We make decisions every day, some are more important than others, but all have consequences. There is one decision that is more important than all others, in fact …
It’s the difference between heaven and hell!
Most people I talk with claim to be Christians and on their way to heaven, but the way they live their lives presents a very different reality. I pretended to be a Christian for many years, but my life demonstrated something quite different.
I told myself that I was OK. I attended church and was baptized as a child, but something wasn’t right. I couldn’t deny the reality that my actions proved I wasn’t a “real” Christian.
Our decision can’t be based on what we’ve been taught, but rather on what the Bible teaches. One day we’ll all appear before God and be judged according to His Word. () We can’t just accept what’s appealing, we must find the truth as it is in the Bible.
The Bible teaches that obedience to God shows if someone is truly saved. says “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him…” Examine yourself according to the Bible. Is your life an example of a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, or are you a “phony” like I was?
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
That was a question asked to Paul by the Philippian Jailor ((). Even though it happened over 2000 years ago, it’s still relevant today. Do you know what you must do to be saved? Are you saved already? Are you Lost? Are You Sure?
HEAVEN OR HELL DEPENDS ON YOUR ANSWER!
First, being “saved” from hell is not about religion or becoming religious! It has nothing to do with attending or joining a church, being baptized, taking communion, or going through a confirmation or discipleship class.
It’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus told a religious leader of his time “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ()
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God. He became a man, while still being God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He left heaven to reveal God to man and to redeem us from the penalty of our sin.
The Bible teaches that Jesus completed our redemption by His death and resurrection. This makes heaven possible for anyone who will place their faith and trust in Him and His completed work. () Jesus loved you so much, He was willing to give His life for you!
THERE ARE FOUR STEPS TO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
1. RECOGNIZE YOUR CONDITION
To be saved, we must admit that we are lost in our sin. The Bible teaches us that ever since Adam and Eve, a sinful nature exists in everyone. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ()
Sin is anything contrary to God’s commandments, just like when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the garden. The sins that we’ve committed separate us from God. Whenever we break the law, there’s a penalty. We all understand this as nearly all of us have paid a fine of some kind.
God sees every time we break His commandments – even if no one else does. says: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
That’s a fearful thought!
There’s no one that can say they’ve never violated at least 1 of the 10 Commandments! Sin has a penalty. says, “For the wages of sin is death…” According to the Bible, the “wage” or penalty for sin is spiritual death and separation from God in hell. says “The wicked shall be turned into hell…”
2. RELIGION AND GOOD WORKS ARE NOT THE ANSWER
All religions try to create their own way to God. Our religion may seem logical, it may be our tradition, but Religion cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. 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 religion are not what matters.
The Bible has the only trustworthy answer to God’s Grace and Forgiveness. The Bible says in , “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”.
3. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD PROVIDED THE WAY
By nature, we’re lost and separated from God. But He loves us and sent Jesus to die on the Cross and then raised Him from the dead. says “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.”
By His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. He took the punishment we deserved! If we will personally receive Jesus, we don’t have to pay for our sins! By God’s Mercy, our Salvation is provided! says, “But God commendeth [proved] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”. [in our place]
4. REPENT AND BELIEVE TO RECEIVE SALVATION
To have a relationship with God and a home in Heaven, we must turn from our sin and our efforts to save ourselves and place our full faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.
The apostle Paul preached “…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus himself said “…repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The Bible says “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
Repentance is not about turning over a new leaf or reforming our lifestyle. Rather, it’s a heart change about our sin. In other words, seeing our sin as God sees it, and wanting deliverance from it. says “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Belief is more than just agreeing with some facts about Jesus. It’s relying on Jesus alone to forgive our sins, satisfy God’s wrath, and declare us righteous before God.
says, “That if thou shalt confess (admit your guilt) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That’s a promise from God’s Word that if you will pray to Him, admit you’re a sinner, ask for forgiveness, and trust Him to be your Savior, – then He promises to save you and give you eternal life.
You can make this decision today by praying to God in faith.
Don’t put it off! No one knows what tomorrow holds.
In your own words, the best you know how, pray, and ask God to forgive you and save you. You’ll never regret that decision! A man in the Bible put it this way, he said “…God be merciful to me a sinner.” Then Jesus said: “I tell you; this man went down to his house justified…”
If you have just trusted Christ, I would love to know about your decision and give you a Bible and some other materials to help you grow in your new relationship with Christ!
Questions? Comments? Need Prayer? – Text or call me today!
Missionary Tim Urling – 915-302-0008