…you were to die today? Are you ready? Would you be scared? Have you considered what happens after this life?
I. The Problem:
Each of us is created by God, who intended for us to be in a perfect relationship together forever with Him. But sin entered the world through man’s disobedience to God and it severed our bond with Him. Sin is rebellion against God, in our thoughts or actions. As a result, man is born separated from God, with no way to close that gap or be “good enough” to earn our way back into a right relationship because God is perfect and our sin makes us imperfect. The Bible, God’s word to us, says that here:
“For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2:10)
It does not matter how good of a life you try to live by helping others or going to church, you are not perfect. Our imperfection and sin mean we cannot live with God forever in Heaven. Our sin status, by default at birth, separates us from God, during this life and after we die. Our sin comes with a price tag: spiritual death and separation from God in a place called Hell.
“The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Sin breaks God’s heart because, like a Father with his child, God loves us passionately and wants us to be with Him. The Bible talks about God’s love for us and his plan for reconciliation with us here:
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
That means there is GOOD NEWS! God loves us so much and wants to reunite with us, that He took matters into His own hands and provided a way for us to be with Him!
II. God’s Solution:
“Christ died for our sins…. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Jesus Christ, God’s son, died publicly on a cross in our place when he was innocent. God then raised Jesus from the dead proving his power over death and that he is God. That means our sin-debt is already paid! God provided a solution through Jesus Christ for us to be at peace with Him now and live with Him forever when we die. He offers forgiveness for your sins when you ask Him because Jesus paid your penalty price for you. We each have a choice whether to believe in Jesus and accept his gift of pardon, or reject Jesus’ payment for our sin and have to pay it ourselves There is no other way to be at peace with God except through believing in what Jesus did on the cross. When we admit we are sinful and at conflict with God and realize how desperately we need to be saved from our destiny in Hell we are ready to receive God’s gift of salvation and He gives it to us freely. Jesus says in the Bible:
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)
III. Your Decision
If you want to make your relationship right with God by placing your trust in Jesus as your savior, below is a prayer you can pray. These words are not magic. These words do not save you. You are only saved by God’s grace through your faith in Jesus, and God credits Jesus’ righteousness to you. This is just an example prayer that puts words to your new faith in Jesus Christ as you ask to receive His gift:
“Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask you to forgive me. I believe you are the Son of God, and that you died in place of me for my sins. I believe you took my penalty I deserve and that you rose from the grave. Jesus, I place my trust in you and what you did for me. Thank you for your gift of a repaired relationship with you and eternity in heaven with you when I die. I pray this in your name, Jesus, Amen.”
Congratulations! If you have faith in Jesus the Bible says: “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
And: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Please tell us or tell a pastor at a church near you about your new decision to follow Jesus! You can also call 1-888-NEED-HIM to talk with someone immediately.