There is a war waging against mankind, and it is
possible that you--like many people are oblivious to it. Maybe the
person reading this message believes in some sort of higher power.
You may consider yourself to be Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist,
or of another belief. It is "politically correct" to believe that as
individuals from various backgrounds, we should accept or be
tolerant of each other's beliefs. And we should recognize that
people have their own beliefs--that we all make CHOICES in our
lives. Although, we as individuals adhere to different religious or
philosophical beliefs; the fact that there is but one God remains
unchangeable. He is as He is. We CANNOT create Him ourselves, rather
He created us. God also gave us the power of choice.
There is One called the
Self-Existing One, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Would not God
make Himself known? Scientists throughout the years have purport
various theories--an explosion erupting from nothingness, black
holes, asteroids, and the list goes on. Even now, a group of
astronomists in the scientific community are subscribing to the
ideal of a "dark force" which is holding the entire universe
together. This type of blindness toward God has been a pivotal
factor in a battle for our souls between God and Satan--the evil
"god" of this world. Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the
world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been
made, so that men are without excuse". The Bible, the Word of God,
is another way in which God has revealed Himself to mankind. And God
revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 says "The Son
is the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of His
being."
Most of us
have been taught to live by what we can see, feel, hear, smell, or
touch. We rely on our senses. We are much less skilled in living by
what we CANNOT see. We live busy and hectic lives, consumed by work,
family, and other personal activities. People are more than physical
beings; we are more importantly, spiritual beings.
As a former atheist, I
always wondered questions such as "if there is a God, why do evil
things happen"? "Why are we here and not in heaven?" "If evolution
is true, why would we evolve so much higher than animals, with
reasoning and intellectual capabilities?" "Is there any purpose to
this existence?" "How can the universe exist with the degree of
order we see?"
God
is angry with evil, BUT He is also merciful God. God is a good God,
and all good things come from God (James 1:17). On the other hand,
Satan (the devil) and the powers of darkness are evil, and he is an
enemy against mankind. His goal is to take as many people into
eternal punishment as possible. The Bible describes Satan as a
beautiful angelic being--far from the comic image of the ugly
goat/man in red tights and a tail (Ezekiel 28). From the Bible, we
learn that there was a great war in Heaven, and Satan along with
one-third of the angels were cast out of Heaven. Revelation 20:10
describes his ultimate destiny.
Is heaven an automatic? I recall a time when a
Christian witnessing to me said "not every good person will go to
Heaven". This statement struck me as really odd, as I expected to
hear entry to Heaven would depend upon how good you were in your
lifetime. Additionally, I grew up in a Catholic background which
stressed if I did enough good things, confessed to a priest
routinely, did not commit any huge offense ...I would automatically
go to Heaven.
There
is but ONE WAY TO HEAVEN! It is NOT based on church attendance, it
is NOT based on how good or bad you might be, or on what good things
you have done for others! John 3:16 says "For God so love the world
that He gave His only Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should NOT
perish, but have everlasting life." It is based on our
belief/acceptance on obtaining redemption through Jesus Christ. It
is by His power we are able to live and abide by His Word.
John 14:6 quotes Jesus
as saying "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto
the Father, but by me." Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself so that
everyone could have everlasting life in Heaven. In John 3:3, Jesus
tells a man, "except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." What does this mean, "born again"? Being born again is to
receive a new spirit which is of God; and this is essential to
receiving eternal life. This is accomplished through accepting
salvation brought to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
None of us
know how much time we have left. There is no guarantee that everyone
alive today will be alive tomorrow. The choices we make today will
determine where we spend eternity. The Bible records Jesus saying
that before He returns, "Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and
earthquakes....and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in
the whole world as a testimony to all the nations and then the end
will come." (Matthew 24:7-14)
When God made man, He gave mankind dominion over
the earth. Genesis 1:26 states "Let us (the Trinity) make man in our
image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea
and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,
and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Chapter 3 of
Genesis, describes the "fall of man", and how mankind fell under the
curse of sin and death. Adam and Eve originally possessed spirits
ABSENT of sin. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the earth fell
under a curse, mankind would be subjected to death, and born with a
spirit APART from God. God is a Holy God, incompatible with the
sinful nature of man. There had to be a way to bridge the gap, to
SAVE mankind from eternal separation from God. Jesus Christ IS that
bridge.
Salvation
(to be born again) is supernatural. It is not contingent upon being
a member of a church, being perfect, or belonging to a particular
denomination. It is an act of faith--believing on justification
through Jesus Christ. How do you become born again? The NIV Bible
says that "if you confess with you mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe
in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.
For it is with your heart you are justified, and it is with your
mouth that you confess and are saved".
Our Savior is a living Savior. Jesus Christ is
alive. Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else, for there
is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be
saved."
God is a
forgiving and loving God. No matter what you have done, what kind of
things you are doing, what kind of person you think you are, you can
receive salvation. Just accept and believe it. Salvation requires an
act of humility, because you are asking God to forgive you of your
sins. DON'T worry about how you are going to turn from problems you
currently face, rather, SEEK the Lord who will help you overcome any
problem! Jesus did not die for the perfect. No one is perfect, we
all have sinned, and struggle in various areas. God is calling out
to you today. Make that decision today!
If you BELIEVE and wish to get saved today, pray
this out loud believing: "Heavenly Father, I believe Jesus Christ is
your Son, and that He died for me on the cross, and rose again from
the dead. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins, and I ask Jesus
Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me, and for
everlasting life. Amen."
If you prayed that believing, there are some
things you will need to do to grow in your walk with the Lord, and
to experience the fullness of power He grants to His children. On
the right hand side of this page, you will find a variety of
resources to get you started and to address additional questions.
Get a Bible. You might focus at first on reading Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John, then branch out into the Epistles. Spend time in the
Old Testament as well. Find a church that adheres to the Bible,
neither subtracting from it, or adding doctrine to it. May I also
suggest calling 1-800-NEED-HIM. They can provide a friendly ear,
pray for you, and explain any questions you have on salvation. You
can remain totally anonymous. Make that decision today! Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the bridge to everlasting life!
John 5:24
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life
"
Email address: webmasterbtelife.com
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"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Romans 1:20
Mark 12:26-27
26) And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
27) He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
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