IF YOU DIED TODAY, ARE YOU 100% SURE THAT YOU WOULD GO TO HEAVEN?

A message to you—from our Pastor, Thomas E. Manbeck

I’ve asked this question to thousands of people with many different backgrounds and religious affiliations.  I have found that most people, even religious people, are not 100% sure that they are going to Heaven.  The wonderful truth of the matter is this:  God has provided a simple plan of salvation which can be found in the Bible—God’s Word!

Many people have formed their own opinion about the way to Heaven, The bottom line of the matter, however, is this: What you or I think about how to get to Heaven is not the issue.  The issue is what God says in His Word.

The Bible says in 1 John 5:13, “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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” God wants us to know 100% for sure that we are going to Heaven when we die.  He has made the plan of salvation clear and simple.  There are 3 P’s to the plan of salvation.  There is the penalty for sin, the payment for sin and the pardon from sin.  God loves you and wants you to receive salvation as a free gift.  He wants you to understand it!  Let me please point out these great truths from the Bible to you. 

First of all, the Bible says in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  That means that all of us are sinners.  I’m a sinner, and you’re a sinner.  We have all done things that are wrong and we must realize we do not deserve to go to Heaven.

There is a penalty for sin.  We cannot sin and get by with it.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift if God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” The penalty of sin is death.  Someday we will all die.  Because of our sins, we cannot go to Heaven, but rather will suffer a spiritual death, which is being separated from God forever.  So we see that the penalty for sin is eternal death in Hell. 

This wonderful gift can be yours because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and rose again from the dead on the third day.  Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

So far we see that the penalty for sin is death in Hell, the payment for sin was made by Jesus dying and rising again.  Now let’s look at how we can receive the pardon for sin. 

The way we can be 100% sure that we are going to Heaven when we die is to believe and accept what Christ has done for us, and to trust Him as our personal Saviour!  Romans 10:9-10 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.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

If you believe Jesus died for you and rose again, you can call on Him right now to pardon you from sin and Hell and give you a home in Heaven.

Romans 10:13 says “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Why don’t you receive Christ as your Saviour right now by bowing your head and praying: “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, I believe you died for me and rose again.  I trust you now to save me from Hell, forgive me of my sins, and give me eternal life in Heaven.

Did you just believe and trust Jesus to save you?  Then rejoice! You have everlasting life.  John 3:36 says “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”  Everlasting is forever, and you have everlasting life now that you are saved.

Now, if you are going to grow as a Christian, 1.)You should be baptized by immersion.  2.) Begin reading your Bible everyday.  I suggest starting in Matthew.  3.) Start attending an independent Baptist Church and be faithful to all services. You will learn how to get your prayers answered, how to have a successful home, and how to have God’s blessing on your life.

If you live near Terre Haute, the Good Shepherd Baptist Church is such a place.  Come this Sunday! Let me know that you have trusted Christ as your Saviour or would like to, and we will help you in any way that we possibly can!

If you have just accepted Christ we would like to give you a New Testament.  Please call (812) 478-2626 and let me or one of my staff members know.