Where will you spend eternity?

“it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe … we preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:21b, 23b)

Where will you spend eternity? This is the most important question that you will ever consider. What will happen when you die? Would you go to heaven? Are you saved? If you have never believed that you are saved forever through faith alone in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ or have trusted in something else, you are not saved.

The word of God, the Holy Bible, says that you can know that you are saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“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 5:13a)

1. To understand this good news (the gospel) you must understand the bad news:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)

Sin is breaking God’s law. If you have ever lied, stolen anything, cheated someone, cursed, used God’s or Jesus’ name in cursing, hated anyone, disobeyed your parents, believed or supported the lie of evolution, coveted someone’s spouse, are married and lusted after someone not your spouse, committed adultery, fornication or murder, you have sinned. Every thought, word, and deed that breaks God’s law is sin.

God is holy and will punish sin by everlasting separation from God in the lake of fire.

“For the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23a)

“it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement” (Heb 9:27b)

“death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:14b)

“unbelieving … and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire” (Rev 21:8b)

Until all your sins are forgiven by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are under God’s damnation.

2. The good news (the gospel) is that Jesus Christ loved us so much that He was crucified to pay for all our sins by His shed blood on the cross. He then rose from the dead. Here is the declaration of the gospel of Christ from the word of God.

“I declare unto you the gospel .. By which also ye are saved … how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:1-4)

Instead of God pouring out His just wrath on us sinners, the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, placed our sins on Him, and poured out His wrath on His own Son on the cross. Christ is our substitute who bore our sins. Christ did what we cannot do. The shed blood of Jesus Christ is the atonement for our sins.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24a)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5:21)

“without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb 9:22b)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8)

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph 1:7a)

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Rom 3:25a)

“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev 1:5)

“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:17b)

You must believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, Creator, the Son of God. Referring to Jesus Christ, the word of God says:

“Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28b)

“God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16b)

“by him were all things created” (Col 1:16b)

“the Almighty” (Rev 1:8)

“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31b)

“Jesus is the Lord” (1 Cor 12:3)

“the Saviour” (Phil 3:20b)

Jesus said, “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24b)

You must believe that you have sinned and can never be good enough or do anything to earn salvation.

“There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10b)

“there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18b)

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Cor 7:10a)

Salvation is a gift given freely by the grace of God through faith alone in Jesus Christ. You cannot earn or work for a gift else it is not a gift. Good works, sacraments, observing days, church membership or attendance, baptism, religious rituals will not help you. You must repent from trusting in these or any other works. Trust only in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood as the complete, finished and only payment for all your sins and God will forgive all your sins and count toward you the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ as a gift. That is the only righteousness that can save anyone.

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe” (Rom 3:22a)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom 4:5)

“the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Heb 6:1)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works …” (Eph 2:8-9)

“the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23b)

“But if it be of works, then it is no more grace” (Rom 11:6b)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5a)

You must repent of belief in any other God, gods, idols and false religions.

“God … commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30b)

You must believe that there is no other way to salvation.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6b)

“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Heb 10:11)

But Jesus Christ “offered one sacrifice for sins for ever” (Heb 10:12b)

The only way to be saved is to believe that you are saved forever just through faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood as the complete payment for all your sins.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31b)

“whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15b)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18a)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:15b)

“the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16b)

Jesus, who never sinned, was beaten, mocked, spat upon, and the hairs of His beard pulled out. They put a crown of thorns on Him and beat it onto His head. His back was scourged repeatedly, tearing open His flesh. He carried a rough wooden cross to Calvary. They drove metal spikes into both of Christ’s hands and feet, crushing bone and into nerve tissue. Jesus then hung on that torturous cross for six hours. Our sins cost Christ that punishment. Yet Jesus endured all that unto death to shed His blood as payment for all your sins because of how much He loves you. Now picture in your mind, Christ on the cross being crucified. Jesus out of love is paying for all your sins, every sinful thought, word and deed. Maybe you have believed many lies and may have considered Christ your enemy. But there is Christ loving you more than anyone has ever loved you There is nothing that you can do to be saved, any attempt is to reject Christ crucified. Now just believe and be saved. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves His sacrifice was accepted by God.

