|
|
The most important matter
that one will ever consider is the question of their relationship to
God and their eternal destiny. Man has an immortal soul that will
exist forever in one of two places -- either in Heaven or in Hell.
THE BIBLE PROMISES THAT WE CAN KNOW
FOR CERTAIN THAT WE ARE GOING TO HEAVEN.
In 1 John 5:13 the Bible says, “These things
have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe
on the name of the Son of God.” God wants us to have the assurance
that we belong to Him, that we are saved, and that heaven will one
day be our home. HOW CAN WE
KNOW? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE SINNERS AND THEREFORE
SPIRITUALLY LOST.
Consider these verses of
Scripture. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God." (Romans 3:23) The thing that makes us spiritually lost, and
thus separated from God is our sin. (Isaiah 59:2) "But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins
have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Yes, everyone
including you has sinned. "There is none righteous, no, not one."
(Romans 3:10)
Not only is every human a sinner by nature, we are also incapable of
saving ourselves. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5) No matter how
hard we try to do good, we are still sinners.
Before a person can be saved, they must first be faced with the
thing that separates us from Holy God. It is our sin. We are guilty
before God and He requires us to repent to Him of our pride and
disobedience. We have all broken God’s perfect law and thus are
undeserving of entrance into His holy heaven. Sin is not a minor
thing to God, it is a major thing and must be addressed honestly and
humbly. Jesus said “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The Bible says in Acts 17:30, “And
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent:.” The way of salvation is, “…repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)
Are you willing to turn to God in repentance
and ask for His mercy in salvation?
JESUS, THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION,
HAS PROVIDED FOR OUR SALVATION.
"For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Jesus
Christ paid the entire price on the cross for our sins. (1 Peter
2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by
whose stripes ye were healed." God set the price on sin, which was a
perfect sacrifice; and then God Himself gave His own Son to pay the
price. WE MUST, IN REPENTANCE
AND FAITH, RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE.
" . . .the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) God offers you freely His gift
of eternal life. This gift is yours to receive, by placing your
trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. This is a personal decision and
also an urgent decision. "Behold, now is the day of salvation." (II
Corinthians 6:2) It is foolish to procrastinate about such an
important decision. The Bible promises, "For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Whosoever
means you. We must repent to God of our sinfulness and by faith
trust completely in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ for our salvation. Nothing else will do. . . not church
membership, not baptism, not confirmation, not communion. None of
these things can save us from sin; only Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me." (John 14:6) RIGHT
NOW, YOU CAN CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, TRUSTING IN HIS DEATH ON
THE CROSS AND ASKING CHRIST TO FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS FOR YOUR
SALVATION.
In Psalms 51 David prayed
that sins might be forgiven. His prayer can serve as a model
prayer for you. Note his prayer:
Psalm 51:1-19
Have mercy
upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the
multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me
throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I
acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against
thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did
my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward
parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones
which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and
blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and
renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy
salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach
transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open
thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou
desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in
burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy
good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then
shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with
burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer
bullocks upon thine altar.
If you have trusted Christ as your Savior
today please let us know about your decision so that we might
rejoice with you and pray for you. Also if you would like to
receive some free materials to help you get started in your
Christian life let us know. Please include an address where
that we can send them. We can also try to help you find a good Bible
preaching church in your area.
|
|
