You may be asking, "Is this all there is to life?"
This may be the most important question you will ever ask, and if you've ever asked yourself that question, you're not alone. The truth is, there is an amazing future after this life that is available to everyone. That future is in a real place called heaven, and God desires each of us to live there forever. How is that possible?
The answer is surprisingly easy - heaven is a free gift from God, all we have to do is accept it through faith.
Many people have the wrong idea - that we have to earn heaven. The common misconception is that as long as we are good enough and behave ourselves, then God will let us in. Think about it...if heaven is a perfect place, then we have to be perfect to get in. Is there anyone who is perfect? No. Therefore logic dictates that no one would be in heaven. No, just being a good person is not the way.
God, however, is perfect. He has perfect love, which means He wants everyone to be with Him in heaven. But He is also perfectly fair, which means no one would be in heaven. God solved this apparent conflict through His son, Jesus.
Jesus was all man, and at the same time all God. God's fairness dictated that there had to be a penalty for our sins, but God's love was so incredible that He actually sent His son to take the punishment that we deserve. This happened on the cross. An amazing verse from the Bible explains this: "But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him." *
Because the penalty for our sins was paid by Jesus, then we are free and clear to enter into heaven. All we have to do is to believe and accept that Jesus is God's son and died for our sins. This famous verse from the Bible sums it all up: "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)
The A,B,C's of the Gospel
Admit you're a sinner. Everyone has done things that displease a Holy God. No one can live up to His standards. He says no sin can enter heaven. Something must be done to get rid of your sin.
Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Revelation 21:27 “There shall by no means enter it (heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Believe Jesus died on the cross for you. God loves you and wants you to become His child. He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to shed His blood to save you from your sins. He took your place on the cross, and suffered the punishment you deserve.
Believe that He died for you, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
1 Peter 2:24 “Who Himself (Jesus) bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.”
Colossians 1:14 “In whom (Jesus) we have redemption (salvation) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Confess your sinfulness to God, and turn from it. Call upon Jesus to save you-trust in Him as your Savior from sin. This may be a simple but sincere cry from your heart, or it may be expressed out loud.
Luke 18:13 “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you believe in Jesus and have placed your faith and trust in Him, God has forgiven you. Then you, along with all the others who believe in Jesus, will spend eternity in heaven with Him.
You can recieve the gift of eternal life right now by honestly praying to God. Here is a suggestion of what to say to Him: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and do not deserve heaven. I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I believe that You sent Your son Jesus to take the punishement that I deserve, so that I can enter heaven. I now accept Jesus as my personal Savior, saving me from the punishment that I deserve. Through faith, I believe. Thank You!
As you begin your amazing journey of faith, you are encouraged to speak to Pastor Jason or, your Pastor if you don't attend Fairlawn, and surround yourself with people who can help you continue to move toward Christ.
