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Please
ask yourself three extremely important questions:
1. Do you have a
sincere desire to serve and please God?
2.
Do you know for certain that you will spend eternity with
God? If you are not
sure, please take the time to read on.
The Bible does say “these
things have I written unto you that you may know that you have
eternal life.” I John 5:13
3. What would you say to God if He asked you, “why should I
let you into heaven?"
If
you do not know exactly why you deserve to spend eternity with
God, you are not alone because the vast majority of persons today
are not quite sure about this.
In any case, it would be good if you take a piece of paper
and write down your answer so that you will have record of this
very interesting topic. After
you have written down your answer to God’s question, please
read on about the “Purpose of Man.”
God’s
Purpose for Man: Honor
and Serve Him
God
created man to honor, serve, and fellowship with Him.
The
Bible says…
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and
power: for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they
are and were created. Revelation
4:11
“Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.” I
Corinthians 10:31
“Thou
wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy:
at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more.”
Psalms 16:11
If
God’s purpose for mankind is to honor, serve, and fellowship
with Him, then what happened that destroyed this perfect
relationship?
Mankind’s
Problem: Sin
Man
chose to sin against God rather than serve Him.
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The
Bible says…
“For
all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23
What
does it mean to sin against God?
Sin
is breaking God’s law. (I
John 3:4)
We
sin by doing what God has commanded us not to do (lying, cheating,
anger, impure thoughts, swearing, improper sexual activities,
selfishness, bitterness, etc.) or by
not doing what God has told us to do (not being lazy, not loving
our neighbor, not parenting our children correctly, not caring for
creation, etc.).
I
don't know about you, but I am very much in trouble considering
things I think and do as well as things that I find lacking in my
own character. Frankly, if everyone was honest about this,
even the best woman or man who ever lived would have to admit to
being a failure when it comes to controlling appetites, thoughts,
passions, laziness and selfishness.
"For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good,
and sinneth not." Ecclesiastes 7:20
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Sin’s
Penalty: The Problem
of Eternal Death |
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The
Bible says…
“For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
When
man chose to disobey God, the result was death, or a separation
from Him. This
translates into the death of a relationship and lack of spiritual
communion with the Creator. It
also resulted in a barrier or gulf between God and man.
The Bible teaches that there are three types of death or
separation, which result from sin.
Spiritual
death separates a person from the life of God (Ephesians 2:1).
Physical
death separates a person’s soul from his or her body (Hebrews
9:27).
Eternal
death separates a person, both soul and body, from God forever in
Hell (Revelation 20:15).
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Man’s
Attempt To Solve the Problem:
He
tries to solve it on his own merits.
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Throughout
history individuals have tried many ways to earn eternal life, but
every attempt has been unsuccessful.
The
Bible says…
“There
is a way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof is the way
of death.” Proverbs
14:12
“Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us.” Titus
3:5a
“For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves;
it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 & 9
This
is where most people find themselves; trying or pretending to be good
enough. Please note that
even church membership, baptism or any kind of good deed does not
merit God's favor.
This is
the time to review your answer to God’s question: “Why should
I let you into heaven?” If
you are like most people, you will have listed the things that you
have done to hopefully earn eternal life or just simply that you
try to be a good person. Please recognize that this is the human perspective and not
God’s solution.
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God’s
Solution – Christ’s Death (Our Substitute)
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God
has solved this problem in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ - God’s sinless Son,
who was sent by the Father to pay the penalty for
our sins by dying on the cross in our place.
The
Bible says…
“But
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
“For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God.”
I Peter 3:18a
“For
He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might
be made the
righteousness of God in Him.”
II Corinthians 5:21
“All
we like sheep have gone astray:; We have turned everyone to his
own way;. and, the
Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah
53:6
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Claim
Your Pardon – Turn & Trust |
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How
do we claim the Pardon for our sin and receive the gift of eternal
life? We must receive
Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Jesus
said, “I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by
me. John 14:6
In
order for you to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, you must stop
trusting in what you have done, repent or turn from your sin and put
your trust in Jesus alone as the only hope for eternal life.
Many persons who think they are Christians, because of church
affiliation or some acts they performed in order to become a
Christian, are actually not "children of God" because they
have mixed their own good works into the equation.
The
Bible says…
Repent
ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out.” Acts 3:19a
“Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31a
“For
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be
saved.” Romans
10:13
Jesus
says: "come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give
you rest."
Christianity
is the only faith that says "come." All others say
"do something to possibly earn eternal life."
Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him.
"If thou
shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in
thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shall be
saved." Romans 10:9
Jesus not only paid the penalty for your sin, but He rose from the
dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father where He
intercedes for all believers.
This
is the place where many people stop.
It is very easy to allow pride to hinder your thought
process here. If you
sense no leading of God right now, please pray that you will some
day. But for you who
may sense God’s moving of your heart, ask yourself - have the
scriptures above drawn you and do you see yourself in need of a
relationship with your Creator? If so, then God is speaking to your inner being as a loving
Father calling to a wayward child.
Do not put off His calling for He will not call on you
forever.
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Promises You Eternal Life: A New Life
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Jesus
Christ said, “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
Will
you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior today?
To
do so you must pray to God…
1. Admit
that you have sinned against God, be willing to turn from this sin and ask Him for forgiveness.
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God Who died for you on
the cross to pay the penalty for your sin and to purchase a place
for you in heaven. He then rose from the grave and conquered
sin and death on your behalf.
3. Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you
and give you eternal life.
If
you have prayed these things without reservation, you can be sure
that you are part of the “Family of God." If you are a true child of God, it is important that you identify with your Savior by being baptized right away. It is also critical that you find a local fellowship of believers, a church where you can grow and serve. You should not delay with this as it very important for your faith and a victorious life.
It
is important that you understand the principles of a blessed
Christian life. We
would love to help you to experience the most that God has for
you.
Please
share with me your decision and any needs or questions that you
may have. Email
to me today - dnyce@pilgrimtours.com
"Salvation,
True Christianity, Christian Faith, Christian Belief,
Born Again,
Eternal Life,
The Purpose of
Man"
These topics are all part of an age old question and need within
each person.
Everyone must come to a conclusion on their own. This page
is designed to help you understand the terms from a Biblical
Perspective.
Why
I left Islam for Christ
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