Where Will You Spend Eternity?
This is a question we all have thought about at one time or another. It is a good question because eternity is a long time and we only have a few years on this earth in which to choose our eternal destiny. So what do you need to know in order to make a wise choice?
First of all, you need to know that God created you, knows you and desires to have a relationship with you.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. (Psalm 139)
—However the God of the universe doesn’t force us to do anything. While He calls out to us and has even made a way for us to have a relationship with Him, He leaves the choice to us.
–There is only one thing that keeps us from the presence of a holy God. Our sin. Sin is rebellion and disobedience to God’s commands. It began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, however, we are all sinful and have disobeyed God’s commands.
Our condition: “All (I) have sinned” (Romans 3:23)
Our penalty: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
Because God the Father loves us, He chose not to leave us in our sin but to provide a way out from the bondage and penalty of sin. That escape from eternal death is only through His Son, Jesus and the blood Jesus shed for our sins on the cross of Calvary.
“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
“ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
God is holy, pure and righteous and our sin is offensive to God. Therefore, God sent Jesus to take our punishment so we could escape the penalty of death and be granted eternal life and access into the holy presence of God. The scripture says that the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7)
“…Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Romans 5:6-10)
Third, confess and repent of your sins.
—The forgiveness Jesus offers to us is a gift. We cannot earn it and we don’t deserve it. It is a gift from God when we come to him and confess our sins (admit sin is wrong) and repent of those sins (repent means to turn from sin to God). Remember, God doesn’t demand perfection, just a repentant and obedient heart. No sin will enter heaven and that is why God chose Jesus as the sinless and perfect sacrifice to cancel our sin debt. Jesus did this so we can be forgiven, clean and holy in God’s sight. When we accept Jesus payment for our sins, God looks at us and doesn’t see our sin, but the blood of His Son which takes our sins away. Only Jesus can make us holy in God’s sight.
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. (Romans 10:9)
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)
—Pray:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner and realize my sins are offensive to you. Today I ask your forgiveness and choose to repent and turn from my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place so I can be your child. I choose to follow you, love and obey your Word. Thank you for loving me and providing for my salvation. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Fourth, proclaim God as your God and Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
If you chose to pray the above prayer and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, we would be thrilled to hear about your decision. Please use the contact tab and email us concerning your decision or call the church office. We also have Bibles and discipleship materials available upon request