Eternal life in heaven is not a right for all of humanity and not given to us against our wish. Heaven will not be an automatic destination for us on the other side of death if we are not interested in being there, no desire to reside there, or not making the arrangements to get there!

The pain and struggles of this world are evident in the newscasts and our individual family circumstances. There isn’t an individual we know who hasn’t been touched by the work of Christ’s enemy. Fortunately, our Lord has a plan to bring this war against Him to an end, once and for all.

John 10:10 gives us the contrast of the personal mission of Jesus Christ and the intention of His foe: “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (HCSB).

When our Lord returns, He will usher in His Kingdom of Righteousness and the earth will be made new. Sin and Satan will be no more. The plan of human redemption will have gone its course at proving that the Creator God is true and just and that enemy of Christ has truly been “the father of lies” to all humanity.

Revelation 21:1, 4 says “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away…And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:8 tells us that the “unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars” will not be in heaven. Nahum 1:9 seems to suggest that sin “will not rise up a second time.”

In case you wondering why, consider that they would unhappy in a sinless heaven, they would all eternity to deal with their own guilt, and the rest of the saints would be subject to temptation all over again!

The Bible describes our condition in this way,“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

The Bible defines sin in 1 John 3:4:“Sin is the transgression of the law.” Have you broken God’s Holy Moral law? Have you ever stolen? Disobeyed your parents? Misused the name of God? Lusted? Coveted what others are and have?

Of course you have! “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all stand separated from God and guilty of sin if we attempt to face the judgment in our own strength!

How to Pray for Eternal Life

Consider the word “pray” as an acronym as well as the solution to receiving the assurance of eternal life…

P -We all have a problem. We have all sinned. We are all unable to build our own bridge to Heaven because we have sinned and willfully continue to sin.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23

Also look at: Isa. 59:2 | 1 John 3:4 | Isa. 64:6

R -As a result of all of mankind having a willful sin problem, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, stepped into humanity to pay the penalty of our sins by living the sinless life that we could not and would not.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

Also look at: John 1:29 | 1 Tim. 2:5 | Isa. 59:1

A -We must accept the free gift of eternal life that Jesus Christ offers us or will receive our own wages of sin in the judgment.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23

Also look at: John 3:16 | Eph. 2:8-9 | John 1:12

Y -We must yield our life to Christ Jesus and we do this by confessing with our mouth, through prayer, that we are yielding ourselves to Him as Savior and Lord.

“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 10:9-10

Also look at: 1 John 1:9 | Psalm 51:10-12 | Rom. 12:1-2

Why not Pray and Receive Eternal Life?

It is by asking in faith, believing in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, that we are forgiven.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

We ask, believe, and confess through prayer. The prayer that goes something like this one…

Lord Jesus,

I am a sinner. I know I cannot save myself. Now in faith I ask your forgiveness. I repent of my sins and I accept your gift of eternal life. I thank you for living the life I could not and would not, and dying the death that I deserved, so I might have the eternal life that only you deserve. I accept you as my Savior and will trust you as Lord of my life.

Amen

…is the kind of prayer that Jesus Christ affirms when He said:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath eternal life.” - John 6:47

Is it your desire to pray that kind of prayer? Do you sense God’s touch upon your heart to confess your need of Him? Why not pause where you are now and pray to accept Jesus Christ into your life? Will you let me know by dropping me a quick note or a question in the form below?

Please use this form to send your question or message to us. This form converts into an email that is sent directly to Pastor Steve Durkac. After you submit this form your browser will be redirected to our front page. Thank you.

Eternal Life