Articles
How Do I Know if I'm Going to Heaven?
This is likely one of the most common questions asked by Christians. To know that we are going to heaven is an assurance that all genuine believers yearn for--and rightly so. If we miss heaven, certain anguish and destruction await us. It is only natural, therefore, that we have a deep interest in our eternal destinies. But how can we know? What assurances are given?
First, we find assurance in that God desires to give us eternal life (Titus 1:1,2). The extent of this desire is evidenced in the offering of His Son, Jesus. It is made known further in that He seated Him at His right hand to make intercession on our behalf. Moreover, He provides escapes for us each time we are tempted. And, He disciplines us when we sin to turn our hearts back toward righteousness (Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 12:5-11).
Yet, most of us realize that God is not the cause for the doubts which arise concerning our salvation. They arise due to our neglect, carelessness, and disobedience. They also arise because we recognize that we are unworthy.
Though these are very valid reasons to question our salvation, God does not want us to live in doubt. He wants us to know that we are saved and are going to heaven. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Without this confidence, we can never possess the peace He offers nor eagerly desire Christ’s return (Philippians 4:7; Matthew 11:28-29; Hebrews 9:28).
But this does not mean that we should deceive ourselves into a false hope. If we are walking disorderly, focusing on the things of this world, or in any way neglecting our salvation, we should have serious doubts about our relationship with the Lord (2 Thessalonians 3:6; James 4:4). But in this lies the answer to overcoming our doubts.
The only thing that can affect our salvation is our unfaithfulness to the Lord. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39; see also Hebrews 10:23). Only we can separate ourselves from God (see 2 Peter 2:20-22).
To remove our doubts, we must become serious about serving God. We must put His kingdom and righteousness first in our lives (Matthew 6:33). We must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and keep ourselves unspotted from the world (Titus 2:11-14; James 1:26-27; 1 Peter 1:13-16). When we fail to do so, we must repent, truly repent, and confess our sins to God. He assures us that He will be faithful and just and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:5-10). With this we can know that we are going to heaven.
Do you question whether or not you will go to heaven? If you are already a Christian, make sure any lingering sins are forgiven by confessing them and asking for God’s forgiveness. Then rededicate yourself completely to Him and trust that He will do what He says.
*Perhaps, as you examine your life, you may discover that your confidence is not based in the Word of God at all, but rather you have not been taught correctly "all things pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). So maybe now is a time to look at your spirituality. Have you been saved by the grace of God? Have you heard the gospel and has it produced faith in you? (Romans 10:17) Have you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Christ? (Romans 10:9-10) Have you repented and been baptized to wash away your sins and be saved? (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16) If you have not responded in this God-appointed method, then you cannot confess your sins as a wayward Christian because you have not yet become a Christian! So, first things first! Let's make sure you responded as you should have and become a Christian following God's pattern.
*Minor additions and adaptations have been made at a later date by Eric Parker so as to clarify the difference between the divinely appointed prescription for a wayward Christian (i.e. confessing sin) and becoming a Christian (i.e. Hearing the gospel, believing and confessing that Jesus is the Christ, repenting of your sins, and being baptized to have those sins forgiven).
