Dear reader,
ETERNITY IS A VERY LONG TIME TO BE WRONG!
With this in mind, carefully read what God’s Word, the Holy Bible, says about your eternal destination.
1. He cannot lie. The Bible reads, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Titus 1:2).
2. He cannot change. The Word of God also states, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6).
3. He cannot allow anyone into Heaven unless they have been born again. Scripture affirms this truth, “...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Consider the Amazing Wonder of The Holy Bible
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16). On the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Tom Lavis of the Johnstown, PA, wrote this article in the Tribune-Democrat:
“If the world is looking for a sign of hope in the turmoil that erupted on September 11, 2001, it may have found it. Teams of emergency personnel who responded to the crash of Flight 93 near Shanksville made an amazing discovery that shocked and inspired them. Resting not far from the smoldering, 25-foot-deep crater where 40 innocent victims perished, firefighters found a Bible that was barely singed.” we have been eternally forgiven and have a place reserved for us in Heaven. He gives us this confidence in His Word:
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:9-13) (underline added)
This remarkable article reveals that God has preserved His Word in this contemporary world so we can know His mind. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Critics have tried to discredit the Bible, the devil questions It, God-haters have attempted to burn It, educators ridicule It, and our federal government has tried to remove It from all their institutions. However, the True God of Heaven has preserved His Word forever! It could be that God just wanted to show the world that even a literal fire that consumed everything in just minutes could not burn what He has established as truth! “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
THE BIBLE IS THE MIND OF GOD THROUGH THE MOUTH OF JESUS
The Word of God has delivered redemption’s plan to all of humanity, “...and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God...” (Amos 4:12). Bible Christianity is a personal relationship with the God of Heaven, through Jesus Christ (God the Son), and confirmed in the hearts of Christians by God the Holy Spirit. “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).
Only Bible-believing Christians have the assurance of eternal security; all other religions demand good works for their god and never disclose Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). A follower of a works-oriented religion once said that he flies on two wings, one the wing of hope and the other wing is fear! “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Since God does not give the spirit of fear, then it must come from Satan—the mastermind behind all works- oriented religions. “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). The peace (rest) Jesus offers comes with trusting His work on the cross as your ticket to Heaven for eternity; nothing more, nothing less.
Please do not stop reading now! Without Jesus Christ in your life, you will have to pay for your own sin; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9)
“The Bible is the only textbook that the Author is present every time It is studied!”
Consider the Triune God
The fundamental truth of Bible Christianity rests securely in the Trinity, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). This verse gives assurance that each person of the Godhead has a distinct individuality. They function separately from each Other but will NEVER contradict the Others. Therefore, because God consists of three different persons, He is sometimes referred to as the TRIUNE GOD.
God | The Father
The first person of the Triune God is God the Father. Jesus explains where He came from in the book of John: “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father” (John 16:28). Notice how Scripture confirms that God the Father was still in Heaven while Jesus conducted His earthly ministry. Also, note another attribute of God the Father; “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). God the Father is a Spirit!
God | The Son
God the Son is the second person of the Triune God; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In this passage, we see how Jesus, God in the flesh, took the form of a human being so He could pay for the sins of all mankind; “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The “Word” is capitalized because it is one of the many proper names given to Jesus in the Bible; “...the Word was made flesh...” that is Jesus!
As prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, Jesus came into the world in the form of man through the virgin birth; “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Furthermore, Scripture clarifies the eternal status of Jesus; “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Many passages in the Bible teach the doctrine that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. Here is another example of this truth; “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever...” (Hebrews 1:8). Notice in this passage that God refers to the Son as God. Jesus is the original image of a human being long before the creation of Adam.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven;
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6) (underline added). Due to the eternal consequences, it is crucial to understand why Jesus has the authority to make this statement:
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
(Colossians 1:12-20) (underlines added)
God | The Father
This passage clearly explains that Jesus is the creator of all things. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created...” thus, Jesus is not only the Son of God, but He is God the Son, “For by him were all things created....” Since Colossians 1:16 says that Jesus created all things, and Genesis 1:1 proclaims that God created, who then is God? Unmistakably, JESUS is GOD.
The Apostle Paul again makes it clear that Jesus is God:
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
Again, by divine inspiration, the Apostle Paul affirms the truth that Jesus is God the Son to the believers in the church of Corinth:
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Jesus).” (2 Corinthians 5:20, 21) (Underline and explanation added)
There is one more verse that confirms beyond reasonable doubt the truth that Jesus is God; “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28) (underlines added). Notice that God purchased the “church of God” with the blood of God, the blood of God the Son—Jesus!
