These answers, or others similar to them, will not gain us entrance into Heaven because we're
using our human assessment of what "good" is. God is completely sinless, totally perfect
(Romans 3:10), something that we as humans can never attain on our own. That creates a gap
that keeps us from God because our sinfulness could not fellowship with perfection. God is holy
and righteous; therefore, He cannot let sin go unpunished. He loves us so much that He sent His
Beloved Son, who was sinless, to die on the cross to take the penalty for our sins. "For God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not
perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Salvation is a free gift, but as with any gift it must be accepted to become your gift. It is a
personal decision. No one else can make it for you. There is no one too bad to be saved, and no
one too good that he or she need not be saved. First, you need to recognize and admit your
sinfulness. Then, you must believe that Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection was the full
and sole payment for your sins. If you're ready to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and
Savior you can pray a prayer something like this:
Dear God,
I'm a sinner and my sin deserves judgment, but I need and want mercy. I know that You love
me. I know that You want to save me. Jesus, You died to save me and You promised to save me.
I do trust You. I open my heart and receive You today as my Lord and Savior. Forgive my sin.
Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Thank You for Your shed blood on Calvary. Thank You
that You died in my place. I don't look for a sign. I don't look for a feeling. I stand on Your Word.
Now Lord Jesus begin to make me the person You want me to be. Help me never to be
ashamed of You and give me the courage to make it public.
In His precious Name,
Amen.
Please understand it isn't just about reciting a prayer and then going on with your life as usual.
This prayer can save you from your sins, but it must be accompanied by a heart change—a deep
desire to make Christ the Lord of your life which includes living in a way pleasing to Him and not
fulfilling your own selfish desires. It will involve lifestyle changes, reading the Bible, going to a
solid Bible believing and teaching church, changing your life priorities, etc.
Your life will be different. These actions will not do anything to save you, Jesus fully
accomplished that on the cross, but they will be natural extensions of your newfound love for
and devotion to Jesus Christ. You are not saved by faith AND works, you are saved by faith THAT
works. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the
gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). I cannot work
my soul to save, that work my Lord has done, but I will work like any slave for my love of God's
own Son.
I would be grossly remiss and unfair if I didn't also share the "rest of reality." Since we will all
exist for eternity, if you do not choose Christ and spend eternity in Heaven with Him, the other