CHOICES FOR LIFE AND ETERNITY!
You are a very unique person, created in the image of God with the ability to make choices that effect your life every day. God also gave you the ability to choose your eternity. While Jesus was on earth he gave man the choice, "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." (Matt.7:13-14) Your long term choice is Heaven or Hell. When you have made your choice for eternity, there are many short term choices that you need to make to be able to determine your destination. Paul tell us, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" You are daily submitting yourself to be a servant. What kind of a master do you want? If you serve sin it leads to death. If you are an obedient servant it leads to righteousness and eternal life. Whom do you choose to be your master? Let s consider some of your Eternal Choices!
TRUTH OR OPINION
Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8;31-32) The Truth being the word of God ( John 17:17). My friends only the word of God can be your guide. Man's opinion cannot be a safe guide. If what we do religiously is following the commandments of men then it is all in vain. (Matt.7:13-14) Open your Bible and use God's word as the foundation for your belief and trust in Jesus. Only the truth of God's word will save you from your sins and offer unto you the hope of eternal life. The quotations used here are from the Kings James Version
FORGIVENESS OR CONDEMNATION
God's promised gift to you is the forgiveness of all your sins. (Eph.2:8) This promise is conditional upon obedience to the will of Jesus Christ. (Matt.7:21) If you wish to have the forgiveness of all your sins you must be willing to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus will return one day taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:7-9) It is a very important choice you need to make concerning eternity.
ETERNAL LIFE OR ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom.6:23) The promise of eternal life is in Jesus Christ. (I John 5:11) Peter describes the promise, "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (IPet.1:4-5) The choice is yours, do you want eternal life or eternal damnation. There are some short term choices you must make for your life to be able to reach the long term choice of eternal life.
THE GIFT OF SALVATION
God is so wonderful in his grace and mercy to offer unto us the gift of salvation from every sin in our lives. Sin is the transgression of the law of God. ( I John 3:4) You may knowingly or unknowingly transgress the law of God, never-the-less it is still a sin and you are responsible for it's consequences unless God grants you the forgiveness of that sin. That forgiveness is granted upon your obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED BY GOD
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb.5:8-9) The writer tells us that salvation is to those who obey Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matt.7:21. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." We must be willing to do what the Lord requires of us so he will give us this wonderful blessing.
ALL HAVE SINNED
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom.3:23) John said in I John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." When we realize we are guilty before God, then we can really appreciate God's forgiveness. Truly we all need the forgiveness of God.
GOD LOVES YOU
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Rom.5:8-9) God loves you so much that he sent His Son from the portals of glory to become a man, to be tempted just like you are, to suffer, and to die on the cross at Calvary to purchase your redemption. What greater love could anyone have for you than that?
Isa. 53:5-6 Tells us that "Jesus 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. All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." My friend, God took all your sins and laid them on Jesus. while he was on the cross so you may have the forgiveness of your sins. The blood of Jesus Christ was shed that you may be saved. (1 John 1:7) "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." If you want to be saved, you may, not by saying Lord, Lord' but by being obedient to his word.
YOU MUST HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
"And they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me." (John 6:45) Jesus sent his apostles into all the world to preach the gospel unto every person so everyone may hear and learn of the Father and come to Jesus. You have the choice to listen or reject his message of salvation. If you do not hear how can you call upon him for salvation? (Rom.10:13-15)
YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) We cannot please God unless we believe in his Son. (Heb.11:6) 1:6) Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom.10:17). It is impossible to be saved unless we believe in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:10-12 tells us there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. Faith is a condition of salvation and a choice you must make.
YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS
Jesus taught in Luke 13-:3-, "I tell you nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Repentance is a turning away from your iniquities. (Acts 3:26) The apostle tells us in Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." You have the courage to turn away from sin and turn to Jesus Christ. Repentance is a condition of salvation and a choice you must make to be saved.
