Can I be 100% sure?
The short answer: YesThe long answer:
We're part of the ultimate statistic: 10 out of 10 people die. However, the bible makes it clear that we can know without a doubt, that we'll spend eternity in heaven. Lets look at the basics of this assurance:
Romans 3:23"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
By reading the verse above, we're told that everyone has sinned. Everyone knows that they're not perfect. We've all done wrong, intentionally and unintentionally. God is perfect. God is righteous. We have all sinned and come short of God's glory by sinning. Are you familiar with sin? Many children, when asked to give their definition of sin will say: "Sin is doing bad things." They're right, but we need to know specifically what these bad things are.
Have you ever heard of the 10 commandments? Most people have an idea of at least a couple of them. These commandments are a means to reveal what sin is. (If you have a Bible handy, they're listed in Exodus 20). In essence, a few of these commandments mention that we shouldn't lie, kill, commit adultery, steal, covet, and so on. Have you ever lied? I know I have. I'm sure I've told a thousand lies in my life time. Of course, this means I've broken one of the commandments at least one thousand times. I have sinned, no doubt. What about stealing? I was never a bank robber, but I have stolen many things in my life. Whether it was money, a paper clip, a car, your friend's comb... have you stolen something before? It should be clear by now that I've broken 2 of the 10 commandments.
What about murder? I know I've never killed anyone. Yet, the Bible says in 1 John 3:15a "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:" There are many times when I have hated someone. According to the Bible, that hate for a person is the same as murder. What about adultery? I know I've never committed adultery. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
So far, according to the bible, I've broken 4 out of the 10 commandments. How about yourself? You see, we've all sinned and come short of God's glory. God's standard is perfection both outwardly (our words and actions) along with inwardly (our heart, mind, or thoughts.)
Romans 6:23a "For the wages of sin is death;"
Everyone has sinned. What's more, there's a penalty for our sin. The verse above mentions that there are wages of sin. When a person works 40 hours at their job, they earn a pay check. They've earned the wages for that week. Just the same, our sin has earned us something. Our sin has earned us the punishment of death. However, the bible speaks of 2 deaths. One is physical while the other is spiritual.
Revelation 21:8b"...and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Notice the part which says "...and all liars..."
The death which Romans 6:23 refers to, is this "second death" which is mentioned in the previous verse. This second death is known as a spiritual death. It results when a person's body and soul are cast into Hell. Hell is described in the Bible many times. Some of these descriptions include:
A lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)
A bottomless pit.(Revelation 20:1)
A place of everlasting punishment.(Matthew 25:46)
A place of sorrows.(Psalm 18:5)
A place where people have no rest.(Revelation 14:11)
A place where people gnaw their tongues.(Revelation 16:10)
Because of our sin, we deserve to go to Hell. We have earned the wages of sin. We have earned everlasting torment because of our foolish ways. God's standard is perfection. We have obviously fallen short. Our lies, adultery, blasphemy, thievery, and idolatry have earned us the right to burn in Hell for eternity. There is no amount of good which you or I could do that would take away our sin. There is nothing that we can hide from God.
However, God loves his creation. He loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), was born of a virgin. He was perfect and righteous. He healed the blind, sick, and even raised people from the dead. He came to this earth in order to "...seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10b). He was later crucified on the cross at Calvary and after 3 days he arose from the dead. He paid the price for all sin on the cross.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Romans 6:23"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
It's quite simple. God is offering eternal life right before you. Salvation from eternal torment in Hell, is right before you. Jesus took the wages of sin which you deserve and bore your personal punishment on the cross. The only requirement is that you repent (change your mind) and place your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Romans 10:9-10"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
It comes down to a personal choice. I cannot force the decision upon you. It's a simple decision of calling upon Jesus Christ to save you. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you'll be saved. The Bible promises that whosoever calls upon Jesus Christ, will be saved!
Please don't wait. We're not promised tomorrow.
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