Dear Uncertain,

You may have just asked life’s most important question. God’s Word has the best answer for you! Please get out your Bible and ask the Spirit to give you special understanding for the texts listed below.

You can be sure of three things: (1) Jesus wants you to be in heaven (2 Peter 3:9, 13-14); (2) His Word tells you exactly how to get there (Acts 4:12); (3) God wants you to be certain of your salvation (I John 5:13).

The moment you accept Jesus as your Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins, and believe that He has died in your place (Romans 6:23), His righteousness (holiness and right-doing) covers you. (I John 1:7) At that moment God looks at you like you never sinned, like you never committed a wrong act! You are His child, and you have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Every day we can pray something like this: “Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross, taking the punishment that should have been mine. I love you so much. Please help me be more like You.” When we do this sincerely, all of heaven celebrates our adoption into God’s family! (John 1:12) And for the rest of our lives, Jesus helps us become more like Him. (Philippians 1:6)

Our salvation—our ticket to heaven, so to speak—is a gift from God. We can never, ever earn it. (Ephesians 2:8-9). But we can spend the rest of our lives showing our thanks to Jesus’ amazing grace by living in grateful obedience to His will (John 14:15.)

Then, when Jesus returns to take His family to heaven, we will say with confidence, “This is my God. I have waited for Him, and He will save me.” (Isaiah 25:9)