The Bible Way to Heaven
In II Peter 3:8, the Bible teaches that the Lord is, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Likewise, we at Lighthouse Baptist Church desire that every precious soul that God created receive forgiveness of their sins and receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The following is a simple outline of what one needs to know and believe to receive the gift of eternal life:
- God’s Passion – that He loves you!
Above all else, it was God’s unconditional love that paid for our sins on the Cross. John 3:16 relates this beautifully, “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.”
What’s truly amazing about this love is that it was demonstrated to us in spite of us falling short in our sinful condition. Romans 5:8 relates this fact, “But God commendeth (showed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
True love is unconditional and is most appreciated when a person is not at their best. - Our Problem – we are born sinners!
It is not your fault that you were born a sinner. It was because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience that we all sin and fall short. The word sin means “to miss the mark!” The mark is perfection. When Adam and Eve sinned, they “missed the mark.” This is precisely why the Bible says,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” ~Romans 3:23
No one is perfect. No one does the right thing 100% of the time. Whether it is lying, cheating, disobeying authority, adultery, cursing – you name it, no one is without sin. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” ~Romans 3:10
To be a sinner is to be “lost” and separated from God. Each of us are “lost” without Christ and His forgiveness, and must be “saved!” The Bible says as much, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved,” ~Acts 4:12 - Our Penalty – death, hell, and the lake of fire!
God’s justice demands that our sins be paid for. His love paid for it. Truth be told, if we were to have to pay for our sins, according to the Word of God, it would ultimately lead to each of us being condemned to The Lake of Fire for all eternity. Revelation 20:14-15 sums it up this way, “And death and hell were cast into the Lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - God’s Present – the gift of eternal life!
God’s plan for you to go to heaven is not a merit-based plan, but a mercy-based plan. Titus 3:5 conveys, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
Again, Ephesians 2:8-9, plainly relate God’s gracious plan to rescue us from a deserving hell, is a gift, not works: “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Truly, our part in salvation is simply to believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and receive the free gift of eternal life. John 1:12 relates, “But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Our Prayer – to call on His name and be saved!
The plan is as simple as 1-2-3: 1.) Hear the Word of God, then 2.) Believe the Word of God, then 3.) Receive the Gift of God by calling on His name. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you are sincere, and you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead, then you can pray this prayer and ask Christ to forgive you and give you the free gift of eternal life:
“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself by good works or anything I do or say. Right now I believe that you died on the Cross for my sins, were buried, and rose again. I am asking you and you alone, to forgive me of all my sins: past, present and future, and to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank you, Jesus for saving me. In your name I pray, Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer in sincerity, then you have God’s perfect Word on it that you are saved forever!
Romans 3:4 “…yea, Let God be true, but every man a liar;…”