Eternal Life

1 John 5:13 says, ^"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." So, one can know for certain that they have eternal life. There are some things that must be understood.

1) Eternal life is a free gift, "the gift of God is eternal life..." (Romans 6:23). Being a gift, it can not be earned nor is it deserved, it is a gift plain and simple. Ephesians 2:8-9 "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."

2) Understand what the Bible says about man, it says that man is a sinner. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Sin is murder, theft, hate and the sort. But Sin also is those good things we don't do as well. There are sins of action, inaction, and attitude. Each one of us sins. Some sin more often then others, but we are equally in the same boat. If I were nearly perfect and sin only 3 times a day, that would amount to over 1000 sins in a year. If I live to be 75 that’s 75,000 sins. Can you imagine me walking into traffic court with 75,000 parking tickets, the judge would put me under the jail. Sin is serious. This also leads to the fact that man is unable to save himself. God requires that we be perfect, and none of us are. No matter how good we may seem, our sin contaminates all of our good. This is not acceptable to God.

3) Knowing what the Bible says about man let's us see what it says about God. God’s word tells us that God is merciful, that He is love. 1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." God is love and doesn't want to punish us. But this same Bible tells us that God is just and therefore must punish sin. Exodus 34:7 "(God) will by no means clear the guilty" Ezekiel 18:4 "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." We as people have a problem, we are sinners unable to save ourselves, yet we must stand before a just God. God has solved that problem in the person Jesus Christ.

4) Know that Jesus is more than just a good man or a good teacher. He is that and so much more. In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus is God. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The word "Word" here is speaking of Jesus so the verse reads as such: "In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God." Only God has the power to forgive sin. So Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to purchase us a place in heaven. Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all." Jesus bore our sins on the cross so that we might have eternal life. This gift of eternal life is received by faith.

5) Faith is the key. Just like only one key on your key ring will open your front door, Jesus is the only key that opens the door to heaven. John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus isn't part of the way nor is He one of the ways; He is the only way to heaven. When we speak of faith remember faith isn't just mental assent to the facts of Jesus (His birth, death, and resurrection) it is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.

Would you like to receive this free gift of eternal life?

It is as simple as transferring your trust from what you have been doing to what Jesus has done already for you on the cross. 

By accepting the living Christ as Savior. Open the door to your heart and invite Jesus in, Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Receive Jesus Christ as Lord. Remove yourself from the throne of your life and allow Him to sit on the throne of you heart.

And Repent. Be willing to turn from your sin, from anything that is not pleasing to God, and start living for Him.

If this is your desire, pray this prayer: "Lord thank you for the free gift of eternal life. I know that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. Therefore I call on you, Lord Jesus, to forgive me of my sins and to come into my heart and life and be my Savior. Thank you Lord for saving me. Amen" 

If you prayed that prayer look at what the Bible says, John 6:47 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." Please take time to contact us, we would like to celebrate with you and would love to send you some information to help you in your new walk with the Lord.