Because Jesus is God, and since He lived a sinless life while on the earth, He is the only one that could and did sacrifice His innocent body for the sins of every person that has ever been born. “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” (John 3:16, 17). Because Scripture established who the man Jesus Christ is, and since He says ye must be born again to go to Heaven, it is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE to discover what He means when He said, “...Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
THE MAJOR SEPARATING FACTOR FROM ALL OTHER RELIGIONS AND BIBLE CHRISTIANITY IS THE FACT THAT JESUS IS GOD!
God | The Holy Spirit
We established Jesus’s authority as God the Son in the previous paragraphs. Now, Jesus declares God the Holy Ghost as the Third Person of the Triune God; “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Observe in this passage all three distinct parts of the Trinity—the Father sent the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus.
Next, notice that Jesus, the image of the invisible God, was teaching His disciples concerning His death, burial, and resurrection when He made this statement, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16, 17). When God the Holy Ghost dwells in someone’s heart, He can easily instruct that person’s spirit in the paths of righteousness. But of course, it is then up to them to choose to live according to the Holy Spirit’s direction.
You Are Created In His Image
Adam, the first created person, was modeled after Jesus; “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” (Genesis 1:26). “Our likeness” and “our image” are both plurals—the Triune God created man with three distinct parts. After the formation of Adam, Jesus breathed the breath of life into him; “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). God did not create our breath; He gave us His!
In the closing comments of the first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul said, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Like the Triune God, a person also has three parts—the spirit (listed first due to its importance), the soul, and the body.
Next, notice that Jesus, the image of the invisible God, was teaching His disciples concerning His death, burial, and resurrection when He made this statement, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16, 17). When God the Holy Ghost dwells in someone’s heart, He can easily instruct that person’s spirit in the paths of righteousness. But of course, it is then up to them to choose to live according to the Holy Spirit’s direction.
Man | The spirit of a human being
The first and most important part of a person is their spirit. The spiritual part of a person is where God and man meet, commune, fellowship, and where God gives all spiritual direction; “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). It is one thing to know and believe there is a God and another thing to have Him as your Saviour (being born again); “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). The Holy Spirit living in a believer will direct him in paths of righteousness; “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...” (John 16:13).
The spirit in man is the part that communicates with God in all spiritual matters; “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). A dead spirit cannot communicate with a living God! “But the natural man (the unbeliever) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14) (explanation added in parentheses).
Once a person hears God’s simple plan of salvation, the opportunity to invite Jesus into their lives to save them from everlasting damnation and give them an eternal home in Heaven will be accepted or denied. If the choice is to trust Jesus, their spirit immediately becomes alive! “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16). If denied, the flames of Hell await them— believe it or not. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Eternal salvation is simple; Jesus made the way, and all you have to do is believe and receive!
Man | The body of a human being
The body leaves little to explain—it is simply our physical being. Our body houses our spirit and soul while we are still breathing. God gives us this short period in our earthy body to determine where we will spend eternity. If God forced people to believe, He would be a dictator playing with His creation. The truth is, He will use the Bible, His Holy Word, to instruct you how to go from His created being to His child; “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Many people think that we are all God’s children; this is wishful thinking! According to this text, one becomes a son of God after receiving Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour; “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). The Bible is very clear about who is the father of all unbelievers. Jesus was having a discussion with the religious leaders of the day when He recorded this truth:
“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:42-44)
Man | The soul of a human being
The soul is who you are. It’s your mind, your will, your intellect, and where you form decisions. The eyes are the physical instruments that gather light, but your soul puts everything together to give you the vision of the object. Your soul is where you sense pain and express concern for others. Your memory is also a part of your soul.
Luke 16:19-31 tells the story of two men; one a poor beggar named “Lazarus” (a real name for a real person) and the other known as a “certain rich man.” Lazarus did not go to Heaven because he was a poor beggar; he went because he had been born again.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried (his physical body was buried); And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, (pain) and seeth Abraham afar off (vision), and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, (he heard Abraham speak) Son, remember (memory) that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment (compassion for the lost). Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:19-31) (Underlines added, explanations noted in parentheses)
The account of Lazarus and the rich man acknowledges the Biblical truth of a literal, eternal place of torment. The fact that Jesus recorded the name of Lazarus is proof that this is an actual historical event and not a parable.
