ETERNAL LIFE

Most people understand the importance of planning for the future. They plan for college, for family, for housing, for retirement, but few seem to place the same importance on planning for eternity. Perhaps people don't like thinking about death, even though everyone will eventually die. Shouldn't life in eternity be one of the things you take a serious look at? Please read on to find out God's plan for your future.

Born into Sin

All humans are born into sin because Adam sinned and we are all descendants of Adam. Romans 3:23 makes it clear that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." We are unable to have  a relationship with God because of our sin nature.

Sin=Death

The problem with being born into sin and living a life unable to please God is that it will eventually lead to death. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. In other words the result of being born into sin is that we will sin and sin leads to death. Romans 5:12 explains how we got into this condition and its consequence. "Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."

We are all born into a hopeless condition and we are unable to do anything about it on our own. 

Christ=Life

Fortunately, we don't have to look to an eternity of damnation away from God and unable to enter heaven. Jesus Christ paid the penalty of our sin by dying in our place on the cross. Romans 5:6, 8 says that "while we were helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [This is how] God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

His death, burial and resurrection made it possible for us to come to God through Jesus Christ. 

Only Believe

The only way for us to receive the gift of salvation is by believing what God tells us in the Bible. According to 1 Corinthians 15:1—4, it is by this good news (gospel) that we are saved. "That Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scripture."

When we believe in the Person of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, then we are given eternal life. Believing is trusting and as soon as we completely trust Jesus Christ and Him alone, we will be saved. There is nothing more that you can add to what Jesus Christ has done. 

Peace with God

Once you have completely transferred your trust for eternal life to Jesus Christ, you are given the Holy Spirit as a seal and a helper. Ephesians 1:13 says that "having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." This is your assurance that you do have eternal life. You are no longer an enemy of God but instead you now are at peace with Him. Romans 5:1 says that now that we have "been justified (declared innocent) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

If you are trusting your church, good works, keeping the 10 commandments, being born into a Christian family, confessing of sins, repentance or even saying a special prayer to please God and obtain eternal life, then you are substituting your plan in place of God's plan. God has made it clear that there is only one way anyone can come to God. 1 Timothy 2:5 says "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…" Trusting Jesus Christ completely and exclusively for eternal life is the only way for us to know that we will be brought into heaven when we die. If you still have questions about this most important decision, or if you took the step of believing fully in Jesus Christ for your salvation and want more information, please contact Dave Teply. I would be thrilled to help you begin your spiritual journey.