"What must I do to be saved?"
This was a question that a rich young ruler once asked Jesus. Today we don't hear that question all that much and so I would like to share with you what true salvation is all about. But first I must ask you a few simple questions. Be honest with your answers. Here they are;
1. Have you ever told a lie?
2. Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours regardless of its value or worth?
3 Have you used Gods name in a bad way such as a curse word?
4. Have you ever looked upon another person in lust wishing you could have sex with him or her even if that fantasy was never realized?
5. Have you ever hated anyone?
If you are like everyone else in this world, including me, you have answered "yes" to at least one of the above questions. And depending on which (or all) that you have answered affirmatively, you are either a liar, thief, blasphemer, adulterer or murderer at heart and you have broken Gods strict standard of conduct for His creation and thereby you are a sinner. God wrote in His manual to us, the Bible, what the punishment for sin is; separation from Him in a hell that burns with everlasting fire and torment. It is an eternally just and righteous judgement from an eternally just and righteous God and there is no escape but one.
Because God, in His loving mercy, decided to take away the punishment that is due everyone of us and place our sin on His one and only son Jesus Christ who was beaten and crucified, so that we could see Him for who He truly is, a loving Father, to everyone who repents (that means turning away from sin) and places their faith and trust in Jesus. You see, God sent His son Jesus to pay our debt and release us from the bondage of sin and spiritual death in hell.
Have you sincerely repented and begged God for mercy? I'm not talking about taking a stroll down the aisle at church and repeating some prayer but earnestly begging God for forgiveness and trusting in Jesus' atoning work on the cross. Only there will you find true salvation and peace.
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