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_ It is my prayer that you will take some time to think about your life and where you find yourself at this very moment. It is no accident that you have come to this web site and specifically to this page. You might be wealthy beyond comprehension, middle class, or perhaps you are struggling just to make ends meet. You might be a student in grade school, middle school, high school, or college. Whatever your social background or current situation is, I want you to know that the truth that is about to be shared is for all, and that it is God’s word and not my own. The most important decision you will ever make in your life will determine your destiny for all of eternity.
I. The Position of Man
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” You may be asking yourself where did sin come from. The Bible teaches us in Romans 5:12: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” That man was Adam, and when he chose to defy God’s command, sin entered into the world, and death by sin. Genesis 2:16 – 17 gives us the command given by God to Adam: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” In Genesis 3:6–7, the Bible teaches us that Adam did indeed eat from the tree and in doing so his sin against God had an effect on all of mankind. The sinful nature of Adam has been passed on to all who have been born after Adam. The position of man is that he or she is a sinner, and according to the Bible we are, “dead in our trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
2. The Price Owed by Man
The Bible says in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” We owe a penalty for our sins. The death that is spoken of in the aforementioned verse runs deeper than if I were to die from an illness, accident, or by any other means. It is what the Bible describes as the second death. Revelations 20:14 says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Imagine if you had broken the law and the judge finds you guilty. You owe a penalty for the crimes you have committed, and that penalty is a $50,000 fine. Just as there would be a price owed for breaking the law we must understand so much more that according to God’s word, we are all guilty. Why is that? Because all have sinned and if we pay what we owe for our sins we will experience the second death, being cast into the lake of fire forever. Too many believe that they can pay off the debt they owe with the good things that they do, and in doing so they can save themselves. My friend, the price (or debt) owed by man can never be paid by man. Left to ourselves, we cannot change our eternal destiny with our sins being upon us.
3. The Provision from God
It’s been said, “It’s the bad news that makes the good news good.” When we understand the position we are in and the price that we owe according to God’s word, it looks like there is no hope. However, my friend, I have some good news straight out of the Word of God. Romans 5:8 is wonderful news! It says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The word “commendeth” means that God showed, or demonstrated, His love by allowing Jesus Christ to die in our place. He was our substitute. Jesus Christ took upon His self, the sins of man. The Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The Bible also says, “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) Not only did Christ take our sins upon Him, but also the punishment that was meant for us. The Bible says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) The provision from God is Jesus Christ; and through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross, the position of man is changed and the price owed by man has been paid. It is finished. Jesus said “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” (John 10:9) Jesus also said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way to forgiveness. Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation and Jesus Christ is the only security you will ever have that you are going to Heaven.
4. The Decision for All
Knowing our position and the price that we owe, but also knowing the provision that God has made available through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a decision for all to make. The Bible says in Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You see, it is an individual thing. It is a personal thing that we call on Christ to save us. We cannot be saved because our mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, husband or wife is saved. We cannot ride on the coat tails of another and hope for heaven. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-11 “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. For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.” The Bible also teaches us in Acts 20:21 “Repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” We repent when we put our trust in Jesus and the price He paid. I have a question for you. What decision, if any, have you made? Who or what are you trusting in for the forgiveness of your sins? The Bible teaches us that we cannot save ourselves. Titus 3:5 tells us “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Based on God’s word that you have read throughout this plea to you, surely you can see that there is only one way to be saved. It is through Jesus Christ. You may be asking yourself, “How can I be saved?” The answer is easy. You can call on Him, right where you are, at this very moment. Knowing you are a sinner and that there is a price to pay for your sins, but also that God sent his Son to die for your sins, from your heart, pray this prayer:
O God, I’m a sinner. I’m lost, and I need to be saved. I know I can’t save myself. So right now, once and for all, I’m trusting in You to save me. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and make me Your child. I give You my life. I will live for You as You give me strength.
If you have sincerely called on the Lord, I want you to have assurance of your salvation. The Bible says, and these are the words of Jesus, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) Jesus has promised, from the scripture, that He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith.