“he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa 53:5)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb 12:2a)

Any attempt to earn salvation through works or merit is to mock and despise His great sacrifice.

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16a)

As Christ died on the cross He declared to the world and for all time, “It is finished” (John 19:30b). Noting can be added to the finished work of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross.

There are many that believe or teach that a person can lose salvation. This is a false teaching. Jesus Christ is not a liar, or a bungler or makes mistakes. Paul wrote this about Christ:

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25b) So the real Jesus Christ doesn’t lose the saved.

Paul wrote about the gospel:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16a). So, once a person believes the gospel of Christ, the power of God ensures salvation. When does the power of Good fail?

The Lord Jesus Christ said: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb 13:5b). So, if a person lost salvation, died, and went to hell, Jesus would have to be there forever with them. Christ said:

“My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27a) and “they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:5b)

Jesus Christ the Lord also said the following, listen to His voice:

“That whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have eternal life.” (John 3:15)

“And I give unto them eternal life; and THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 11;28)

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me SHALL NEVER DIE. Believest thou this?” (John 11:26)

Obviously once saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, a person is saved forever. There are many other verses presented here and in scripture that prove this. Listen to Jesus Christ and stop listening to the voice of strangers, aka, false teachers. Believing that you can lose salvation is just a works-based salvation in disguise. It is “another gospel” and “another Jesus”. You did nothing to get saved and there is nothing that you need to do to keep it. God does it all.

Salvation is guaranteed forever the moment you trust in Christ, nothing can take it away. Eternal life with God is beyond our imaginations. Think of the happiest moment you ever had. Well, it is way beyond that and forever.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (2 Cor 2:9)

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev 21:4)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news ever and it is about the greatest love ever.

“to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Eph 3:19)

If you do not believe the gospel of Christ before you die, then it will be too late. You will be judged by God and realize the horror of eternal separation from God in hell which is everlasting torment. Please understand that you could die any moment. I would hate that you or any that you know and love should have that happen to them or you. I love you too much to not warn you. Please, I beg you to consider salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Salvation is a one-time event received through faith alone in the risen Lord Jesus Christ crucified for our sins.

Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7b)

3. To be saved, believe that you have sinned and are justly under God’s damnation (ungodly). Until you believe you are damned and need Christ as your Saviour, you cannot be saved. Do not trust in any merit of your own, works, or any other way. Now just believe and trust in Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour. Believe in who He is – God Almighty, the Son of God, and the only Saviour. Believe in what Christ did for you - completely paid for all your sins by shedding His holy blood on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead. Now believe and trust in what Jesus has promised you – everlasting life guaranteed forever through faith in Him.

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

If you have believed in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ and trusted in His total payment for all your sins by His shed blood, you are saved forever and cannot lose your salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ is God and the Almighty Saviour, never lost anyone who trusted in Him, and would never lie.

“him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37b)

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28b)

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:14)

“having forgiven you all trespasses” (Col 2:13b)

“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5b)

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phi 1:6)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1)

Now that you are saved, tell others the gospel of Christ so that they too can be saved (Rom 1:16, 1 Cor 15:1-4, Acts 16:30-31, Rom 3:25, Eph 1:13, 2:8-9).

Read the Holy Bible as often as possible. It is the word of God. It is how God communicates to us and we learn God’s ways and the truth. Concentrate on the Gospel of John, the later part of the Acts of the apostles (9-28) and especially Paul’s letters (Romans through Philemon). Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13b) and his letters preach, declare and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:15-16, 1 Cor 15:1-4, Phil 1:17, Rom 15:16, 2 Tim 4:17). Paul’s letters are the doctrine for the saved Gentiles in this age of grace and are the key to understanding the rest of scripture (2 Tim 2:7, 2 Peter 3:15-16). Note, Romans is the preaching of the gospel of Christ. All quotes and scripture references are from the King James Bible – the word of God in English.