Where will you spend eternity? We all have that question in the back of our minds. There are many ideas floating around out there; however, only God's Word will matter, and He put it in print so we would not be misled and miss Heaven. Here are those very clear scriptures:
- We all have a problem with sin. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, "There is none righteous, no, not one."
- You are a sinner separated from God by those sins. Isaiah 59:2, "...your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
- There is a penalty. Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death..."
- We are not without hope. Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- God's part is grace and a gift - Grace defined is "unearned and undeserved kindness, forgiveness and favor." Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God" - That gift is His only Son. John 3:16, "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."
- Your part requires repentance and faith. Luke 13:3, "...except you repent, you shall all likewise perish." - Repentance is a genuine heart's sorrow over the wrongs done in this life and a committed desire to want to do better. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God." Romans 10:9-10, "That if thou shalt confess 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..." - Faith is believing in a God you cannot see and His promise to forgive those who ask Him.
- God never lies. Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man, that he should lie."
- His Word to you is a guarantee to an open door. Acts 16:31, "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." John 6:37, " ...him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out."
Now, so that we would not misunderstand, or be misled, God lets us witness in his Word the very moment when someone finds that forgiveness and salvation. On the same day that God's Son pays for our sins on the cross, there are two thieves dying for their sins. One appeals to the Lord to get them down. We understand that. No one wants to suffer and die. The other thief corrects the first one and confesses that they have sinned and deserve their punishment, but he says of Jesus, "...this man hath done nothing amiss..." Then he turns and appeals to Jesus for forgiveness. Just as taught in these verses, he is saved by grace through faith. He never leaves the cross to join a church, or be baptized, or do good things to others. He died, BUT not before hearing the Lord acknowledge his prayer and say to him, "...To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." You can read that entire narrative in Luke 23:32-43.
Sounds too good to be true? We are suspicious when we get something for nothing. Though it is true that it cost you nothing, because God loved you and because Jesus loved you (and still does), it cost the Father His Son and it cost the Son His life.
Because the price has been paid, you can stop where you are right now, and find a FOREVER FORGIVENESS by a FOREVER SAVIOR. Let me suggest a prayer, but I remind you that the words will have to come from your heart, not mine.
Father, I am a sinner. There have been so many things I wish I could undo. I am asking you to forgive those things and to save me. I believe you would never lie, and I believe you hear me now and know my heart. In Jesus' name...amen.
If you've prayed that prayer, and you have faith that God heard you and forgave you, then you are forever His.
Let me encourage you to find a Bible and to read of the crucifixion in Luke 23. You will find daily assurance of your answered prayer. Then, to know that what you have done can never be taken away, let me encourage you to read Romans 8:32-39. You will find there that NOTHING can separate you from God's love.
If you have made this decision, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us by phone at (573) 468-3334 or email at office@ntbcsullivan.com.