How does one know if they are going to heaven or not.

the only way to heaven is through Christ and the Grace and Love of our God. This i know. But i have this feeling like no matter what i do its not good enough and when i try its never enough.  I try to be good, but like most i fail horribly.  


if you step outside yourself and take a look at yourself, are you ashamed of what your are or have become?  

Materialistic things seem to drive me alot the past year or so.  before that i was all about finding the "truth" and becoming a better person.  i'm not sure were i went astray but the path seems lost to me.

to come to ones realization that you are a sinner is a painful, confusing and helpless feeling.

Illusions and dillusions
the trials of live
never feeling granduer
always feeling strife.  
                     -me

reading a little...

Each individual, by working through and removing major impediments and hindrances, becomes capable of assisting other members in their healing and working with their faults.  Ethical formation then, dows not revolve about a system of measuring up to an externally imposed ideal equally applied to all members of the community, but rather it revolves about individuals working on themselves among others who are also working on their problems in a process of mutual self formation and corporate transformation.

- The Gospel of Thomas

I have not read the Gospel of Thomas as I dont agree that it is inspired scripture. IMHO. I think its popular with Gnostics though, Hydgirl would know I think.

Anyway right now I am not goping to debate that, it will not edify at this time. I will offer this however and hope it helps. I posted it a while back but should be appropriate here.

Are You Born Again? This is one of life's most important questions. Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). It is not enough to reply, "I belong to a church; I suppose I'm a Christian." Thousand of nominal "Christians" show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us -- many listed in the First Epistle of John. First of all, John wrote, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (1 John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not" (1 John 5:8). A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him. If he said he had no sin, he would be lying (1 John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appearing both in his words and his actions. He knows that "In many things we offend all" (James 3:2). But he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things cause him grief and sorrow and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again? Second, John wrote, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1). A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can pardon his soul, that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, and with true repentance, he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that, because he has accepted Christ's finished work and death on the cross, he is considered righteous in God's sight, and he may look forward to death and judgement without alarm. He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see what he will say. Ask him if he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own goodness, his own works, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again? Third, John wrote: "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him" (1 John 2:29). The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour and to prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence. Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a Christian at all, he will be able to say with John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.'' What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again? Fourth, John wrote: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company. He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers, fighting against the same enemy. They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. They may be different from himself in many ways -- in rank, in station and in wealth. But that does not matter. They are his Father's sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again? Fifth, John wrote, "Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as a standard of what is right and wrong. He does not mind going against the ways of the world, or its ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love and lusts of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people, or give absolutely no praise to God. To him they seem foolishness and unworthy to an immortal being. He loves God's praise more than man's praise. He fears offending God more than offending man. It is unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is to please God. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again? Sixth, John wrote, "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself" (1 John 5:18). A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin, but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as a disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitably. He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country -- to wear his armor continually and to prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be a watchful, humble, prayerful man. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again? These are the six great marks of a born again Christian. There is a vast difference in the depth and the distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint and hardly noticeable. In others they are bold, plain and unmistakable, so anyone may read them. Some of these marks are more visible than others in each individual. Seldom are all equally evident in any one person. But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God. How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion -- only those who are born again can have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks in one way or another are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the Apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?

Quoted: How does one know if they are going to heaven or not. the only way to heaven is through Christ and the Grace and Love of our God. This i know. But i have this feeling like no matter what i do its not good enough and when i try its never enough.  I try to be good, but like most i fail horribly.

You are on the verge of a revelation of grace.

I'll tell you up front that nothing you do will be good enough.  But that's the whole point!

If you could be good enough and do enough to deserve to go to heaven, then Yeshua's suffering and crucifixion were a waste!  History's cruelest joke!

The point is that you cannot do it, and that's why He decided to express His love by taking our penalty upon Himself, opening the way for us to have eternal life with Him.

Grace is unmerited favor.  Undeserved.

When we get to heaven there will be no bragging about what people did to get there!  All we will be able to do is point to the Lamb upon the throne!

Your salvation is not "performance based."  Your works will affect your reward on the other side, but your salvation is a gift from God Himself.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Wages are earned, gifts are free.  You can't earn a gift.  When it is owed to you it is no longer a gift.

Also, read the 8th chapter of Romans.

When you begni to grasp grace it is so liberating!  

Quoted: When you begin to grasp grace it is so liberating!

Amen.

Wildboar, as usual, has made an excellent contribution!  For some time I was mixed up on #5.  I usually did what I thought was right but only when I did what God said was right did I really grow as a Christian.  Trying to be good can be frustrating but trying to be close to God, reading/studying the Bible, fellowship with other Christians, and faithfully attending church makes being good natural.

My favorite verse right now:

Jam 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

God Bless,

Shok

thanks to everyone for the great info.