Do you know if you are going to heaven?

I was blessed to ask this question of my dying mother last summer. She considered herself a good person and she was a devout church attendee. I tenderly held her hand, as she lay in her hospital bed and asked, “do you know if you are going to heaven?” She rocked her head and upper body from side to side as she thought for a moment then tentatively replied, “I think so.”

My mother was unsure of her eternal fate. This woman spent eighty-seven years never missing church on Sunday and calling herself a believer. She pressed her family to do the same and openly judged them for every behavior she deemed unholy or sinful. Yet, she was uncertain of her destiny. She must have been terrified lying in her hospital bed knowing the end was inevitable and near.

Do you want what my mother did not have?

Do you want security in knowing you are going to heaven? All of us can have absolute assurance of life in heaven after our earthly death. To quote a children's Sunday school song, "How do I know? The Bible tells me so.” Not only will faithful believers live in heaven but they will have their own dwelling place. The Bible writes of Jesus instructing His believers, "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Do not think that you are unworthy. Heaven is not a destination reserved for those who appear righteous and make a practice of religion. In fact, when Jesus was questioned about hanging out with sinners He responded with the following; "It is not those who are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Mark 2:17.

Jesus bids, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. You ask, "How can I come to Jesus and receive eternal life in heaven with God the Father?"

1. “Repent and believe in the good news!” Mark 1:15.

• In other words, Jesus encourages all to confess with sincere remorse their wrongdoings and believe in the Word of God, which is found in the Holy Bible.

2. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.

• Simply restated. Receive Jesus into your heart and proclaim that Jesus is the Leader of your life. Further, accept that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He was raised from the dead.

If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your wrongdoing, have declared Jesus to be the Leader of your life, and believe God raised Jesus from the dead, then you have been saved for all eternity. You can have the confidence and security of knowing you will spend your life after physical death in heaven with God the Father and Jesus His Son.

The next step is to find and attend a Bible-believing Bible-teaching church in your area.

You are welcome to email me, and I will help you with your search for a church family.

Even if you haven’t made this declaration, feel free to email me for help finding a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church.

Oh, what comfort can be had knowing a loved one has passed on to live in heaven forevermore. Yes, there will be earthly pain and our loved ones will be terribly missed. But peace comes in knowing they are with Jesus and one glorious day we will all be together.