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Surely, knowing where you will be after you die is the most important thing you will ever need to be sure of. And this is the short, simple answer for how to get to heaven: Jesus. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Does that answer seem too simple? In that case, let's look at the long answer below (The answer is still simple of course, and it's still Jesus; but it may be helpful to include some additional information and background).
Steps
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1Identify a trustworthy source of information. Let's say you were trying to become a citizen of a foreign country. Which of the following would give you more assurance?
- The king of that country promising that you would be granted citizenship.
- A citizen of your own country promising that you would be granted citizenship (in the country to which they have never been).
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3Know what the problem is. Why wouldn't you go to heaven? You must first recognize that your default condition will prevent you from being accepted into heaven. You, as a human being, are infected with a spiritual disease (as all humans are—other than Jesus). This disease is called "sin”. All the bad things you do and think are symptoms of this deadly disease.[4] Unless dealt with, sin disqualifies us for heaven and separates us from God.[3]
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4Know what the solution is. God is holy and just, but He is also loving. God wants us to go to heaven, to be with Him. He also knows about our disease of sin that has separated us from Him.[5] Because of God's love, He chose to send Jesus to earth, in order to save us.[6] Jesus lived a perfect life and then took the death penalty on our behalf (because the punishment for sin is death). By doing this, God made it possible for sinful humans to be reconciled with Himself. In fact, this is the only way we can be reconciled with God.[7]
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5Accept the solution. God has provided the way for us to be reconciled with Himself, through Jesus' death on our behalf. However, He does not force us to be reconciled; rather, He allows us to make the choice.[8] "But to all who did receive him [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," (John 1:12) If you want to put your trust in Jesus and return to God, then you can simply tell Him so.[9] Not sure what to say? God knows your heart; just be honest with Him and ask Him for help. You could tell Him something along the lines of: "God, I know I'm a sinner. But I read that You love me and sent Jesus to pay for my sin. I choose to trust in Jesus. Please come and take Your rightful place as King in my life." And there you have it, how to be reconciled with God, who is in heaven. Jesus, in speaking to the Father, said, "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Community Q&A
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QuestionIf I have used the phrase "Oh My God" so many times in my daily life, can I still be forgiven and go to Heaven?
AcrocanthosaurusCommunity AnswerAbsolutely. God forgives all sins, but that's not a free pass to do whatever you want, though. After you ask for forgiveness, ask God to give you the strength to resist saying it. -
QuestionIs it possible to live sinless after being baptised and accepting Jesus as my lord and savior?
Community AnswerNo. Every single Christian on earth commits sin. Just do your best every day and pray for the strength to do better. -
QuestionCan I confess while praying?
Community AnswerCertainly. You can confess something bad you've done while praying. God wants you to talk to Him. Just tell Him what's on your mind and what's bugging you. -
QuestionI recently converted, but my family are atheists. Can I repent for them? I don't want them to go to Hell.
Community AnswerThat's not possible, sadly. No one can repent for other people. Those people who do not believe have to choose their path, it has to be up to them. However, you can pray for them, ask for people at church to pray for their hearts to change. -
QuestionIs "OMG" a bad phrase? I've tried telling my friends that it is, but they won't listen.Community AnswerOMG is "Oh My God." The Bible says that taking the Lord's name in vain is blasphemy and a sin, so you are correct. The only exception would be in using "OMG" when speaking directly to the Lord, which I assume your friends are not doing.
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QuestionIs God trying to get you to heaven or is he not?
Nic lasellCommunity AnswerGod wants the best for you, which means he wants you to come to heaven. This doesn't mean you have to. It's your choice to open your heart to Him, and if you truly do, He will surely take action. -
QuestionI have a hearing problem and I am a believer, when is my miracle coming to me? The hearing loss is getting worse while I am getting older.
JoshCommunity AnswerSometimes God has a better plan beyond what we can see. Maybe you should just wait and see what God has in store for you. -
QuestionWill I still go to heaven if I am a Christian and love Jesus, but I haven't been baptized?
