
I recently saw an image on facebook that I did not want to see.
The image was graphic, heartbreaking, and extremely thought provoking. The image pictured several men only moments before they were brutally put to death by the wicked hands of ISIS.
When I saw that picture my mind went wild.
What if I were in their shoes? What if I were being put to death? Would I be ready? Although I didn’t want to see that image of those men preparing for death, I’m grateful I did.
That image was a huge reminder of how short and shockingly fast life truly is.
I realize this blog post is a little out of the ordinary from our typical Girl Defined topics. It’s not about guys, romance, modesty, marriage or any of the “juicy” topics we as girls LOVE to talk about. But trust me, this is the one topic that you can’t afford to ignore.
It’s the only topic that will truly matter 100 million years from today.
The Bible says, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).
In a nutshell that verse is saying “LIFE IS REALLY SHORT!”
Sadly, most of us hear that verse and then continue on with our lives like it doesn’t mean what it says.
I don’t know about you, but I often feel like I will be young forever. I feel like my life on earth will never really end. I feel like there will always be time to accomplish those “big” things for God in the future.
I get so busy living in the moment that I forget “life is really short” and my time on earth is ticking.
Your life is really short and your time on earth is ticking.
Once your allotted time is gone, you will be sent into eternity forever and ever and ever. You will never be able to take back a single minute from your time on earth.
If you trusted Christ as your Savior you will spend eternity in Heaven. If you did not trust in Christ as your personal Savior you will spend eternity in perpetual torture and torment in Hell.
Not a popular thought. Not a popular topic. But it’s reality. No one can escape it.
Imagine that you are one of those men in the picture I saw on facebook. Your life is only seconds away from ending. You are about to launch into eternity forever and ever.
Can you say with 100% surety and confidence that you will spend forever in Heaven?
If your answer is “Yes!” I would love to read your testimony. Please feel free to comment below and share how you know (without a doubt) that if you were to die today you would spend eternity in heaven. I would also HIGHLY encourage you to listen to this incredible message by Francis Chan and share your thoughts on it below.
If your answer is “No!” or “I’m not sure…” I have some really great news for you! The answer to your confusion or lack of surety is clearly laid out in the Bible and will show you exactly what it takes to get to a place of 100% confidence.
How can I know for sure that I will go to heaven when I die?
1. No one is good enough to get to heaven on their own.
The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That means no one is perfect. All of of us have sinned. All of us have fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
If you were to stand before God at the pearly gates of Heaven He would say, “I’m sorry, only perfect people are allowed into heaven and you are not perfect.” You would then be cast into Hell because of your sin. The Bible makes it very clear that ALL (that means everyone) have fallen short of perfection.
2. The punishment for your sin is death.
Sadly, the news gets worse before it gets better. In Romans 6:23a it says, “For the wages of sin is death…”
The punishment for your sin is death. Someone has to die for your sins. The Bible makes it very clear that there is a punishment for sin and no one can escape that punishment.
3. Someone loved you and took your place.
This is where the AMAZING news comes into play. This is where we find out how to escape the punishment of eternity in Hell. This is where we find out the truth of the gospel and understand exactly what it takes to get into Heaven.
John 3:16-17 explains the truth perfectly.
This verse is the reason I have 100% confidence in my salvation.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Someone had to pay the price for sin. Jesus Christ came down to earth, lived a perfect life, gave up His life on the cross for you and me and rose from the grave three days later.
He loved you soooo much that He sacrificed himself on the cross and took your punishment for you. Because of Him you now have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
4. Salvation is a FREE gift.
Salvation isn’t complicated. It’s not hard to understand. It’s not a list of rules, a set of good works to accomplish, or a certain life you have to live. Salvation is a gift and it’s completely free.
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).
5. The choice is yours.
If you are unsure of your salvation, now is the time to change that. You are not guaranteed another day. You could close your eyes tonight and never wake up again. You could get in a serious car accident and die. You are not guaranteed another minute.
Don’t put this decision off any longer. You have the opportunity right now to decide if you will pay for your own punishment and spend eternity in Hell, or if you will accept Jesus’ loving sacrifice for your sin on the cross.
He payed the price. He is offering you salvation. You have to make the choice.
The Bible says very plainly and clearly, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31).
That’s it. That’s all it takes.
You are making the choice to put your trust in Jesus Christ and allowing Him to take the punishment for you. It’s a personal choice and one only you can make.
Are you ready to take that step?
If you are reading this blog and saying, “yes! I believe. I want to make Jesus Christ my personal Savior. I trust in Him. I realize I’m a sinner and I need a savior.” I want to encourage you to stop and make today the day of your Salvation.
A great way to acknowledge Jesus as your Savior is by praying and verbalizing your need and desire for Jesus Christ.
Let’s talk some more…
If today is the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior, I would love to hear about it! You can comment below or e-mail me. If you have any questions please ask in the comments or e-mail.
I so look forward to hearing from you!