The Bible says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life....” (1 John 5:13). God wants us all to know that we can go to Heaven, but if we expect to get there, we must go His way.
WE MUST BELIEVE AND ACCEPT FOUR SPIRITUAL TRUTHS
1) The Fact of Sin
God’s Word teaches we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Mom never taught us how to lie, yet even as a child, you, by nature, know how. You must be willing to admit to God, “I am guilty of sin. No one made me do it; I chose to sin.” The fact is you are a sinner.
2) The Consequence of Sin
Because of our sins, we owe God. God has declared the price of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). That death is in a place called Hell. A place of torment in eternal fire. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
3) The Remedy of Sin
Good works cannot earn us a position in Heaven. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Remember, the price that must be paid for sin is death. When Jesus died on the cross, He was paying your sin debt. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not stay in the grave; He rose again after three days, conquering death and Hell. His resurrection proved He has the power to forgive sin. Jesus paid sin’s price and purchased God’s gift of eternal life for us. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).
4) Your Individual Response to God / to the Gospel
Now that you understand God’s plan for forgiveness and for salvation, He wants you to respond to Him. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The response that God demands is one of repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus. Call out in prayer admitting you are guilty and deserving of Hell, asking for forgiveness of sin. You must trust that Jesus, as the Son of God died on the cross, was buried and rose again, paying your sin debt and is your only hope of Heaven.
GOD’S RESPONSE TO YOU
When you call upon Jesus, trusting Him for salvation, the Bible says God promised to save you. Saved from sin’s penalty of Hell, and you are made new. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God’s desire is for you to turn from living a life of sin and begin to live a new life. Jesus started the church during His personal ministry. The church that gave you this tract can help you grow as a new believer. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Begin to read your Bible daily, get baptized, and join a Bible-believing Baptist church. It is God’s plan and desire for you.
