More important than where you go to church is where you will spend eternity. God’s Word makes it possible for you to know you have eternal life.

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1. Recognize Your Need

The Bible says:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2a,)

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No matter how religious or respectable we may be, we have all sinned against a holy God. Our good works cannot erase our guilt.

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2. Understand the Consequences

 

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a, KJV)​ The “wages” – what we earn – for our sin is death: separation from God forever in hell. Left to ourselves, we are unable to save or fix ourselves.

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“…all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5a)

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3. Look to God’s Provision

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Because He loved us, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

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On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment we deserved. Our only ground of boasting is “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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4. Receive God’s Gift by Faith

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Eternal life is not something we earn; it is a gift we receive by faith.“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)

 

To be saved, you must turn from trusting yourself, your religion, or your good works, and put your trust in Christ alone – believing that His death and resurrection are enough to save you.

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5. Know That You Are Saved

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God wants you to have assurance: “These things have I written unto you…that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

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If you will call on the Lord in simple faith – admitting you are a sinner, believing that Jesus died and rose again for you, and trusting Him alone as your Savior – God promises to forgive your sins and give you eternal life.

 

You might express this faith in a prayer like:“Lord, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again. I now turn from my sin and trust Him alone as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.”

 

The prayer itself does not save – Christ does – but if this is the sincere desire of your heart, God will keep His promise.