After our 'confession' of believing on Christ Jesus, He also commanded His to do certain acts to 'seal' us with His Covenant, such as repenting and being baptized in His Name, and observing Holy Communion, and continuing in His Word (Mark 1:15; 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8; 10:47-48; Acts 18:8; Acts 22:14:16; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; 1 Cor.10 & 11; Isaiah 8:16; John 8:31).
     But believing, repenting, and being baptized in His Name is only the first step to truly be 'in Christ'. (Not to go into depth here, but it's important to know our LORD also has Power to save without 'water' Baptism, such as the case with the malefactor crucified with our Lord who believed; Luke 23. That was a special example to show us God's Power. Those who can get baptized, have no excuse, especially in the Western Christian Nations where we worship God through His Son in liberty and in freedom still).
     The 'major' purpose of this flesh age existence is for God to bring That Salvation through Christ Jesus, His Son, to us, redeeming all those who 'believe', back to Him by defeating the devil (Heb.2). That Promise of Salvation was first given through Abraham (Gen.12 & 17). And The Word 'hinted' at It all the way back in Genesis 3:15.
     Concerning sin, all one has to do, is look around today. Can we honestly say that any of us actually know someone totally 'without sin' today? We all 'sin' in this flesh (again see Romans 7 and Gal.5 as to what Paul taught about the war between flesh and the Spirit). Christ Jesus is The Only One 'totally' without 'any' sin, Who came to earth, born of woman just like us, but was slain and then in Glory resurrected to the Right Hand of God. If Christ had sinned, He wouldn't be the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb of God for us. We would be left of our own flesh infirmities and failures, lost, with no hope, left with the world's devices. And this is why 'we all' are, and must be, born into sin in this flesh once (Gal.3:22; Heb.9:27); it's God's Way to show us that we need Him, and Him only for Salvation! (see Isaiah 44:6-8; Deut. 4:35; 4:39; Deut. 32:39-43, as "His people" and "nations" there mean 'all' who accept Christ Jesus; also see Isaiah 45 especially).

Titus 3:3-8
3    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4    But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5    Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6    Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7    That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8    This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
(KJV)

     Notice the last verse here of Titus 3:8 about being "careful to maintain good works." Like was said a previous time, and as written in Rev.14:13, our 'works' follow us to Heaven. And that means our 'good' works. So what happens to our sins after we repent to Christ Jesus? That's what that word 'remission' means; literally wiped away, forgotten (1 John 1; Heb.10).
     To be 'perfect' in The Lord is to 'want' to follow Him, to 'want' to do right, even though we may fall short, and we will while we are still in this flesh body, for the 'flesh' cannot please God. It's the acts of allowing His Spirit to work through us, doing work for Him, which justifies our spirit in Him (Romans 8). The 'flesh' is not of our Father's original first Plan for us before Lucifer rebelled. God brought the flesh state because of Lucifer's rebellion against Him, and the drawing away of one third of God's children (Rev.12). But while we are still here in this 'flesh', those who claim The Salvation Promise have got work to do, fulfilling a Mission for our Lord. Let's not be slack in it, for it's an honor and a 'pleasure' to serve Him. His Letter He gave us, The Word of God, instructs us on 'how' to serve Him according to His Will, not ours. That's where many believers on Christ fail, listening and following those who use man's human nature to form morals, and thus leaving the Doctrines of Christ. God's Word has the only true set of morals for us to follow. And in this dispensation time of 'Grace', He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us in that. The Word solidifies our understanding of true righteousness, as aided by His Spirit.
     So... that's a 'general', and 'specific' coverage of what we 'must do' to be saved, and go to Heaven. Is there anything written about those who sin 'against' Christ; those who will not get into Heaven? Romans 1 and Galatians 5 both cover some of those, with the 'works of the flesh':

Gal 5:16-21
16    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18    But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20    Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21    Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(KJV)

But the 'works' of the Spirit are:

Gal 5:22-26
22    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23    Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24    And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25    If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26    Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
(KJV)

     Simply, if we always do works which are the 'fruit of the Spirit', then we are not under The Law, for those good works are not 'against' God's Law. That is our 'liberty' in Christ today. To go against the Spirit, means to give up that liberty in Christ, and walk after the flesh. The Law then certainly applies in that state. That's still easily seen today with one going out getting into trouble for stealing, etc. How does God's Law apply to those? When caught, they'll most likely go to jail, as many our civil laws were originally based on God's Law directly from His Word. And the framers of our U.S. Constitution also knew this; that's why they wrote about some of these matters in their writings. They understood God's Plan.

