On August 17, 2008, a 22 year old friend of mine, Gully Bena, lost a two year battle with cancer. As he neared the end his body was so full of tumors that no treatment was of any use. His last day he was so weak he could barely speak and couldn't move at all. He had been unconscious most of the day but early in the evening his eyes suddenly came open, he sat up in bed and raised his arms to the ceiling and cried out, "Praise the Lord." Then his body fell lifeless back on the bed.
How could a young man robbed of his entire life by an insidious, cruelly painful disease, enter eternity with praise to God on his lips? He could do it because one day he had met the Savior, Jesus Christ. He knew that when his affliction was over he would be carried by angels to heaven and into the loving arms of Jesus.
My friend, you can know this Jesus too, and you can know that you are on your way to heaven. The Bible says in I John 5:13 that it was written that you might know that you have eternal life. John also wrote in his Gospel, 3:16:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."
You can have this eternal life if you will but simply believe and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
First, you need to realize that you are a sinner. The Bible tells us, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23.
Second, understand that sin comes with a price. "For the wages of sin is death." - Romans 6:23. We all die because of sin, and without Christ, we will all die and go to an eternal punishment in hell. But Romans 6:23 doesn't end there. It continues to tell us there is an answer for our sin. "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He shed His blood to wash our sins away, and then He rose from the grave bodily to prove He alone has the power to give us eternal life. He paid that price because of His great love for you and me. And because of His love He offers salvation free to all who will receive it.
Third, you need to believe and confess Christ in order to be saved. "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:9, 10.
Fourth, if you believe what Christ has done for you, all you need to do is ask Him to come into you heart and save you. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13.
Jesus said in John 6:37 that He would not turn anyone away who calls on Him. Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart now? If you will pray a simple prayer from the sincerity of your heart He will save you. Here is an example of a prayer you can pray. The words are not magical, just an example for you to follow. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart, or if you are not sure you are saved, why not pray this prayer now?
Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus Christ is God the Son, that He was born of the virgin, Mary, that He died on the cross for my sins, and that He rose from the grave. I now repent of my sins and receive Jesus as my only Savior. Please forgive my sins, come into my heart and save me, and give me eternal life as you have promised. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer and mean it from your heart, you have been saved. You have been born again and now are on your way to heaven. You cannot lose this gift. Jesus said in John 10:28, "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither can any man pluck them out of my hand."
Eternal life is just that, eternal life. By trusting in Christ you will one day meet Him in heaven just as my friend Gully did. God bless you.
