But now God has shown us a different way to heaven—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep His laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says He will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.” (Rom 3:22; TLB). Every human that has ever lived has faced the same problem: their sins separate them from God. But the Bible offers a simple, straightforward solution, “Good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Lk 2:10). The Good News tells us how God make us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” (Rom 1:17). God’s Word also says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph 2: 8-9). The Good News is that the death and resurrection of Jesus give you access to God. In other words, you can only get to Heaven by trusting in God through His Son, Jesus. How do you express faith in Christ? Here’s a simple, biblical guide.
I. Admit you need a Saviour.
You can’t get to God on your own; you are a sinner. You have blown it. Heaven is perfect, and you are not. But the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1: 9).
II. Believe in Jesus.
The Bible is straightforward about what you need to believe for salvation: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). That means you believe Jesus is Who the Bible says He is —the Saviour of the world— and you trust Him for your future with everything you have. Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn 14:6). And your belief must be specific in Christ: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom 10:9-10, 13).
III. Confess your commitment to Jesus.
Tell Jesus you trust Him with your life. Confess that you believe in Him and His promises. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (Jn 12:44-46)
IV. Depend on God’s promises.
You can rely on God’s promise in 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.” No matter what you have done or how long you have done it, God promises that everyone who believes in Jesus will live with Him in Heaven forever. Have you committed your life to Jesus? Why wait longer if you haven’t trusted Him and committed to following Him?
Pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, You have promised that if I believe in You, everything I have ever done wrong will be forgiven, and You will accept me into Your eternal home in Heaven one day. I’m so grateful that I do not have to earn or work for my salvation. It is a gift from God through Your sacrifice on the cross. I confess my sin, and I believe You are my Saviour. I receive You into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to Your management. I want to serve You instead of myself for the rest of my life. I commit my life to You and ask You to save me and accept me into Your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
