How to Get to Heaven

Perhaps one of the most profound questions ever asked was asked by the Philippian jailor when he questioned, “What must I do to be saved?” That’s a great question, one that has eternal ramifications.

You may ask yourself, though, “From what must I be saved?” Mankind was made in God’s image and intended to live forever, but our sin has put a separation between us and God. Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” This isn’t a small problem; in fact, everyone alive is in the same predicament. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We’ve all come short of God’s standard of sinless perfection.

That would be no big deal, but there comes a penalty for our sin. Just as we receive punishment for breaking the laws of the land, we should expect punishment for breaking God’s laws. The punishment for breaking God’s laws is death. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This should come as no surprise, not because God is angry or uncaring, but because He gave fair warning long ago. He told Adam and Eve they would experience death if they disobeyed Him. They did, and the curse of sin has been passed down to every man, woman, and child who has ever lived.

The curse of death is more than a body that dies and goes in the ground with nothing after that. Because we were made for eternity, we will spend eternity somewhere. The Bible describes two real places to spend eternity: Heaven and Hell. Heaven is a beautiful place where there is no more pain, no more crying, and no more death. It is the place where God lives. Hell, on the other hand, is an awful place. The Bible describes it as a place of eternal, fiery punishment. That’s a reason to be saved!

Here’s the good news. Though we all deserve eternity in Hell, God doesn’t want you to go there. He loves you and cares for you deeply. In fact, God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place. John 3:16 “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. God wants you to be saved, saved from the eternal punishment for your sin! I Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

So, back to the Philippian jailor’s question: “What must I do to be saved?” Here’s the answer he received: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” There’s nothing you can DO to be saved; it’s all a matter of faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 “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.” Jesus paid the price for sin when He died on the cross. His shed blood makes it possible to offer forgiveness for our sins. I John 1:7 “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ” Eternal life is a free gift to you, paid for by the life of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The story doesn’t end there. Jesus didn’t stay dead; He rose again three days later! He conquered death. Because of His resurrection, He can offer eternal life in Heaven.

It’s great to be saved! You come to Jesus in simple faith, confess your sin, and ask for forgiveness, and you leave with a new life for here on earth and a home waiting for you in Heaven!

Are you saved? You can be today. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, confess your need to be saved to God, and ask Him to save you. The invitation is open to you…don’t delay!