Have you ever paused to wonder what happens after you die? One of the first profound conversations I had about faith was about salvation. I was asked what is arguably the most important question of all: “Do you believe you’re going to heaven?”
It was shortly after I had accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and without hesitation, I said no. When asked why, I explained, “I’ve done some pretty awful things. How could someone like me possibly go to heaven?” The follow-up question caught me off guard: “Then who do you believe deserves to go to heaven?”
After some thought, I answered honestly, “I believe everyone deserves a chance—especially those who feel judged, unworthy, or undeserving of forgiveness. People who are burdened with guilt and shame. The broken and the damned.”
I thought that if more people understood how to get to heaven, more people would want to go. But back then, I didn’t believe there could be room for someone like me.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
So, if you’ve ever wondered whether someone like you could make it to heaven, let me share the hope that transformed my life.
From Brokenness to Grace
For years, I lived with the weight of my mistakes and the lie that I was too far gone. I believed I was a wretched person—selfish, broken, and beyond redemption. Why would God forgive me?
“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:7 NLT
My life was messy. I partied, drank, and had sexual relationships outside of marriage. I’ve had an abortion, battled depression as a teen, struggled with an eating disorder in my early 20s, and suffered deeply from the scars of toxic relationships. One of the most devastating experiences of my life was being raped. It left me feeling shattered, filthy, and unworthy of love.
Even in my brokenness, God saw me. He loved me. I was far from perfect. I still am. But the difference now is that I walk with Jesus daily, and He is perfecting me in His image. The truth that changed my life is this: it’s not about how “good” or “bad” you’ve been. The saint and the sinner both need Jesus to get to heaven. As Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Is Heaven Truly for Me?
The question about heaven is shrouded in doubt. Many people wrestle with whether they are truly “good enough” for heaven, carrying the weight of their imperfections and past mistakes. I’ve always thought heaven was for people who had it all together—those who lived clean, good, sinless lives.
The beauty of God’s salvation is that it’s not about being good enough; it’s about trusting that Jesus was good enough on your behalf. This assurance is a gift, freely given, because salvation is grounded in grace—not human effort or merit.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Grace is unmerited favor—a gift you didn’t earn and could never repay. It means that God’s love for you is not contingent on how well you perform or how many mistakes you’ve made. His grace covers the moments of failure, the regrets, and even the sins that you think disqualify you from His presence.
When you understand this truth, it brings freedom. Instead of living in constant fear, wondering if you’ve done enough or been enough, you can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. On the cross, He bore the weight of your sin and declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). This wasn’t a statement of defeat but of victory—His victory over sin, death, and the separation between you and God.
God wants you to have assurance of your salvation—a confidence rooted not in your deeds but in His grace. Assurance of salvation doesn’t come from feelings, which can waver, or from human achievement, which is always imperfect. It comes from God’s unchanging promises. He is faithful to do what He said He would: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Is Salvation Really for Everyone?
Salvation is available to everyone, regardless of their past. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). No one is too far gone for God’s grace. Whether you’ve lived a life distant from Him, made decisions you regret, or carried the weight of guilt and shame, Jesus is calling you. Salvation begins with recognizing your need for a Savior. Sin is not just about outward actions; it’s a condition of the heart that separates us from God.
In His mercy, God doesn’t leave us in that fallen state. Instead, He provided a way back to Him through Jesus Christ. The question isn’t whether salvation is available to you—it is. The real question is, will you accept it? So, what do you need to do to be saved?
Acknowledge Your Sin
The first step is admitting that you’ve sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard. This isn’t about wallowing in guilt but about being honest with yourself and with God. Confession opens the door for healing and forgiveness.
Repent
Repentance means more than feeling sorry for your sins. It’s about turning away from them and choosing to live differently. Acts 3:19 urges us, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Repentance is a heart change—a decision to move away from sin and toward God.
Believe in Jesus Christ
At the core of salvation is faith. You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He rose again to give you eternal life. Romans 10:9 promises, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Receive God’s Gift
Salvation is not something you earn through noble deeds or religious rituals. It’s a gift that must be received by faith. Accepting this gift means letting go of the notion that you can save yourself and trusting fully in God’s grace.
Commit to Follow Christ
Finally, salvation is the beginning of a lifelong journey. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you also commit to making Him the Lord of your life. This means allowing Him to guide your decisions, shape your character, and transform your heart. Jesus calls us to follow Him daily:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
God’s invitation is open to all who recognize their sin and turn to Him. No matter who you are or where you’ve been, God’s invitation is for you. Salvation is not a prize for the perfect but a lifeline for the lost. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
So, the next time doubts creep in, remind yourself of this truth: your salvation isn’t something you achieve; it’s something you receive. And God, who began this good work in you, will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).