YOU MUST CONFESS THE NAME OF JESUS
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt.10:32-33) A confession of the name of Jesus before men must come from your mouth and Jesus will confess you before the Father. A denial of Jesus will mean a denial of you before the Father. Rom.10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." You have a choice to confess the name of Jesus for salvation or deny him.
YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED
Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts.2:38) Notice that baptism is for the remission of sins. Just as Jesus told the disciples in Mark 16:l6, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned." Jesus made baptism a part of the condition of our salvation. It is a commandment of God. (Acts l0:48) We cannot be saved without obeying the commandments of the Lord, and baptism is one of those commandments.
Baptism is no more important than hearing, believing, repenting or confessing the name of Jesus, but it is just as important because Jesus included it as a part of our salvation. The apostle Peter said in 1 Pet.3:21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The apostle guided by the Holy Spirit to reveal all truth said BAPTISM SAVES US. How can we fail to obey what will save us?
In Acts 22:16 the scripture tells us, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." On last page you will find a chart listing several examples of conversion. Please read each one carefully and determine (1) Conditions mentioned for salvation. (2) Examples of different responses to the message. (3) What is the result of each example and when was salvation provided.
THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE
"For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom.6:23) God promises us eternal life if we have lived a successful life here on earth. May I share with you the thoughts of Jesus in John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." There are many foes in this life that want to destroy you and cause you much grief and sorrow, but Jesus wants you to live a victorious life. In I John 5:4 the scripture tells us that the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. Rom.10:17 teaches that faith comes by hearing the word of God. May God grant unto you the interest to read and hear the word of God to have a strong and abiding faith. 1 Pet.2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." May you make the choice to continue your growth in knowledge of the Bible, by reading and studying its sacred truths.
AS A MAN THINKETH
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Prov.23:7) It is so true, whatever you think is what you are going to become. Therefore Solomon said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life." Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasures of the heart bringeth forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasures bringeth forth evil things. There is a great necessity that you make the choice to control the thoughts you plant in your mind. Every thought is going to produce after its own kind. blossoming sooner or later into an act and bearing its own fruit. GOOD THOUGHTS- GOOD FRUIT. BAD THOUGHTS- BAD FRUIT. You are going to reap what you sow. (Gal.6:7) Just remember everything planted multiplies, you will reap much more than you sow. If you sow good seed it will multiply and produce much happiness, joy and contentment in your life. If you sow bad seed it will multiply and produce a multitude of unhappiness, sorrow, and discontentment in your life.
1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world. neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.' You have the choices, either follow the word of God or the lust of the world. Do you want good or bad things to multiply in your life? Whatever your thoughts are and whoever you associate with will determine what you will become.
ADD TO YOUR FAITH
When you have obtained a precious faith as righteous men of old there are some things you must add to your faith (2 Pet.1:1) God has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus who called you to glory and virtue. (2 Pet.1:3) "Whereby are given unto you exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Pet.1:4) The next verses tells us to add to our faith virtue knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. If these be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Pet.1:5-8) "But he that lacketh these things, is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things' ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 1:9-1 1) The end result of your diligence to add to your faith these Christian graces will give you the assurance of a wonderful life here and the promise of eternal life in the world to come.
DON'T BECOME AGAIN ENTANGLED IN SIN
You have escaped the pollution of this sinful world and the Lord has forgiven your sins so don't become the servant of sin again. If you do the later end is worse than the beginning. (2 Pet.2:20-21) You died to sin, in obedience to your Lord in baptism, and you arose to a new spiritual life, therefore sin is not to be the ruling factor in your life. Jesus is now in control and blesses you abundantly. Yield yourself unto God as a person who is dedicated to do His will. (Rom.6:4-14) "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against Satan and all his temptations." (Eph.6:11-18) Pray to God daily for His strength and blessings upon your life.
