Life or Death The Choice is Yours
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
The Bible verses above tell of the ultimate judgment upon sinners. Hell and the Lake of Fire that burns with fire and brimstone are realities. This end lies ahead for all people that die in their sins.
The horrible results of sin in people’s lives and society can be easily seen in many cases. Homes are broken up because of fornication and adultery. Disease and death come by sexual immorality and perversion. (AIDS, venereal diseases,herpes, etc.) Children often grow up without the love, protection and guidance of a loving mom and dad. Drunkenness and drug abuse ruin the lives of those they enslave. The covetousness (greed) of some causes them to seek money at the expense of other’s welfare and lives. Abortion kills innocent unborn babies and often causes emotional stress for the mothers. Violence, thefts, lying and even false religions (idolatry) that sanction the killing of “infidels” add to the death, destruction and misery that is in this world. Yet all this suffering and the physical death that sin brings cannot equal the eternal judgment and torments of hell. Would a rational person choose sin and death? The results of sin are obvious to all who care to see.
Not all sin reveals its ill results so starkly. Adam disobeyed God by eating a piece of fruit that was forbidden. Seems rather innocent and harmless compared to the things mentioned before. But this sin resulted in the entrance of sin and death into the world. Adam and man were separated from God because of the offense of this sin.
This first sin by Adam reveals the essence of what all sin truly is. Sin is the transgression of the law. (1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.) That’s God’s law. And by the way, His commandments are not grievous. (1John 5:3) Rather, His commandments are meant for the good of man and society. Sin reveals the rebellion against God that is in the heart of man.
Yet, God still loves us. Man was made after the image and likeness of God. God made us to have fellowship with Him. When Adam sinned, God’s special love for man did not change. Instead, God kept His plan to provide redemption and forgiveness. God offers life –- eternal life– to you and to “whosoever will” believe on Him.
Consider the truth of the following verses:
John 3:16-18 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
For you to benefit from this great redemption that Jesus provided for all men through His shed blood; you must repent and believe the gospel. The apostle Paul said in Acts 20:20-21, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Two things are clearly necessary here:
Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
1.The essence of repentance is turning from your self-willed disobedience to God and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The emphasis is on Lord.
2.And faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ is believing the record that God has given of His Son. This record, of course, is found in the Bible.
The following verses from the Bible may help you to understand.
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; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
First:
Confession that Jesus is Lord. The bible makes it clear that:
- Jesus is God (John 1:1-3, 14)
- Jesus was born of virgin. (Matthew 1:18-23)
- Jesus lived a sinless life. (2Corinthians 5:17-21, 1Peter 2:21-24)
- Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (1John 2:2)
- Jesus was buried and rose again the third day. (1Corinthians 15:1-6)
- Jesus has now ascended to the right hand of God and will come again to rule as King in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 10:12; Revelation 19:11- 20:6)
- Jesus has been made both Lord and Christ by God the Father. (Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-11)
Second:
You must believe these truths in your heart: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesss.” The confession must come from your heart. That means you truly believe the record God has given of His Son, Jesus. The following verses show that what a man really believes will affect his life.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Choose life and avoid the second death by repenting of your sin and rebellion against God; and by receiving Jesus as the new Lord and Savior of your life.
We encourage you to attend our church where you will hear the Word of God explained during the teaching and preaching services. Here you’ll find people, who care about your soul’s destiny and will try to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you. Please feel free to contact us.
Pastor Rogerson