Notice the events recorded for us in this passage:
The rich man died, and they buried him in a tomb.
While his dead body is still in the grave, observe that the rich man still has his sight, hearing, memory, a sensation of pain, and he displays compassion for his lost family.
At the moment of his death, his eternal soul, the part of man that contains all his emotions, such as his ability to see, hear, think, feel pain and have compassion for the lost, was immediately in torment.
Verse 23 clearly states that his memory was also very sharp; he called the beggar by name.
The Nameless Rich Man and a Lesson for Us
The nameless rich man provides an eternal truth concerning those who choose to deny Jesus: “Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence” (Jeremiah 23:39). Heaven could not be a place of worship and rejoicing if we knew our loved ones were in Hell. They will be wiped from our memory and, worse yet, God’s memory! “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous” (Psalm 69:28). The moment a sinner puts their faith in Christ alone for salvation, their name appears in the Book of Life. This book records their reservation in Heaven for all of eternity:
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12-15)
Only those who did not receive the free gift of eternal life (the spiritually dead) will be judged for their sins recorded in the other books; “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). For the born again Christian, all of their evil deeds were paid for by the Blood of Jesus; “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).
According to Scripture, they buried the rich man’s body, and his soul immediately went to Hell. His body and soul will remain separated until the final judgment. Then, when judgment day arrives, his soul and body will reunite to face God for the Great White Throne Judgment; “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; (the physical body) and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: (the living soul in Hell) and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:13) (explanations added in parentheses). Once he receives the verdict, he will begin to serve an eternal sentence in a literal, burning Hell; “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14).
A man’s soul is precious to the LORD; “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:15). Unfortunately, many people have led extremely wicked lives; some even claim to have sold their souls to the devil; this has caused them to believe that God would not forgive them. The truth is, the soul does not belong to the individual; it belongs to God; “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4)
You Cannot Sell Something that is not Yours
You cannot sell something that is not yours! As long as a person is still breathing, they can become a child of God! Sin brought death, but Jesus came to bring life! The Apostle Paul said it like this; “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1Timothy 1:15). Because of His love for sinners, God gave the Apostle Paul the opportunity to be born again. Before converting to Christ, Paul made his living by killing and persecuting Christians. After being born again, God used him to pen down over half of the New Testament! Listen carefully to his testimony:
“I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.” (Acts 26:9-11)
Do not put God in a box! No matter what they have done, there is not a person alive that Jesus would not forgive! Christ died for sinners! Please do not believe the devil’s lie; you can become a child of God this very moment!
To deny Jesus is to choose eternal damnation! Therefore, do not wait another minute, call on Him today; “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured (assisted) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2) (explanation added).
YOUR UNBELIEF IN HELL WILL NOT CHANGE THE FACT OF ITS EXISTENCE!ETERNITY MAY BE A LONG TIME TO BE WRONG, BUT IT’S ALSO A LONG TIME TO BE RIGHT!
At any given time or place, you can receive eternal salvation. Pray: Dear LORD God, I know I am a sinner condemned to Hell. I am sorry I have sinned against you. I believe Jesus, God the Son, died on the cross and rose again for me. Please forgive me of my sin, come into my heart, and help me live a life pleasing unto You. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank You for writing my name in the Book of Life. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frus- trate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:20, 21)
Please continue to read to learn more about what it means to be born again!
Ye Must Be Born Again, The Second Birth
The express purpose of God’s Word is for all mankind to know who God is and how to spend eternity with Him. In John chapter three, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, had a conversation concerning this matter with Nicodemus, a religious man, and ruler of the Jews. Jesus told him exactly what it takes to go to
Heaven; “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, who did not understand the spiritual truth of being born again, asked the simple question; “...How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born” (John 3:4)?
Due to the spiritual nature of the discussion, Nicodemus could not comprehend what Jesus was saying. The Bible explains why he could not grasp the spiritual truth of Jesus’ answer; “But the natural man (the unbeliever) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14) (explanation added). The spiritual part of a man must be made alive (born again) to understand these truths.
