The Bible teaches us in Romans 3:23 that everyone ever born is a sinner. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This means that you and I, along with the whole world, are sinners. This means you are a sinner in the eyes of God, who must punish all sin. Do you believe you are a sinner? I know I am.

The Bible also tells us that the punishment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." This type of death includes, but is not limited to, physical death. It also includes eternal separation from God in a place called hell. God doesn't want any of us to end up in hell. He wants us all to repent. Hell wasn't made for us. It was made for the devil and the angels who followed him. God loves us and wants us to be saved. That is why He provided a way for us. And guess what that way is? You guessed it! It's Jesus.

The Bible tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22b). When the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary, He died in our place for our sins as a sacrificial substitute. He paid the penalty for our sin in His own body and purchased our eternal redemption. We can be forgiven! Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.

None of us deserve to be saved. God loves us so that He offers grace and mercy to all who will believe. Grace is defined as "God giving me a free gift I don't deserve". Ephesians 2:8-9 says that eternal life with God is a free gift. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." You can not earn your way to heaven. Everyone in Heaven will be there only because of God's grace in sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.

How can we obtain this free gift of eternal life? The Bible tells us the answer in Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." You must believe on Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. You must place your complete faith and trust in Christ and rely upon Him as your only hope of salvation and eternal life. It's Jesus plus nothing. You need to not only understand with your head; but more importantly, you must understand with your heart. Knowing all the right facts doesn't get you saved; believing with your heart does! You must accept God's gift. After all, it isn't yours until you accept it.

Would you like to accept God's free gift right now and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If so, you can say a prayer like this one to God.

Dear God,
   I admit that I am a sinner, and I understand that my sin separates me from you. I believe that Jesus paid the full penalty for all of my sins when He died on the cross. I believe that He rose again the third day and is now in heaven with God. I want to place my trust in Him alone as my Savior. Thank you for loving and forgiving me; and thank you for your free gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If you have made the decision to receive Jesus and His payment for your sins, and you have trusted Him and Him alone for your salvation, then you have become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name."

If you have prayed from your heart, you never need to worry again about where you will spend eternity. The Bible tells us this in 1 John 5:13. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." The Bible also tells us that no one can snatch us out of God's hand. John 10:28-29 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."

Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Tell someone today of your decision to trust Christ as your Savior. Send us an e-mail, to tell us of your decision. When you e-mail us, please put "Born Again" in the subject field.

Here are some things that may help you get to know Jesus better and grow in your relationship with Him.

• Read and study God's word, the Bible.
• Speak to God in prayer.
• Find friendship and encouragement with other believers in a church where the Bible is honored and taught.
• Tell others what Jesus has done for you and how He can help their lives also.

Copyright© 2000 Wiles's Balloony Inspirations

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