WORSHIP GOD
Every person has been created with an inward longing to worship something. That longing is fulfilled when you assemble with other Christians upon the first day of the week to worship the one true and living God. God wants to be worshipped and you are elevated to a higher life by doing so. (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25). John. 4:23-24, "But the hour cometh and now is' when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. To worship after our own hearts and ideas is a vain worship before God. (John. 15:9). The worship that the great God of Heaven asks for is singing, prayer, teaching, communion, and giving. Let us notice each one briefly.
SINGING
"Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren' in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." (Heb.12:2) "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Cor.14:15) God's will is for us to sing praises unto him. Eph.5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. The instrument you are to use in praising God is your heart by way of the vocal cords to sing unto the Lord. God does not ask for you to play an instrument while you sing, all he asks is that you sing making melody in your heart to the Lord.
PRAY
One of the most wonderful blessings for a Christian to use everyday is the blessing of prayer. We may talk with and thank God for his wonderful love and blessings and we may cast all our cares upon Him because he cares for us. (I Pet.5:7) We have the assurance that he will hear our prayers "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (1 Pet.3:12) Use your wonderful privilege of prayer daily.
TEACHING TO BE DONE
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7) God has given us His way to accomplish the edifying of the church. We are to assemble together in one place (I Cor.14:26). We are to teach one by one that all may learn' and all may he comforted (I Cor. 14:31 ) and the women are to remain silent. (I Cor.14:34-35). These are the commandments of the Lord. (I Cor. 14:37)
COMMUNION
The Lord wants us to remember his death by observing the Lord's Supper upon the first day of the week. (I Cor.11:26; Acts 20:7) The early disciples set the example of eating the bread and drinking the cup of the Lord's Supper upon the First day of the week. We follow their example each first day of the week to worship God and show the Lord's death till Jesus comes again. (1 Cor.11:23-34).
GIVING
"Now concerning the collection for the saints' as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (I Cor. 16:1-2) God expects each of us to give as we have been prospered. No one has the right to tell you how much you are to give or to assign a percentage you are to give. 2 Cor. 9:7 says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." Like other items of worship, giving is between you and your God. It is responsibility to give as you have been prospered, and your choice to give cheerfully from your heart.
Remember, God wants you to worship him in spirit and in truth upon each first day of the week. Will you make the choice each Sunday to assemble with God's family and give him the praise he so greatly deserves?
DISCIPLESHIP
God has so richly blessed you upon your obedience to give you forgiveness of your sins and place in your heart the promise of eternal life in Heaven. God has asked for your help in telling others about His wonderful love and the salvation He has for them. The apostle Paul told Timothy to commit the things he had heard to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2) Will you make the choice to share with your friends the salvation and hope of eternal life in Heaven that you have?
GOD IS YOUR HELPER
God promises that he will never leave you nor forsake you and that you can boldly say. "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Heb. 12:5-6). Friends may forsake you but God is always with you to strengthen and comfort you. Life brings many choices everyday. Base your decisions on the word of God and your life will be filed with joy and happiness. Don't spend so much concern over your daily decisions that you forget the greatest choice of all, Heaven!
May I remind you of the voice from heaven saying "Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13) "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14) May your decisions lead you safely through life as a Christian unto the day of judgment that you may hear Jesus say, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matt. 25:34)
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Conversion Examples FROM THE BOOK |
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RESULT |
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HEAR |
BELEIVE |
REPENT |
CONFESS |
BE BAPTIZED |
SALVATION |
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Jews on Pentecost Day |
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The Samaritans |
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The Ethiopian Eunuch |
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Captain Cornelius |
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Lydia |
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The Philippian Jailor |
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The Corinthians |
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Saul of Tarsus |
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Non-Conversion Examples FROM THE BOOK |
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RESULT |
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HEAR |
BELEIVE |
REPENT |
CONFESS |
BE BAPTIZED |
DAMNED |
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Governor Felix |
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King Agrippa |
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Parable of the Sower |
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RESULT? |
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WAY SIDE |
ROCK |
THORNS |
GOOD GROUND |
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ADMONITION |
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