WHAT SHALL I DO TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?

In a world where we're unsure about a lot of things, one question matters more than most: How can I be sure I'll go to heaven?

It's a big question, just like the one a rich young man, and a lawyer, asked Jesus long ago. His story helps us understand ( read the whole story in Matthew 19:16-22).

"Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Matthew 19:16

So let's answer the question; What shall I do to have eternal life? It's actually very simple. Just remember these 3 stages;

1. Justification

2. Sanctification

3. Glorification

When can we experience the first stage- justification?

When we believe in Jesus, invite Him into our lives to control us, then we surrender our life totally to Him, we confess our sins and repent. That's it!

You are now forgiven (or justified). You have already experienced justification. You are now a child of God. In other words servant of God, or slave to God. You now have the power to live the life of Jesus, since Jesus is in your heart now-empowering you.

This is what the rich young man failed to do. He was not willing to surrender all to Jesus.

How about the second stage- Sanctification?

When we maintain our walk with God. In other words, we surrender our all, (the first stage experience) and in the second stage (sanctification) we stay surrendered.

We continue, when we remain,or when we abide in surrender to Christ, (read John 15:1-5) by following His will- His commandments.

For the second stage, you can now obey, since you already have the power to obey. That's it. You have experienced the second stage.

And How about the third stage- glorification?

We will experience this when Jesus comes again.

So, finding heaven isn't complicated. Just remember the 3 stages of salvation. A converted person -has been saved- from the penalty of sin.

We call that JUSTIFICATION. He -is being saved- from the power of sin, and we call that SANCTIFICATION.

He -shall be saved- from the presence of sin, when Christ comes the second time, and that will be GLORIFICATION. All three of these tenses are used in the Bible in connection with being saved.