Your body is not the real you.

God gave you a spirit, soul, and body when He made you. Your spirit is the same type of being that God is—it will never die. Your spirit is the real you. It is the part of you that lives on after your physical death, and it is the part of you that has a relationship with God. Proverbs 20:27 NKJV says, “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.” God connects with, speaks to, and gives revelation to your spirit.

Since your spirit is the immortal part of you and how you connect with God, you should take care to know where you are going after death. The Bible says that when you die, you go directly to one of two places—heaven or hell. For those who are saved, physical death will be a joyous day. 2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV says, “…rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” You will finally be able to join the Father in heaven.

However, those who were not saved will not be able to join the Father in heaven. After physical death, there is no turning back. Luke 16:26 NKJV says that there is a great gulf between heaven and hell, and that no one can go between them. While on earth, you have every chance to be saved and know where your spirit is going, but after death the decision has already been made.

You cannot earn a way into heaven through good works or doing all of the right things. You cannot get there through another religion or god. The Bible says there is only one way to the Father—Jesus. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV. Sin separates you from God, and the only way you can come back to Him is through a perfect sacrifice. Since you cannot pay for your own sin, Jesus died for you. He gave His life so that you may be reunited with the Father and spend eternity with Him in heaven.

So, how do you get saved? Jesus said that you must be born again. That means making Jesus the Lord of your life, turning away from your old self, and accepting Him as your savior. Below is a salvation prayer to start your relationship with God and know that your spirit will join Him in heaven.

God, I believe Jesus died on the cross, I believe his blood paid for my sins, and I believe he rose again. I give him all of my heart and all of my life. I hold nothing back, and as you help me, I will live for Jesus every day. I receive the forgiveness Jesus purchased for me. I thank you my past is gone, that I am your child, a part of your family today and forever. In Jesus’s name, amen.