If you have made a decision for Christ, I share in your joy and would like for you to email us here at A Call to the World Ministry. My prayer for you is that you will be strengthened and encouraged, and that the Lord will continue to do a mighty work in your heart and life. I also pray that you would share with someone the wonderful news that you have been saved.
I. The Position of Man
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” You may be asking yourself where did sin come from. The Bible teaches us in Romans 5:12: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” That man was Adam, and when he chose to defy God’s command, sin entered into the world, and death by sin. Genesis 2:16 – 17 gives us the command given by God to Adam: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” In Genesis 3:6–7, the Bible teaches us that Adam did indeed eat from the tree and in doing so his sin against God had an effect on all of mankind. The sinful nature of Adam has been passed on to all who have been born after Adam. The position of man is that he or she is a sinner, and according to the Bible we are, “dead in our trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
2. The Price Owed by Man
The Bible says in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” We owe a penalty for our sins. The death that is spoken of in the aforementioned verse runs deeper than if I were to die from an illness, accident, or by any other means. It is what the Bible describes as the second death. Revelations 20:14 says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Imagine if you had broken the law and the judge finds you guilty. You owe a penalty for the crimes you have committed, and that penalty is a $50,000 fine. Just as there would be a price owed for breaking the law we must understand so much more that according to God’s word, we are all guilty. Why is that? Because all have sinned and if we pay what we owe for our sins we will experience the second death, being cast into the lake of fire forever. Too many believe that they can pay off the debt they owe with the good things that they do, and in doing so they can save themselves. My friend, the price (or debt) owed by man can never be paid by man. Left to ourselves, we cannot change our eternal destiny with our sins being upon us.
3. The Provision from God
It’s been said, “It’s the bad news that makes the good news good.” When we understand the position we are in and the price that we owe according to God’s word, it looks like there is no hope. However, my friend, I have some good news straight out of the Word of God. Romans 5:8 is wonderful news! It says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The word “commendeth” means that God showed, or demonstrated, His love by allowing Jesus Christ to die in our place. He was our substitute. Jesus Christ took upon His self, the sins of man. The Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The Bible also says, “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) Not only did Christ take our sins upon Him, but also the punishment that was meant for us. The Bible says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) The provision from God is Jesus Christ; and through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross, the position of man is changed and the price owed by man has been paid. It is finished. Jesus said “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” (John 10:9) Jesus also said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way to forgiveness. Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation and Jesus Christ is the only security you will ever have that you are going to Heaven.
4. The Decision for All
Knowing our position and the price that we owe, but also knowing the provision that God has made available through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a decision for all to make. The Bible says in Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You see, it is an individual thing. It is a personal thing that we call on Christ to save us. We cannot be saved because our mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, husband or wife is saved. We cannot ride on the coat tails of another and hope for heaven. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-11 “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. For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.” The Bible also teaches us in Acts 20:21 “Repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” We repent when we put our trust in Jesus and the price He paid. I have a question for you. What decision, if any, have you made? Who or what are you trusting in for the forgiveness of your sins? The Bible teaches us that we cannot save ourselves. Titus 3:5 tells us “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Based on God’s word that you have read throughout this plea to you, surely you can see that there is only one way to be saved. It is through Jesus Christ. You may be asking yourself, “How can I be saved?” The answer is easy. You can call on Him, right where you are, at this very moment. Knowing you are a sinner and that there is a price to pay for your sins, but also that God sent his Son to die for your sins, from your heart, pray this prayer:
O God, I’m a sinner. I’m lost, and I need to be saved. I know I can’t save myself. So right now, once and for all, I’m trusting in You to save me. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and make me Your child. I give You my life. I will live for You as You give me strength.
If you have sincerely called on the Lord, I want you to have assurance of your salvation. The Bible says, and these are the words of Jesus, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) Jesus has promised, from the scripture, that He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith.
If you have made a decision for Christ, I share in your joy and would like for you to email us here at A Call to the World Ministry. My prayer for you is that you will be strengthened and encouraged, and that the Lord will continue to do a mighty work in your heart and life. I also pray that you would share with someone the wonderful news that you have been saved.