Death knocks on our door at a set time in life. We do not know when it will be.

As the month of October ends with the holiday of Halloween, we are reminded of death. Though Halloween can be fun and filled with candy, pumpkins, and parties, it also has a sinister side.

It is the sinister side of Halloween that reminds us of death and its certainty in everyone’s life.

And, since we are thinking about death, can I ask you an important question? Are you prepared for death? Do you know for certain that you would go to heaven and have eternal life upon your death? If not, I’d like to share with you how you can know for certain, according to the Bible.

It can be summed up in one word: FAITH.

“F” stands for forgiveness. We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness and we all need His forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That means you and me, your neighbor, your sister, even your grandma. Everyone needs forgiveness,

Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses (sins), according to the riches of His grace. Jesus provided this forgiveness by His death on the cross.

“A” is for available. Forgiveness is available for all of us.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” That word, “whoever” means all.

Although it is available for (all everyone), it is not automatic.

Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”

You might be wondering, “why?” And that leads us to the next letter, I.

I is for impossible. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because although He is loving, He is also just. And man, you and I, are sinful.

We already looked at John 3:16 which spoke of God’s love. James 2:13 tells us God is just and His judgment is without mercy. And, also as looked at earlier, man is sinful (Romans 3:23).

So, how can a sinful person enter heaven where God allows no sin? That leads us to the next letter, “T”.

T is for turn. If you were driving down the road, and someone asked you to turn, what would they be asking you to do? They would be asking you to change direction.

To turn is to change direction. It means to turn away from something. That something is your sin and yourself.

Luke 13:3 tells us that, “…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

When you turn from something (sin and self) you are turning to something else. That something is Jesus. We end turn to Jesus alone and trust Him as Savior and Lord.

The Bible tells us that, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4).

The Bible also says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Finally, we come to the letter “H”.

“H” is for heaven. Heaven is eternal life.

We have the promise of eternal life HERE. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly“ (John10:10b).

We also have the promise of eternal life HEREAFTER. Jesus said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).

So the real question is “how”? HOW can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?

FAITH can also stand for something else, Forsaking All I Trust Him. As Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Understanding what I have shared with you today, would you like to receive this forgiveness by trusting in Christ as your personal Savior and Lord? If so, I would love to hear about your decision.

Look, death knocks at everyone’s door. Every single person will meet with death. We need to be prepared when it arrives at ours.