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I once assumed the way to get to heaven and avoid going to hell was by following the rules of my church and by believing that Jesus died for my sins. I mistakenly held to the thought that agreeing with Biblical facts was faith and that my efforts to do good were necessary for salvation. Such an understanding is far from what the Bible says about faith and good works.

Even demons believe and agree with the facts about God. They have no doubts whatsoever that God exists and that Jesus died to redeem sinners. So if you count your unwavering agreement with the facts as faith, you have a faith no different than demons. According to God’s Word, real faith not only agrees with the facts, but also trusts in the facts presented in Scripture.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19

You become a Christian, not by doing something for God, but by trusting what God has done for you. 

Being born into a Christian home does not make you a Christian. Neither do you become a Christian by baptism or by joining a church. You may be deeply religious; you may be involved in ministry and other good works—and still not be good enough to get into heaven.

The very heart of the Gospel is what God has done for us through the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sins. To become a Christian and enter heaven, you must receive the free gift of eternal life by accepting and trusting that the death of Jesus was sufficient payment for your sins. You must fully trust Him alone and His offer of salvation as a free gift. You must trust these truths in order to be saved from eternal damnation in hell.

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

You might wonder how you can accept such a great and marvelous gift without any effort of your own, knowing that you are unworthy to receive it. But it is an abomination to God if you try to earn what was already purchased with the precious blood of Jesus. It is a grievous insult to God to try to add your efforts to the work that was done by Jesus on the cross. God views our efforts as filthy, because in effect, we attack His plan to save us as being insufficient. The gift is only available if you receive it freely.

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:21

You must accept that you are a sinner

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

You must accept that as a sinner you owe a penalty

For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Ezekiel 18:4

You must accept that Jesus paid your debt

He hath made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

You must trust that Jesus was your substitute

To be a Christian, you must believe you are a sinner; that as a sinner you owe a penalty, and that Jesus Christ died in your place to cover the debt you owe. It means that you will completely trust Christ to get you to Heaven apart from any efforts of your own. He paid a debt He did not owe—you owe a debt you can never pay.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31

For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Faith that is real believes and trusts that Jesus paid sin’s penalty in full. Faith that is real trusts that Jesus wants to give us His righteousness in exchange for our sin.

Becoming a Christian demands that there is a moment in life when you understand your need for a Savior and act upon that need by trusting Jesus and accepting the free gift of eternal life.

Jesus provides the only salvation from sin and hell. The choice to accept or ignore His marvelous gift is yours. Refusing or ignoring the offer will result in an eternity of regret. Eternity is a long time to be wrong! Choose wisely.

Trust Jesus today

No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Receive God’s pardon and free gift of salvation. Become a Christian today!

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