How Can You Be Sure?

How Can You Be Sure?

This is going to sound morbid, but as a pastor, I meet a lot of people who are dealing with the death. And one question usually rises to the top of their list: How can I know whether I’ll go to Heaven when I die? Will the mess of my life keep me out? Maybe you’re dealing with those questions today. If you read on, you’ll discover that you can, indeed, know for sure.

The Bible says that you can know for sure that you’ll be with God after you die. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV). You see, your eternal destiny depends on what Jesus has done for you, not on what you can do for Him. It isn’t your hold on God that rescues you; it’s His hold on you. God doesn’t put a price tag on the Gift of Jesus. But like any other gift, Jesus’ salvation isn’t yours until you take it. But let me make a couple of things clear.

For one thing, you can’t earn God’s gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (ESV). God’s gift to you was the sending His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to forgive your sins. God’s grace covers your sin. I’m sure you’re a loving person, a good person, and that you might even be the volunteer of the year. But all that will never be good enough. Each of us was born with a sinful nature. That’s why Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the only way God could wipe your sins away so you can be in Heaven with Him. That doesn’t mean you never need to ask for God’s forgiveness. Quite the contrary. You need to and can go directly to Jesus Christ in prayer to ask Him to forgive you.



Asking God to forgive you at the end of each day is both admirable and wise. Can you live guilt-free after asking for forgiveness? Absolutely, if you have a personal friendship with Christ. He is freedom. It’s not the cleansing of your conscience that rescues you. It’s your faith in Jesus that rescues you. A clean conscience is the result of your coming into that right friendship with God.

How does that happen? It starts when you ask Jesus to come and live in your heart. You must open the door of your life and take Jesus in as your Master and as your Rescuer. You and you alone, in that quiet area of your heart have to make that choice. And it’s really as easy as A B C.

• Admit you’ve messed up, that you’re a sinner.
• Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. Yes, for YOU!
• Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is now your Boss and the most important One in your heart and life.

Here’s how you can pray: "Dear God, I know that I’ve messed up. I want to turn from my old way of living and start living for Jesus Your Son. Please forgive me. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died to forgive my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Rescuer and follow Him as my Master from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen."

I know many of you reading this week’s Mid-Week Encouragement have already done this, but I don’t ever want to assume that you have. And if you chose to ask Jesus to come into YOUR life today, for the first time, please let me know so I can keep praying for you. And always know that I’m here to answer any questions you might have about what you’ve done.

Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading John 17:1-11 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message this coming Sunday, May 17, as we worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.