The Real Facts Of Life
Would you like to hear some good news?
Suppose you were standing before God and he asked you about your personal relationship to Him with this question:
"Why should I let you into my Heaven?"
What do you think you would say?
Fact 1: God Has a Purpose for you
He loves you very much. He made you and wants to have a wonderful relationship with you. He wants to give you a meaningful life here and eternal life in Heaven.
The gift of God is eternal life," according to the Bible (Romans 6:23). God has offered this free gift, but it is usually unclaimed.
Fact 2: Your Problem
Some give no thought to God or eternity. Others try to get to God through religion which is spelled
'do', because it is what people try to do to gain God's favor. But how
much is enough?
Actually, all fall short of God's perfect standard.
"For all have sinned"
(Romans 3:23).
Tragically, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). The penalty for sin and self-focused living is separation from God forever in a place of unbelievable horror called Hell.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"
(Romans 6:23).
FACT 3: Jesus Christ’s Rescue
Jesus is God and became man, living the perfect life you could never live. He did what you could not 'd-o' therefore, Christianity is spelled 'd-o-n-e.' "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) and "was
declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).
How your Substitute paid the penalty.
Imagine that someone has committed a murder and stands before the judge awaiting a death sentence. A man who loves him offers to die in his place. To be
freed, the judge must allow it, and the accused must accept the gift of loving sacrifice. Jesus died on the cross to rescue (save) you and bridge the gap between you and Heaven.
FACT 4 Your Response To God’s Rescue
"Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
This receiving involves "two sides to the same coin." In other words, you must turn from something (sin and self-focused living) to Someone (Jesus Christ and His way of life). "Repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15).
In order to turn from sin, you must change your mind (repent) about your life.
You cannot rescue yourself.
You are headed on a destructive course. Therefore, you must surrender to Jesus who loves you, who wants to rescue you and lead you.
Turning To Jesus
Turning to Jesus involves receiving His gift of forgiveness for sins, eternal life, and a new life by believing that He died for you. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Faith is not just believing facts but acting on them.
Does This Make Sense TO You?
Are you willing to turn from your sin and receive Jesus right now?
This prayer can express your heart's desire: Dear Lord Jesus...I realize that I can't rescue myself...I believe that You died for me to pay the penalty for my sins...I want to turn from my sins...I accept Your forgiveness, Your new life, and Your home in Heaven...Thank You, Lord...Help me to live for You...In Your name I pray. Amen.
We invite you to to e-mail one of our pastors and let them know about the decision you made today.
You Can Know For Sure
You can know for sure that you have eternal life and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
God promised to hear your prayer. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13).
Knowing is your right as a child of God. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life"
(I John 5:13).
We put our FAITH not in FEELINGS or what we DO but in the FACTS of God's work and His Word.
As Soon As Possible
1. Spend time with God each day in Bible reading and prayer.
2. Read the Gospel of John in a good, modern translation. Then read through the rest of the New Testament.
3.Tell a friend about your decision for Christ (Luke 8:39).
4. When "the invitation" is given after the pastor's sermon at church, go foward and demonstrate publicly your decision for Christ (Luke 8:39).
5. Be baptized by immersion in water and join a good Bible-teaching church. "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (Acts 2:41).
6. Prepare for Satan's attacks through doubts and temptaions. Confess any sins immediately and receive forgiveness (I John 1:9).
7. Attend a weekly Bible & Life Group and worship services and begin to serve Christ daily.
Used With Permission from:
© 1995 by Dr. Hayes P. Wicker, Jr. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
Copyright © 1973. 1978,1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
