“16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17
Do you know for sure that you are going to heaven? If you’re like most people, you’re a little afraid to say “Yes.” You think it sounds a little presumptuous. I mean, can anyone really be sure?
Well, the Bible has good news for you. You can be sure. In fact, God wants you to be sure. And it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Let’s look at what God says in His Word.
There is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:10
God clearly explains in His Word that we are all sinners. “All have sinned.” None of us is good enough to get into heaven on his or her own merits to spend eternity with God. “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
But God loves us so much that He provided a way. That way is through His Son, the Lord Jesus. By dying on the Cross, Jesus paid the full and complete price for our sins so that we don’t have to.
Because He shed His blood and died for us, Jesus Christ is able to fulfill His promise to freely give believers eternal life.
He who believes in Me has everlasting life.
John 6:47
In one sense, eternal life is what its name suggests: unending life. After all, if eternal life could be lost, then it is misnamed, because it wouldn’t really be eternal. All who have eternal life will live forever in God’s kingdom. No one who has come to faith in Christ will ever go to hell. Once you believe in Christ, your eternal destiny in God’s kingdom is guaranteed.
In another sense, eternal life is not merely unending life. It is the life of God. Indeed, John refers to Jesus Christ Himself as eternal life. Eternal life is God’s kind of life. It is life that comes from God. Thus a person who has eternal life has God’s life within him.
It is obvious from what we have just said that eternal life doesn’t begin when we die. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me has [present tense] everlasting life.” He didn’t say that the one who believes in Him will have (future tense) everlasting life. He said that he has eternal life–from that very first moment of faith. Thus a brand-new believer has God’s life, which is unending and full of potential.
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
John 11:25-27
It really is that simple. Take a second look at how Martha responded to the Lord’s question, “Do you believe this?”
She was definite and assured. Martha didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes, Lord I believe.” She believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the One whom the Old Testament prophets had foretold.” She knew that the Messiah gives eternal life to all who believe in Him. There was no doubt in her mind.
Like Martha, you too can be sure you have eternal life. The Bible says that you must believe in Christ for eternal life. Have you done that? If you have, then you are saved! It really is that simple!
