(Matthew 7:24-27, NASB)
We have a problem!
God is a Holy God and can not allow sin in His presence.
"Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong"
(Habbakuk 1:13a NIV)
We are sinners; every one of us; we are evil.
In our natural, sinful condition, we are unacceptable before God and, as the verse in Habbakuk above shows us, God can not "look on" us or "tolerate" us in that sinful condition.
The fact of sin is that all sin, separates us from our Creator and all of us are sinners.
"as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;"
(Romans 3:10 NASB)
The common world view that "Most people are basically good" is inaccurate. A child does not lie, act selfishy, quarrel, disobey and steal because someone taught them to act in this manner, but through natural human inclinations. We instead must teach them honesty, generosity, peaceable attitudes and obedience. We must teach them right from wrong. We must teach them to be good neighbors.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
(Romans 3:23 NIV)
We are doomed by our unavoidable sin. Sin leads to spiritual and physical death, is the corruption of the soul, and provides a path for the corruption of the body. Our sinful nature leads us to natural death and eternal destruction.
"For the wages of sin is death,"
(Romans 6:23a HCSB)
We have a problem and without a solution we are not able to stand before God. There is nothing we can do on our own to satisfy Him; no works, no penance, no way on our own merit to pay the price of redemption and acceptance!
We are Lost.
God sent a solution!
"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
(Hebrews 9:22b NIV)
God loves you; He loves me. He does not wish for us to perish, so He found a solution to our problem. A sacrifice was needed and it had to be perfect. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be that sacrifice, to atone (pay the price) for our sins with His blood.
Jesus, the One True Son of the Living God, made a willful, purposeful choice. He allowed Himself to be hung on a cross, to pay the ultimate price for our sins with His blood, with His very life. He gave Himself that You and I might be set free from our deserved eternal punishment and instead enjoy eternity with a heavenly Father!
Jesus died on that cross. Jesus of Nazareth, the earthly son of a carpenter, the only begotten Son of God, was dead, but was not finished. He arose alive from the grave! Jesus was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit to prove that He is indeed the True Son of God and that He has power over death!
"For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles."
(1 Corinthians 15:3-7 HCSB)
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."
(1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
Jesus is alive for eternity and there is a way to join Him.
Accept The Gift!
"Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
(Romans 10:13 NLT)
ANYONE! That's you, that's me; it's a free gift! God offers this gift freely, ours for the taking!
"God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)"
Believe. Trust. Respond.
"Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.”
(Rev. 3:20 HCSB)
Will you answer Him?
Trust in Jesus, believe in His sacrifice and call out to Him. Ask Him to to save you. No one stands between you and Jesus. Make the choice. Call upon Him.
"So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others."
(Romans 10:9-10 CEV)
Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, we can be cleansed of our sins and stand before God.
Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, we can go to Heaven when we die and spend eternity with God!
Talk to Him; ask for forgiveness and receive the gift that only He offers and that only He can give.
He gives it freely and to all who ask.
Dear God, I am a sinner. I believe that Your Son Jesus died on the cross for me. I believe that His sacrifice paid the just price for my sins, and that if I repent of my sins and trust in Him, His blood will wash me clean. I believe that He died on the cross and rose from the grave, alive, and now sits with You, our Father in Heaven. I accept His sacrifice and do now receive Your gift to me, Jesus as my Savior and as my Lord.
What Now?
"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV)
Your new life with Jesus will require joyful effort, work and sacrifice. You will want to make some changes in your life, to grow in Him, to strengthen your new spirit and to learn of His nature.
These things are essential to your new life:
Daily reading and studying of the Word of God
A sincere prayer life.
Regular fellowship with other believers in a bible believing, bible teaching church.
Please write me and let me know if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, or, if you have any questions about Him. I want to pray for you and for your new life with Him. Praise the Mighty Name of JESUS!
May God bless you and your family as He desires.
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