If someone asked you today, “Why do you believe you are going to Heaven?” what would you say?
It is one of the most important questions we will ever answer.
Many people would say:
“I’ve gone to church all my life.”
“I was baptized.”
“My parents raised me in a Christian home.”
“I believe in God.”
“I try to be a good person.”
“I give to people in need.”
“I know the Bible.”
“I prayed a prayer when I was young.”
“I’ve been a church member for years.”
All of those things may be part of a person’s life, but none of them can save us.
Going to church does not make us Christians any more than walking into a hospital makes us doctors. Baptism is an important act of obedience for someone who has trusted Christ, but the water itself cannot wash away our sin. Growing up in a Christian family is a wonderful blessing, but our parents’ faith cannot become our faith simply because we were raised in their home.
And being a good person cannot save us either.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 ESV
The Bible does not divide humanity into “good people” and “bad people.” Every one of us has sinned. Every one of us needs a Savior.
One of the most sobering passages in Scripture is found in Matthew 7:21–23. Jesus spoke about people who would call Him “Lord” and point to religious things they had done. Yet Jesus said that He never knew them.
Think about that for a moment.
These were not necessarily people who wanted nothing to do with Christianity. They knew Christian language. They did religious things. They called Jesus “Lord.”
But something was missing.
They did not truly know Him.
That should cause every one of us to ask ourselves a very personal question:
What am I trusting in to get me to Heaven?
Am I trusting in my church?
My baptism?
My good works?
A Christian family?
Something I did many years ago?
Or am I trusting completely in Jesus Christ?
The Bible is wonderfully clear about salvation.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Salvation is not something we earn. It is something God gives.
Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for our sins and rose again. He took the punishment that we deserved so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 ESV
He did not say He was one way among many.
He is the way.
Christianity is not ultimately about belonging to a church, knowing Christian terminology, following religious traditions, or trying hard enough to become a better person.
It is about Jesus Christ.
There is another man in Scripture who understood religion very well. His name was Nicodemus. He was respected, educated, moral, and deeply religious.
Yet when Nicodemus came to Jesus, Jesus told him:
“You must be born again.” John 3:7 ESV
Nicodemus needed something religion could never give him.
He needed new life.
And so do we.
Perhaps you have attended church for decades. Perhaps you know Scripture. Perhaps you were baptized as a child. Perhaps everyone around you assumes that you are a Christian.
But the question remains:
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?
There is no more important question.
This week, I encourage you not to answer it quickly. Think about it. Pray about it. Open your Bible and read John 3, Romans 3, Romans 10, and Ephesians 2.
And ask yourself honestly:
Why do I think I’m going to Heaven?
If your answer ultimately comes down to something you have done, keep searching the Scriptures.
Our hope is not in what we have done for God.
Our hope is in what Jesus Christ has done for us.
A question for you
If someone asked you, “Why do you believe you are going to Heaven?” how would you answer?
You are welcome to share your thoughts or questions in the comments.
Next Sunday: Going to Church Doesn’t Save You
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