Eternal life is to know God.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”  (John 17:3)

God promises eternal life to all who believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, was buried, and rose again after three days.

“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)

God requires a heart change- a genuine sorrow for the sin in our lives that separates us from God.

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

We recognize that Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless One, died on the cross for our sins.  His death paid the debt that we owe.

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

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

We humble ourselves before the Creator, repent of our disobedience and rejection of Him, and ask to receive the forgiveness for which He paid so dearly.  So, to be saved, to have eternal life, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Believe that He rose from the grave in resurrection power, defeating Satan forever.  God has made salvation so simple.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)

“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)

If you made your confession and professed your faith, your eternal life starts immediately!  The Holy Spirit seals us as children of God and lives inside believers.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”  (1 Corinthians 3:16)

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”  (Colossians 1:27)

The indwelling Holy Spirit helps us understand the truth found in the Bible and that truth sets us free- free from those old habits and thoughts keeping us from the promised abundant life in Jesus.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:31-32)

“…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

Jesus loves us unconditionally, even when we fail Him.  When we comprehend what Jesus did for us on the cross, we love Him in return.  We will know Jesus perfectly in heaven.  How well we know Jesus in this temporal life will depend on how obedient we are to His word and His guidance in our life.

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  (John 14:21)

“…If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”  (John 14:23)

If you have believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.  If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, you are now a member of the family of God.  Join a church like Dellwood Baptist Church that believes the bible to be the infallible word of God.  Be baptized as an outward expression of your inward conversion.  Continue to renew your mind by studying God’s Word and attending church and Sunday school classes.  Reach out to God in prayer.  Remind yourself every morning and give thanks that you are a beloved child of God and righteous in His sight through the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the cross on your behalf.