“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12 (KJV)

On that day what will your answer be? I am a pretty good person? I would never hurt anyone? I am honest? I was born in the church nursery? I love and care for my family?

Think about this. If your goodness could save you, then why did Jesus die on the cross? The question is NOT where did we go to church, or what good deeds we did. The real question is: What is our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is true that you must have goodness to get to Heaven, but the truth is you do not possess that goodness in and of yourself.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 (KJV)

This says “all have sinned” and that includes you and me. So even at our best, we are still sinners. It is because of that sin, that we deserve an eternity separated from God.

“For the wages of sin is death;” Romans 6:23a (KJV)

“Wages” I know when I work I get paid wages. You mean I will have to pay for my sin? With death? Death is separation. Separation from the body is physical death. Separation from God is Spiritual death and an eternity in the torments of Hell.

But I have GOOD NEWS!!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Jesus paid the price for you through His grace and mercy, shedding His blood on the cross for your sins and mine. Mercy is God not giving us the punishment in Hell that we deserve. Grace is God giving us the favor and salvation in Heaven that we do not deserve.

“...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b (KJV)

We can have eternal life, not by our goodness, but only “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Perhaps now you are wondering how you can have this gift of eternal life. It is really very simple. First you need to recognize that you are a sinner. Secondly you must be genuinely sorry for your sin.

“...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” Luke 13:3 (KJV)

The word repent simply means “to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally feel compunction {guilt}); to change one’s mind or purpose.” With genuine repentance comes change in our way of thinking. By recognizing that our sin was why Jesus died on the cross, we desire to change from trusting in our ability and efforts, to now trust in what Jesus has already done for us. It is our turning from ourself to Jesus that produces a new way of living, a new direction, new purpose.

It comes down to trust, Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) says: “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; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

To confess is to “agree with God” that we are sinners and deserve to be separated from Him because of our sin, and that we cannot earn eternal life in our strength. To believe is to place our trust in Christ

Finally, ask Him to save you.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 (KJV)

Please call on Him today. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. Why not ask Him right now? You can pray from your heart a simple prayer like this one:

“Dear Lord, I now realize that I am a sinner and deserve to be separated from you. Please forgive me for my sin. I now also know that Jesus died for me and paid for my sin. I now ask you to now come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour, and to be Lord of my life. Thank You, Lord, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

If you have just prayed this prayer, will you let us know? Call, email, or stop by. We would love to walk the next steps with you.