DOUBT, that we have eternal life in Heaven. 1 John 5:13 says "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life . . . " But, you say, "HOW CAN I KNOW?" There are four simple steps found in God's word. Let's look at what the Bible says.

STEP NUMBER ONE, we must realize the PRESENCE OF SIN in our lives. Romans 3:10 says "There is none righteous, no, not one:" I'm not righteous, you are not righteous, there is no one who is righteous. Romans 3:23 says "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Again, we are reminded of our sinfulness. "All have sinned," the Bible says. I HAVE SINNED, YOU HAVE SINNED, the Bible says, "ALL HAVE SINNED."

STEP NUMBER TWO, we must realize the PENALTY OF SIN. Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death . . . " The Bible speaks of two deaths, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL. Spiritual death is referred to as the SECOND DEATH. Revelation 20:14 says "And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Now the Bible says the wages of sin is death. We have broken God's law (Romans 3:23) and the penalty is death, ETERNAL DEATH.

But look at the second part of Romans 6:23, there we find:

STEP NUMBER THREE, the PROVISION FOR OUR SIN. It reads " . . . but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Now what do you have to do to receive a gift? Simply accept it, right? If someone were to offer you a GIFT today, you could do one of two things, you could ACCEPT it or REFUSE it. The same is true of Salvation. You either ACCEPT it or REFUSE it. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The penalty for sin is eternal death. SOMEONE MUST PAY THE PENALTY. When Jesus died on the cross HE PAID OUR PENALTY FOR SIN and offers us ETERNAL LIFE. Will you accept it? Here's how:

STEP NUMBER FOUR, YOU MUST RECEIVE CHRIST IN YOUR HEART BY FAITH. Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised Him from the dead THOU SHALT BE SAVED." Notice it says, "believe in thine heart." Believing in Jesus means a HEART ACCEPTANCE and FULL RELIANCE UPON and TRUST IN HIM. Please notice also, it says, " . . . thou shalt be saved." These are positive words. They do not say you can hope to be, or might be, but that YOU SHALL BE SAVED. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED."

Won't you, right now, call upon God and TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD? Just bow your head and pray, "Dear Lord, I know I've sinned and I realize that Jesus died for me. Please forgive me and save me. I take Jesus as my Saviour right now." If you will pray that prayer, and mean it, ON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD, you will be saved and CAN KNOW that if you died right now, HEAVEN WOULD BE YOUR HOME. May God help you to do it now.

Pastor Jim Summerson

For more information, literature and help, please contact the Haven Free Will Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-233-2233.