After Nicodemus asked the question, Jesus then explained to him the two births that must be present in his life to go to Heaven:
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:5-7)
The first birth is to be born of water. A pediatric neuroscientist at Allegheny University stated that each individual has different percentages of their body made up of water. While a child is in the mother’s womb, they develop in a sack of water; although the amniotic fluid is not solely water, water is part of the components. When the water breaks, the baby is born—the first birth. The second birth gives life to your spirit securing an eternal home in Heaven.
Sin caused the death of our spirit; “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12). Remember John 4:24 tells us that “God is a Spirit...”; to know and worship God must be done spiritually. How can a dead spirit communicate with the living spiritual God—it can’t! But when you repent and believe the Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus), your spirit will come alive (the second birth). Your living spirit restores your communication with God and reserves your home in Heaven. The Apostle Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...” (Romans 1:16).
The Bible is clear that every person alive is a sinner; “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23). Short is short, whether by a millimeter or million miles! The Bible also clearly states the penalty for sin; “For the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23). Therefore, someone must pay the price for your sin. You have two options; accept the payment for your sin offered to you by Jesus or pay for them yourself in eternal flames; “...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, loves the human race so much that He came to the earth in the form of a man to die for the sins of everyone; “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).
God stepped out of eternity in the form of a man and suffered the penalty of our sin. He did this so every person that believes in Him can step into eternity in His likeness, God in the flesh; “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Jesus was willing to die and go to Hell for you rather than spend eternity in Heaven without you.
The born again Christian has no bragging rights to their salvation; it is not by their good works; it is because of the goodness of God! He did the work and the born again Christians get the reward! Give Him the Glory! This truth is the difference between all other religions and born again Christians.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” (Titus 3:3-6)
The Spiritual Birth
The plan God has put in place for eternal salvation is to be born again. The Apostle Paul made this statement to the believers in Ephesus; “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1). The word “quickened” has the meaning of being made alive. Paul spoke to these believers to help them understand what occurred when they repented and believed the Gospel. He made it personal; “and you.” The moment you ask Jesus to be your Saviour, your spirit comes back to life—the second birth! The Apostle Paul clearly describes the spiritual birth in 1 Corinthians 15:41-49:
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. ” (1 Corinthians 15:41-49) (Underlines added)
The Spiritual Birth
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14, 15). The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans that our belief will cause a desire to be righteous; “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” (Romans 10:9, 10). The very moment a person repents (turns to God from unbelief), a new spiritual creature is born; “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This transformation is accomplished by “…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). “Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved.”
When the sinner asks Christ to come into their life to be their Saviour, the Holy Spirit breathes life into their dead spirit. Just like the breath of God gave life to Adam’s soul, His breath makes the spirit alive. Now they have the second birth, which makes it possible to communicate with God, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16). Like rustling leaves in a breeze, the changed life of the sinner is evidence of their spiritual birth. God’s eternal plan for man’s salvation is a gift from Him. Therefore, it is essential first to believe the Gospel: the virgin birth of Jesus (God in the flesh), His sinless life on the earth, His death on the cross, and most importantly, His resurrection. The Scripture also says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…” (2 Corinthians 7:10). If you are willing to repent, which results in a turning from sin, and you realize that only Jesus can help you accomplish this, then call on Him today to be your Saviour, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). To call on God is talking to Him in prayer, asking Him to forgive you of your sin and welcome Him into your heart to help you live a life pleasing to Him. The prayer below is a model prayer—you fill in the blanks as you talk directly to Him.
Pray: Dear LORD God, I know I am a sinner condemned to Hell. I am sorry I have sinned against you. I believe Jesus, God the Son, died on the cross and rose again for me. Please forgive me of my sin, come into my heart, and help me to live a life pleasing unto You. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank You for writing my name in the Book of Life. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
Now You Can Rest Assured!
The Spirit of God living inside you does not want you to wonder whether you are truly Heaven-bound. He wants us to know that we have been eternally forgiven and have a place reserved for us in Heaven. He gives us this confidence in His Word: “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:9-13) (Underline added)
If your good works could save you, you could be lost again by your evil deeds. But if you are born again by the grace of God, your salvation will be eternally secure by God’s mercy. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5).
The moment a person is born physically, they have no record of a past; when that same person is born again, the spiritual birth, the history of their sinful past is completely gone in the eyes of God. Below are some Scriptures that will cause you to rejoice:
“Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:15-17)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)
If you have asked the LORD to be your Saviour today, please contact us with the information provided on the back of the cover. We rejoice in your decision and would be happy to help guide you in your new walk with God. Welcome to the family of God! God bless you!