Emerald Leaf Ministries

Note: We are Bible grounded. 'Scriptural basis' is our primary policy and approach regarding spiritual matters or counsel. Information you find on this site is based on Biblical princaples and statutes. We're dedicated to Biblical truth, rather than man made religion or new age ideas. Any other info based on opinion or otherwise is expressed in its appropriate context.

 How to KNOW you have a home in Heaven...

if you're yet in need of eternal assurance, please read on...


Perhaps you've heard some form of the Gospel before, bits and pieces maybe or possibly haven't heard it at all.
Maybe you never understood it completely, or come across a clear presentation.
Here we've provided both a basic form of the Gospel in short, but also supplied a deeper explanation with proof scriptures so that you might understand it more fully.
 

~ Here's the breakdown:
THE BIBLE says there is only one way to Heaven
Jesus said: "..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
(John 14:6)

Heaven isn't earned; Good deeds (works) do NOT save you.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"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." (John 3:16)

 

Being "good" or "nice" can't save you. Our definition of 'good' is nothing compared to God's.
So, how could we ever say we're "good enough" to deserve Heaven?

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;..."(Isaiah 64:4)

"For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

Do you think you're good enough to make it on your own merit?

Remember, God isn't just good, but is holy.

If you have ever told a lie, stolen something (regardless of value), taken God's name in vain, looked at another person to sexually lust after them, hated or grudged against others...
than you've violated God's moral law and statutes, just as we ALL have.

Yes, even wrongful thoughts and desires are serious to God. Here's examples, Jesus said:

“... whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

Now, because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death.

"For the wages [payment] of sin is death;..." (Romans 6:23).

This includes a spiritual death, eternal separation from God in Hell.

"So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27)

It sounds impossible to get to Heaven, doesn't it?  But...

Now The Good News...

God doesn't want us in Hell.

He loves us and wants to save us from the path we blindly follow to destruction. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

We must "change our mind" (the BIBLICAL definition of 'repent')... but about what, you may ask ?

You may need to change your mind from disbelief unto belief in Christ, who He was and what He did to save you. Or, to change your mind about your good deeds having any form of merit to earn or deserve Heaven, or even to somehow prove or evidence salvation you might assume to "deserve".

No amount of "good" we do can erases our sins, and sin has a price which Christ paid for in full.  You must realize the seriousness of sin and turn your mind and faith toward Jesus our God... ALONE.

Our sins are like crimes before God and each person owes a huge fine.
Someone has suffered in your place and paid the fine for you. "How can I accept this gift..", you ask...?

Believe (trust, rely 100%) on Christ and what He accomplished for YOU, as stated in ...
1 Corinthians 15:3b-4a -> "...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day".

Again...
"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." (John 3:16)

We broke God's law and couldn't pay the fine; Jesus suffered innocently on our behalf, bearing our sins, substituting Himself for us to pay that sin debt we could never pay, so that all we must do is receive it as a free gift. Its the only way it ever could be to secure us for eternity...
Romans 4:16a tells us,
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be SURE...".

Simply believe these truths, relying completely upon Christ's perfect work 100% and NONE of yourself (works, penance, proof, evidence or any supposed good deeds or lifestyle).

You may want to mark this moment in prayer. The prayer doesn't save you, but rather is simply an expression of your inward decision and conviction of the truth as you talk to God.

A quick recap:

Realize you're a sinner just as we all are and cannot lend anything to help save yourself by merit. Believe Jesus paid for ALL your sin, trust Jesus ALONE (not your good works). Receive the FREE GIFT of Salvation through belief in the finished substitutionary works of Christ to rescue and secure you forever, nothing less and nothing more. He shed His perfect, holy, innocent blood for you, He loves you that much. Trust Christ alone as your Savior.

DON'T WAIT, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR.
"..behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

If you're convinced you might ask,
"I do believe and would like to talk to God about it, but what should I say?".

You might pray something like this:

"Dear Lord, I realize I am a sinner; I want to be saved from Hell. I believe you came to Earth in flesh as the Christ, to shed sinless, innocent blood for me; You suffered and died for my sins and was raised alive again from grave. I'm sorry for my sins and I now receive your free gift of Salvation. Thank you for saving and forgiving me, for the pardon freely given so I can be in Heaven with you when I die. You provided the perfect and complete payment, paying a debt I could never pay. I could never deserve Heaven, nor could I contribute even one ounce, but thank you for loving me enough to pay the price 100% to rescue me. Now, Please direct my path from this day forward as a good child since I belong to You now. Thank you for securing me forever, never to be lost again. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

These are NOT magical words, its just you talking directly to God. Say it in your own way, in your own words, just mean it from the heart. Its not even by any assumed 'necessity' of prayer that saves anyone, rather, this is just a way of marking a moment in time when you called out to God in belief. And its simply your belief, faith that saves... being convinced of the truth and receiving, trusting in it for your own eternity. Christ can and will save ANYONE who comes to Him in faith, no matter their sins.

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:28-30)

His Holy Spirit will come and live in you and will help you mature as a new child of God, little by little and day by day when you yield to the Lord's will.

If you've received Christ Jesus as your Savior, congratulations!
Now, as a Christian, strive to live out your love and appreciation for God and the salvation He's blessed you with. It doesn't’ determine your salvation, but now that you belong to Him, He desires to transform you and have fellowship with Him, as well as be usable to make a difference out there. Learn to yield to His will, and walk with Him out of love. He has a plan for your life, and wants you to have a part in fulfilling His eternal purposes. Share the good news of salvation with someone, and make a difference in the lives of others by magnifying His name. Again, scripture makes it clear that we're not saved by works, it doesn't save you, Christ took care of that. The Lord's desire is simply for you to grow in this new life, to be more like Him, and for you to fill the roll in helping others to know Jesus that they too can be saved and transformed as well. Do it out of love and appreciation for our savior. If Christ loved us enough to be publicly beaten, humiliated and die for us, to live pleasing to Him and serve is the least we can do, and is only reasonable ...
Romans 12:1-8 1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service".

 And to those who are faithful now while on Earth, they will be rewarded greatly in the ages to come with blessings to enjoy forever...
1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him".

“ If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. “(Galatians 5:25)
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; “(Colossians 1:10)

Some things you can do for God, help your own growth and benefit others for the Lord:

Be baptized, worship, have fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where salvation through Christ alone is preached and the Bible is the final authority.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Read your Bible often and regularly to get to know Christ better.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)

Talk to God in prayer every day.

"Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

Tell others you have accepted Jesus and Share the Gospel with others.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to EVERY ONE that believeth;.." (Romans 1:16)
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16)

And always remember, Christ is with you.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil 4:13)

"...I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20)