I don't want to be left out when the time comes for me to go to heaven, but I'm afraid I will be. I've always tried to be a good person, but how can I know if I've been good enough? What else do I need to do? — P.J.

My answer may shock you—but the Bible tells us that you and I can never be good enough to go to heaven. Let me explain.

The reason we will never be good enough is because God is absolutely holy and pure, and even one sin—just one—is enough to banish us from His presence. The Bible says of God, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong" (Habakkuk 1:13). Just as a sterile operating room requires absolute cleanliness, so heaven requires absolute perfection—and none of us can measure up to that standard.

The only way we can go to heaven, therefore, is to be cleansed of our sins—totally and absolutely. And that is what God offers to do for us through Jesus Christ. You see, Jesus was God in human form—and because of that He was sinless. But on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the punishment we deserve. Now when we trust Him for our salvation, He forgives us and cleanses us from every sin. The Bible says, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Yes, we can know we are going to heaven—not because of our own goodness, but because of Christ. Turn to Him today and trust Him alone for your salvation. Then thank Him for saving you, and ask Him to help you learn to walk with Him every day.