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How to Know Jesus

Have you come to a place in your life that you know for certain you have eternal life and will go to heaven when you die?
Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" What would you say?

God’s Purpose

God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible states it this way: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God’s purpose is that we have eternal life.

• God gives eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23).
• We can live a full and meaningful life right now (John 10:10).
• We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven (John 14:3).

Our Need

As we search for meaning in life, we discover our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.

• We are all sinners by nature and by choice: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
• We cannot save ourselves. "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• We deserve death and hell. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

God’s Provision

God is holy and just and must punish sin. Yet He loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

• Jesus is God and became man (John 1:1, 14).
• Jesus died for us on the cross (1 Peter 3:18).
• Jesus was resurrected (arose) from the dead and is alive today (Romans 4:25 and 6:9-10).

Our Response

The only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

• We must repent of our sin. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out" (Acts 3:19).
• Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin (Acts 26:20).
• Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning to God through Jesus.
• We must place our faith in Jesus. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
• Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus (James 2:19).
• Faith is trusting in Jesus (Romans 10:11).
• We must surrender to Jesus as Lord. "That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:9-10).
• Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus (Matthew 7:21).
• Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control of our lives.

My Commitment

Giving Jesus control is something each person must do for himself or herself. No one else can make this decision for you. Jesus says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Does what you have been reading make sense to you?

Is there any reason you would not be willing to receive God’s gift of eternal life?

Are you willing to turn from your sin, place your faith in Jesus, and give Him control of your life right now?

If you are willing to receive Jesus into your life now, you can invite Him in by prayer. You may use the following prayer or a similar one using your own words:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and died to forgive me of my sins. I know I have sinned. I ask You to forgive me. I turn from my sins, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. I want to live for You the rest of my life. Amen."