Community AnswerYes, but it is good to be baptized some time in life. It is a requirement in a way, but if you are a Christian, you will go to heaven. -
QuestionIf I got baptized twice, can I still go to heaven?TheladyorthetigerCommunity AnswerYes. God will always forgive you and never separate you from His love.
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QuestionHow do I know I am in the right with God?Community AnswerGod has a plan for all. Just wait, do not sin, and pray. He who believes receives his passage into heaven.
Warnings
- Whether you know it or not, you have an enemy who desires your harm. This enemy seeks to keep people from being saved. His name is the devil, or satan. The Bible tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” And as you may already know, we also have 2 enemies in addition to the devil: our own sinful nature, and the corrupt world-system we live in. But if Jesus is in your life, don’t let all this overwhelm you with fear, for “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”[16]Thanks!
- If you have placed your trust in Jesus, there will inevitably be times when you don’t “feel” saved. When that happens, remember that the firm foundation of your faith is Jesus, not your feelings. Feelings are frequently fickle, Jesus is unchanging. You can fix your eyes on Jesus and ask Him to grant you a new heart with new desires, and to help you grow in holiness and be more like Christ. You can ask for His help to bravely proclaim the good news that you have come to know. Walk by faith, not by sight![17]Thanks!
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References
- ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16%3B+psalm+12%3A6%2C+18%3A30%3B+proverbs+30%3A5%3B+2+Peter+1%3A20-21%3B+Romans+11%3A2%3B+1+Timothy+5%3A18%3B+2+Peter+3%3A15-16&version=NASB
- ↑ God is a just judge: Acts 10:42, 17:31; Psalm 9:8, 96:13, 10:17-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12; Revelation 20:10-15.
- ↑ 3.03.13.2Anyone who dwells with God must be righteous: Leviticus 19:1-2; Psalm 5:4, 24:3-6.
- ↑ 4.04.14.2The problem of sin: Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:10, 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:20,29; Romans 6:23; Mark 7:14-23; John 3:3.
- ↑ 5.05.1Attributes of God: Isaiah 6:1-8; Exodus 34:5-7; Ezekiel 33:10-11; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
- ↑ John 3:16
- ↑ 7.07.1Our sin and Christ’s righteousness: 1 Peter 1:18-19; Isaiah 53:4-12; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 14:6; Galatians 2:16,21; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Acts 4:12.
- ↑ 8.08.1God’s offer of reconciliation and our response: 1 Timothy 2:3-6; John 1:9-12, 3:17-21; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7; John 14:6; Revelation 3:20.
- ↑ Simply tell God about your desire for salvation: Romans 10:12-13; Luke 11:5-13; 1 John 5:14-15.
- ↑ Asking God to strengthen your faith: Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 7:9-11; 1 John 5:13-15.
- ↑ Genuine faith is proved by your actions, not just your words: James 2:18-26; Hebrews 11:17-19.
- ↑ 2 Corinthians 13:5
- ↑ 13.013.1God’s process of changing us: Philippians 3:12-14, 2:12-13, 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 1:5-2:11, 3:1-9,23; Romans 6:1-23.
- ↑ God’s commandments: Deuteronomy 6:5; leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:34-40; James 2:10-12.
- ↑ Repentance: definition, examples of the inward-outward definition.
- ↑ Our enemy the devil, our sinful self and the corrupt world system; and the victory over them through Jesus: 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; Luke 8:11-12; Matthew 13:19; James 4:7-10; Romans 6:11-14; Colossians 2:6-15, 3:3-17; James 4:4-6; 1 John 2:15-17; John 17:9-26; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 5:4-5; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:28-39; Revelation 12:9-11; John 16:33.
- ↑ Faith in Jesus, not your feelings: 1 Peter 2:6; Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:19-23; Proverbs 3:5-7; Hebrews 13:8, 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:7.
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