Did you know that the God of Heaven - the Creator of the universe desires a relationship with you? He has made it possible through the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Follow along through the scriptures below to see how this relationship can be yours today.
In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must admit I am lost in sin. Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God. Whenever I have been lost, I have paid some type of penalty. I have been late to a special event and, on occasion, I have received a speeding ticket. Sin also has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death, and eternal separation from God.
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the Cross and raise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains “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.”Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin. He took our place as our Substitute! Now, we do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home with Him, we must lay aside our own efforts to save ourselves and instead place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. Without repentance there can be no salvation, but repentance is not "us" turning from our sin to God for salvation, for if it were possible for us to turn from our sin, would that not be a work salvation and where is the need of our Saviour?
Repentance is a change of heart of who we are (sinners) and who He is (Saviour) and being sorry for our sin because we see ourselves the way He sees us. We then repent and choose Him and allow Him in salvation to change our course of life being made a new creation in Christ through His blood.
Again, Repentance is not about turning over a new leaf or reforming your lifestyle within your own effort; it's about you having a heart change about your sin, seeing it as God sees it, and wanting deliverance from it. Belief means more than just agreeing with some facts about Jesus. Rather, it is completely relying upon Jesus and Him alone in forgiving your sin, satisfying the Father's wrath, and declaring you righteous before a holy God.
In Roman 10:13 the Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him with understanding that you are confessing that you are a sinner, asking Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Savior, then He promises to save you and to give you the free gift of eternal life He purchased for you. You can make that decision today by calling out to God in faith.
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