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Salvation
The Bible is clear that there is a literal Heaven and a literal
Lake of Fire. Equally clear is that each of us will forever exist
in one of these two places. Eternity in God's presence, or unending,
unimaginable torment meant for the Devil himself.
Which would you prefer?
Human history is filled with attempts to gain the favor of God
and win access to Heaven. Numerous religions and philosophies have
tried to find "The Way". And yet, God Himself has already
shown the way in His word, the Bible.
Here, then, are the most important things that God wants you to
know:
1. You need to be saved.
All of us are born with a sinful nature. God's holy character cannot
ignore sin, and requires payment for it. Therefore, we are born
destined for eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation
20:11-15). We must first realize this fact: we need to be saved
from sin and eternal punishment.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans
3:23) The wages of sin is death... (Romans 6:23a)
2. You cannot save yourself.
There is nothing we can do to win our own salvation. The best we
can offer as payment falls short of God's demands. Good works, religion,
and any other human method of earning salvation will be rejected.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8,9)
3. God has provided for your salvation.
Here's the incredible part: Jesus, God the Son, loved us so much
that He became human, lived a sinless life, then died on a cross
to pay the penalty for our sins. His shed blood was the price for
our salvation. The fact that he rose from the dead means this payment
is good for all time. We can do nothing to save ourselves, but He
has done everything needed!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton
son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. (John 3:16) ...the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23b)
4. The Lord Jesus is able to save.
Because of what Jesus Christ did, God offers every living human
the opportunity to be saved. You must simply believe in Jesus, accepting
His payment and relying on Him to save you.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved. (Romans 10:13) He is able to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession
for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
It's a matter of eternal life or death. What is your response?
Will you believe and accept this wonderful gift now, or will you
reject salvation by doing nothing or by trying to earn your own
way into heaven?
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