TO GO TO HEAVEN, WE MUST BE 'OVERCOMERS' OF THIS WORLD

     The word 'convert' is in the KJV in Isaiah 6:10, and it's about those who 'convert' back to God with their hearts, and their minds, knowing His Truth, doing His Will. The phrase which even our Lord mentioned in Matt.13, about 'eyes to see and ears to hear' is mentioned there in Isaiah 6 also. That Hebrew word 'shuwb' translated 'convert', means 'to turn back; to return' (Strong's no. 7725). Salvation through Christ Jesus means 'returning' back to God, as His People. Even the New Name God gave to Jacob, that of 'Israel', has a special meaning for 'all' those who receive God's Grace of Salvation through Jesus Christ. That word 'Israel' means "God prevails" (Strong's no.3478 from two Hebrew roots of 'sarah' meaning 'to prevail', and the other 'El', i.e. 'The Almighty'). In Gen.32:28 God gave that Name to Jacob because he 'prevailed' with God's helping hand. The New Testament uses the word 'overcome' in the KJV in the same sense as to 'prevail with God' (Rev.2:7; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 2:13-14; Romans 12:21).
     Thus, to be an 'overcomer' in Christ, is to be working 'with' God, overcoming this world of evil. Each must 'overcome' to go to Heaven, to be part of God's Israel. And Christ makes our 'yoke' light, helping us every step of the way. For as written, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom.8:31).

TO SUMMARIZE: Confession that Jesus of Nazareth is God, 'Emmanuel' in the flesh (Matt.1:23), our Savior, and that only through Him do we have Salvation, is the first step in going to Heaven. Then repentance to Him, and baptism in His Name, following what He told us to do as best we can, are the next required steps. Our repentance to Him is no different than a child who messes up, and goes to their flesh father, asking for forgiveness. That flesh father will naturally wish to embrace their child in love, and actually forgiving them, bringing the child back into 'the fold'. So we shouldn't beat ourselves up with 'guilt' trips once we've repented to our Lord, asking forgiveness, and trying not to do the sin again. Our Lord doesn't want to hear about it anymore after repentance.
     Thus, one who refuses to repent, not accepting Christ, who 'loves' to sin, and even show others how to sin, will not go to Heaven. That is the 'habitual sinner', one who actually does not care if they sin or not. They will not have a place among God's elect in Christ's future Kingdom (Romans 1; Galatians 5; 2 Peter 3, Matt.25; Luke 16 with Lazarus and the rich man; and many other Scriptures in Isaiah Chapters 1 throughout.)
     Further, if you understood about Christ's Millennium reign of a thousand years with His elect, many who fall and stumble today, who really don't have a 'chance' at coming to Christ, will have 'their' chance during that thousand years. And that can never apply to one who is 'called' today, meaning one who 'hears' by God's Grace today. Many in the world don't have a 'clue' as to what God's Plan is about, and are not 'in Christ'. But we, being 'in Christ', who are 'called' during this dispensation time of 'Grace', cannot afford to be slack on ourselves, otherwise we crucify our Lord all over again. And I mean this in the sense of one who comes to Christ, and then later flat refuses Him in their life, and turning to the world, because of not keeping the 'faith'. Repentance to Christ when we sin, trying to do His Will, and staying on Christ, is keeping the 'faith'. Paul taught about this in Hebrews 6. And the Book of James also covers much of our needed attitude to stay 'in Christ'. The Word teaches against a "once saved, always saved" type of thinking. Those with free-will, not specifically being 'chosen' for a special Mission in Christ, can fall away from Him. 2 Thess. 2 with "fall away" is the Greek word 'apostasia', meaning 'apostasy' away from Christ. Only one who once 'believed', can become apostate away from Christ. It doesn't apply to one who hasn't accepted Christ yet.

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5.   There's only ONE WAY to know if we are in the "right group", meaning Christ's Body. That is to study His Word to discover what true 'righteousness' is. Knowing 'righteousness' from His Word then, how can we turn to those wrong groups who oppose righteousness?
     Only one who loves our Lord Jesus, but doesn't know what God's Word says, could ask such a question as this one. That question shows a type of 'fear', as if one was pre-ordained to messing-up. Even the 'workers of iniquity' can change, using their free-will, to come to Christ Jesus, and become a 'son of God'. Remember Isaiah 1:19 that IF we are "willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."? That's the condition; "IF" we are "willing" to be obedient to Christ our Lord.

