Eric Repents and Trusts Christ for Salvation

After some small talk getting to know Eric, I asked him if he knew where he would spend eternity if he were to die today.  Eric didn't know.  I shared with him the good news that the Bible declares we can know with certainty our eternal destiny (1 John 5:11-13).  I asked him if he would like to know how he can be sure his destiny will be heaven.  Yes, he replied.

I explained to him that the Bible says we will stand before God in Judgment (Heb. 9:27).  We will then be judged by God for all that we have done, whether good or bad (Ecc. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:1).  I asked Eric if he knew what standard God would use to determine whether we are good enough to enter heaven.  He didn't know.  I explained to him that Jesus taught his disciples about God's standard of goodness in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

I asked Eric if he had ever told a lie in violation of the 9th Commandment.  Yes, he said.  How many lies do you think you've told, I asked.  He didn't know.  We've all told countless lies, I replied.  I then shared with Eric that Revelation 21 says all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. 

That's just one of the 10 Commandments, Eric, and you've admitted that you've broken that command.  Since you've admitted your guilt, would your eternal destiny be heaven or hell?  Hell, he responded.  Does that concern you that if you died today your destiny would be hell?  Yes, he said.  It should, I added, because Jesus said hell is a place where the fire is never quenched and the flesh never dies (Mk. 9:48).

I then explained to Eric the good news that God is not only a God of Justice, but He's also rich in mercy.  He sent his only son to bear the punishment for all of the sins man has committed, bearing all of the grief and sorrow caused by an infinite number of sins, that we might receive his perfect righteousness by repentance and faith (Mk. 1:15; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21).

I told Eric that in order to be born again and receive the free gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life, he must believe in Jesus Christ and repent, which means to cry out to God for forgiveness of his sins and turn to follow him (Matt. 4:17-19; Mk. 1:15; John 3:3-16).  I asked Eric if he believed Jesus is the Son of God who died for him and rose again the third day, proving He is God.  He said he did.  I then asked him if he had ever repented.  He said he had never done that.  I asked him when he was going to repent.  He said he wanted to do it right then.  So we prayed with him a prayer of repentance for salvation and grace to follow Jesus.  Nothing better than that!