The Gospel
Eternal life is a gift from God (Romans 6:23)
available free for the asking because of a love
story written in blood on a wooden cross 2000
years ago. Without this wonderful gift, mankind
is eternally separated from God and will suffer
everlasting punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
God is holy and righteous (Habbakuk 1:2) and
must punish sin (Exodus 34:6,7). Everyone is conceived
in sin, born a sinner and enters the world under
the judg-ment of God (Romans 3:10,23). The penalty
of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and the second
death is the eter-nal lake of fire (Revelation
20:14).
We can be reconciled to God only through His
Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus, the second
Person of the triune God, lived a perfectly righteous
life by obeying (Hebrews 7:26) and fulfilling
the law of God (Colossians 2:14). God demands
perfect righteousness to enter heaven (Revelation
21:27). Since it is impossible for sinners to
become righteous, God offers us the righteousness
of His Son as a gift (Romans 5:17) to those who
come to Him with empty hands of faith. God justifies
(declares righteous) the wicked by their faith
in the only righteous One-Jesus Christ (Romans
4:5). Those God justifies, He will glorify (Romans
8:30).
Eternal life is free to all who receive it by
faith alone because Jesus paid the ransom for
our redemption with His shed blood (Titus 2:13,14).
Jesus, the sinless Savior, took upon Himself the
wrath of God, paying the death penalty that God
demands for sinners (Romans 5:8).
The gift of eternal life can only be received
by repentance (Acts 3:19) and faith (John 3:36).
This gift is eternally secure because God's gifts
are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
Salvation can only be received by grace, God's
ability through the finished work of Calvary's
cross (Ephesians 2:8,9). It cannot be merited
by righteous deeds (Titus 3:5) because anyone
who attempts to earn acceptance before God by
their own works nullifies the grace of God (Romans
11:6).
Those who receive Jesus Christ by faith are adopted
into God's eternal family (John 1:12) and nothing
can ever separate them from God's love (Romans
8:28,29). Jesus Christ loses no one that the Father
gives Him (John 6:39).
Have you received God's gift of eternal life?
Do you know if all your sins are completely forgiven?
Do you know if you have been reconciled to God?
If not, why not forsake all attempts to save yourself,
repent from your dead works (Hebrews 6:1) and
put all your trust and confidence in the Lord
Jesus Christ. Believe the promises of God as revealed
in His Holy Word. Then find a church that has
Biblical integrity so you can worship God in Spirit
and Truth (John 4:24). This will help you grow
in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, our
wonderful Savior.
PRAYER OF SURRENDER
Father, I surrender my life to Your plan for
me. I believe that You sent Your Son Jesus to
take my sin, guilt and pain upon Himself, so that
I could be made right with You. I believe my sins
are completely forgiven because of the precious
blood of Jesus. Forgive me for trying to save
myself by my own good works. I turn to You with
all my heart, and trust only in the finished work
of Calvary. Thank you for this awesome gift of
eternal life. Thank you for taking up residence
in my heart and for inviting me into your glorious
Kingdom. I commit my life to serving before Your
throne forever. Amen!
|
