What can keep me from going to heaven? According to the Bible, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The central question is not whether your past is too sinful for God to forgive, but whether you acknowledge Jesus as Lord and receive the salvation He offers.
What Does It Mean to Acknowledge Jesus Christ?
Jesus taught that He will acknowledge before the Father those who acknowledge Him before others. He also warned about disowning Him:
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
—Matthew 10:32–33 (NIV)
Acknowledging Jesus Christ means more than simply knowing who He is. It means placing your faith in Him, recognizing Him as Lord and Savior, and being willing to identify yourself as one of His followers.
What Is the Unpardonable Sin?
Rejecting Jesus Christ—the one and only Savior—leaves a person without the hope of salvation. Rejecting the only source of forgiveness means rejecting the pardon God offers.
John 3:36 explains that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, while whoever rejects the Son will not receive that life.
The Bible also teaches that God draws people to Christ. Jesus said in John 6:44 that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws that person.
How Can I Respond to Jesus?
If you feel God stirring your heart, He may be drawing you to Jesus Christ. You can respond by placing your faith in Jesus, acknowledging Him as your Lord and Savior, repenting—turning away—from your sins, and asking God for forgiveness.
The Bible teaches that this life is the time to respond to God’s offer of salvation. Do not put off the decision to follow Christ. There are no second chances to accept Christ once you die.
How Can I Know If I Am Truly Saved?
If you are wondering whether your faith is genuine, review our biblical salvation checklist based on 1 John, chapters 1–5. It explains some of the evidence the Bible gives of a life that has been changed by Jesus Christ. Click here for the checklist.
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Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible 1995® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 and from the Legacy Standard Bible © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org