May I ask you a question? Can you say without any doubt that you would spend eternity in heaven when you die? That may appear to be a question that is impossible for anyone to answer, but consider this verse from the Bible: “These things have I written unto you . . . that you may know that you have eternal life. . . .” (I John 5:13).
What is eternal life? And how can one know if he has eternal life?
1. Eternal life means to live with God in heaven forever. It is the opposite of everlasting punishment.
John 3:16—“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.”
2. Eternal life comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:6—“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.”
3. Eternal life is a gift that must be received, not worked for.
• You have sinned and broken God’s holy law.
Romans 3:23—“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
• Your sin must be punished and paid for.
Galatians 2:16—“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ . . . for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
• Only the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save you from your sins.
Acts 4:12—“Neither is there salvation in any other [person, religion, way, etc.]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
John 3:36—“He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that does not believe on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”
What should you do?
Romans 10:9, 13—“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For whosoever should call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”