How to Know God and Go to Heaven
The Plan of Salvation
God’s Plan ~ Relationship
God’s plan from the beginning was to have a relationship with us. He love us deeply.
- “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)
Our Problem ~ Sin
Sin is disobedience to God, and separates us from Him. The penalty for sin is eternal death. We cannot be good enough on our own to earn eternal life.
- “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
- “For the wages of sin is death…”, (Romans 6:23a)
God’s Provision ~ Jesus
Jesus is God’s bridge to us; He paid the price for our sin. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, took our place by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again so we could be reconciled with God.
- “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
- “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b)
God’s Promise ~ Heaven
God promises that when we trust in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross, we receive the free gift of eternal life. God places us into His family, ensuring we will know Him forever in heaven.
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
A Prayer for Salvation
Dear God,
I know that I am a sinner and that my sin separates me from You, keeping me from entering heaven. I understand it condemns me to spend eternity in hell. I now believe that Jesus paid the price to reconcile me to You, taking my place by dying on the cross for my sins and rising from the dead to give me eternal life.
I now trust in Jesus alone to save me—not my own good works, and not anyone or anything else. I turn from my sin and accept Your forgiveness. Your Word promises that when I do this, I receive the free gift of eternal life. I ask You to empower me by Your Spirit to live my life for You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
