STEP 1. DO YOU KNOW?

Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven?

If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what would you say? You don’t know? Then we have the best news you could ever hear!

The few minutes it will take you to read these steps to life may be the most important time you will ever spend. Did you know that the Bible tells how you can know for sure that you have eternal life and will go to be with God in Heaven?

The Bible says there are five things you need to know about eternal life:

“These things I have written unto you . . . that you may know that you have eternal life . . .” (1 John 5:13)

STEP 2. GRACE

The Bible says, “ . . . the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Because Heaven is a gift, like any other genuine gift, it is not earned or deserved.

No amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in Heaven for you.

“For by grace are you 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).

WHY is it that no one can earn his way to Heaven? Because . . .

STEP 3. MAN

Man is a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Sin is transgressing God’s law and includes such things as lying, lust, cheating, deceit, evil thoughts, immoral behavior, and more.

Because of this, man cannot save himself. If you wanted to save yourself by good deeds, do you know how good you would have to be?

“Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

With such a high standard, no one can save himself.

However, in spite of our sin...

STEP 4. GOD

God is merciful, and therefore doesn’t want to punish us.

This is because“ . . . God is love” (1 John 4:8). And He says, “ . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

But the same Bible which tells us that God loves us, also tells us that God is just and therefore must punish sin. He says “. . . (I) will by no means clear the guilty . . .” (Exodus 34:7). And “. . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

We have a problem. God solved this problem for us in the Person of Jesus Christ.

STEP 5. CHRIST

Who is He? The Bible tells us clearly that He is the infinite God-Man.

“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus). . . and the Word (Jesus) was God. And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . .” (John 1:1,14).

Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a sinless life, but while on earth, what did he do? He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place for us in Heaven.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity (sin) of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Jesus Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross and now offers you eternal life (Heaven) as a free gift.

This gift is received by faith.

STEP 6. FAITH

Many people mistake two things for saving faith:

Saving faith is not mere head knowledge, like believing certain historical facts. The Bible says that the devil believes there is one God, so believing that there is one God is not saving faith.

Saving faith is also not mere temporal faith, that is, trusting God for temporary crises such as financial, family, or physical needs. Now these are good, and you should trust Christ for these, but they are not saving faith!

Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting upon Christ alone and what He has done rather than in what you or I have done to get us into Heaven.

“. . . Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . .” (Acts 16:31).

The question that God is asking you now is would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?

STEP 7. COMMITMENT

Because this is such an important matter let’s clarify just what it involves.

It means that you need to:

• Transfer your trust
  From what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on His cross.

• Accept Christ as Savior
  Open the “door” to your heart and invite Him in.

  He says:  “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to Him . . . .” (Revelation 3:20)

• Receive Jesus Christ as Lord
  Give Him the “driver’s seat” and “controls” of your life, not the “back seat.”

• Repent
  Be willing to turn from anything that is not pleasing to Him. He will reveal His will to you as you grow in your relationship with Him.

Now, if this is what you really want, you can go to God in prayer right where you are. You can receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ right now.

“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:10,13).

If you want to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, then call on Him asking Him for this gift right now. Here’s a suggested prayer:

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But You loved me so You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me. I now trust in You alone for eternal life and repent of my sin. Please take control as Lord of my life. Thank you so much!”

If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at what Jesus promises to those who believe in Him:“. . . I say unto you, he that believes on Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).

STEP 8. WELCOME TO GOD’S FAMILY!

If you have truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from your sins, placed your trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, and received the gift of eternal life you are now a child of God! Forever!

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”(John 1:12).

Today is your spiritual birthday—a day you will always want to remember! The Bible speaks of those who receive eternal life in these words:

“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).

If you have made a decision to follow Christ, we would love to celebrate and encourage you in this step.  Please fill out this form so one of our Pastors can follow-up with you.

STEP 9. SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Just as a newborn baby grows physically, in a similar way you can grow spiritually, by taking the following steps:

Read the Bible

Starting with the Gospel of John, read a chapter each day. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word (of God), that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

Pray

Spend time each day talking with God. “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

Worship

Regularly attend a church that honors Jesus Christ and teaches you the Bible. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). “God is a Spirit:  and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Fellowship

Join with Christians who will help you grow in faith. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us:  and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Witness

Tell others what Jesus Christ means to you! “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and you shall be witnesses unto Me . . .” (Acts 1:8).

Used with permission from Evangelism Explosion.

To better understand what this step in your spiritual journey looks like we invite you to take our Connections Class at River Oak Grace.  This class is designed to encourage your in your spiritual journey and help you understand what it looks like to take another step in your faith.  To find out more about the Connections Class simply provide your information and one of our pastors will follow up with you.  We’re excited to partner with you in your walk with Christ.