1. Admit that you are a sinner.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Many people hope they will make it to heaven because they haven't been "too bad" and perhaps have done a lot of "good" things. The idea is that if their good outweighs the bad, they will be accepted into heaven.

Quite often people compare themselves with those who have committed terrible acts of wrong against others and think they should be allowed into heaven because they're not nearly as bad as those truly evil people.

But the Word of God says, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." God judges us with his own perfect righteousness, and therefore "there is none righteous, no, not one."

2. Acknowledge the penalty of sin.

"For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

"Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:15)

Death means "separation from God," in hell, forever. How terrible, but true. Yet, God is "not willing that any should perish."

3. Accept God's provision for your sin.

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

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

"For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:21)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12)

Jesus Christ took your sins upon Himself and therefore paid the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross. He was buried and was raised on the third day, just as the scriptures had said he would, victorious over sin and death.  If you will pray and ask God to forgive you and to save you He promised that you would not be cast out.

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" John 6:37