James 3:13-18
13    Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14    But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15    This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16    For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18    And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
(KJV)

     We are to 'make peace' in the world for our Lord, with His Guidance. And that doesn't mean just 'laying down' either, but being a bit 'salty' for our Lord. But we are to try to make peace whenever possible. If that means we go to 'jail' for making peace and following Christ Jesus, then so be it. We are not to fear this flesh world, but be strong 'overcomers'. Just believing on Christ as Savior is no guarantee that we will go through life with no trials. The matter is, everyone, those in Christ, and those not in Christ, all must suffer through various trials while in this flesh. My question is, which is easier; to go it alone, trying to make our own decisions and choices without God in our lives, or to ask Him to come in our lives? When we do seek and come to Him through His Son, He makes our 'yoke' lighter. Our trials don't end, but they become easier to bear, because we have a very strong Mediator to The Father for us. And didn't our Father create everything? How would any father treat his children whom he loves so much?


Matt 10:28-39
28    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29    Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31    Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32    Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father Which is in heaven.
33    But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Which is in heaven.
34    Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35    For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36    And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37    He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38    And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
39    He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.
(KJV)

     We all are here in this flesh to make 'choice' as to whom we will serve. If not The Father through His Son Jesus Christ, then the 'default' is to Satan. There's no middle-ground. To fear 'flesh' death is to be weak in God's work. If we have 'any' fear, it should be of GOD, Who has Power to destroy 'both', flesh and soul, forever. Did our Lord mean all this as a 'threat' then? No... He meant it to those to whom it is given to. Not all are 'able' to bear a cross even 'similar' to His. But His chosen will have a similar 'cross' to bear, and He will make them prepared for it when the time comes, for they are His 'chosen' vessels. God's Word is full of examples of this type, such as Paul especially:

2 Cor 11:23-31
23    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24    Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25    Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26    In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27    In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28    Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29    Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30    If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31    The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
(KJV)

     Let me take inventory now, comparing my life in Christ with Paul.... Let's see... can't remember the last time I had to run for my life for preaching Christ; don't remember ever receiving stripes on my back from a whip, nor being in prison; I've never been stoned; I did have a type of 'shipwreck' on a fishing boat once though I didn't spend "a night and a day" in the sea; can't say I've really ever 'hungered' or 'thirsted' like Paul... get the idea?
     Clearly, compared to what some have suffered, and others must suffer, to be in Christ, how bad do most of us have it? Paul never had a color TV, stereo, automobile, nice house, etc. One thing he did have... was a Mission for Christ Jesus. And was he slack in it? No way. There's 'our' model for following Christ when things get a little rough in our lives. We are to stand up like a child of God and say, "can do"! And all these things Paul experienced, it was because he was preaching The Gospel of Christ. That's the only Matter he was being persecuted for. So when we suffer persecution for Christ's sake, because we 'know' we are doing His work as servants, then it means we are ticking the 'wicked one' off, because we're wining in the spiritual war against him. One who does more for our Lord must 'expect' that kind of attacking in this world of flesh, for Satan has been given power to rule over the flesh world (Luke 4).[Important: Never argue with Satan. Even Michael the Archangel knew this; Jude 1:9]
     Note that God always protected Paul until his Mission was fulfilled. Just like Jonah, a 'chosen' one will not get out of their 'duty' God has ordained for them. He really makes them 'tow the line'.
     For most of us in Christ today, who may be 'called', but not 'chosen', we have a similar responsibility to our Lord. If not, then why would He have 'called' us? And further, what is a true servant to Christ? Is it one who believes, but just wants to do whatever they wish to do in life, having an easy existence, and not doing any work for Him? Based on how Paul served our Lord, obviously not. And that's what many believers truly want, an 'easy way out', meaning not suffering any persecution for making a 'stand' for Christ. The Gospel Armour of Ephesians 6 fits real well here.

John 17:13-18
13    And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14    I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15    I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16    They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17    Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.
18    As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
(KJV)

     Those who are 'called' and 'chosen' are sent into the world for Christ's sake. Notice above Christ prayed to The Father that His servants not be taken out, but stay in the 'field' doing His work. How is it that so many wish to leave it without fulfilling their God given Mission, just to escape persecution, especially when the 'times' are getting so exciting? It's time to 'stand up', and make a difference in the world, for our Lord Christ Jesus, being His servants.

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Footnotes:

All references to "Strong's nos." are from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, PC Study Bible, Biblesoft, 1993-1996.