In general the work you put into something directly correlates with what you get out of it (you reap what you sow); but isn’t it ironic that this doesn’t hold true for the thing most important to you… your lives (not a typo).
You didn’t work for it or earn it, you were just given this life as a free gift! And on top of that you were given freedom to choose how you live our your life, which I believe is the most powerful thing each of us possess: Freedom to choose!
And since becoming and adult each of us have had complete control over this freedom of choice. You can now choose what to think, choose what to believe, choose where to spend your resources (time, money, attention), and the list goes on and on.
So what’s the one time that choosing to work hard won’t get you anywhere?
Contrary to what most people are led to think, the sole choice to work hard and be good won’t get you anywhere when it comes to your second life. Take 5 minutes to look at the complexity of life and it becomes undeniable that we are an intelligent creation. Someone made us and your eyeballs that you’re reading this with are not the result of a random combination of atoms:)
Since someone made us then that someone has the power to decide what happens after this life. For me that’s more than enough reason have this decision made today.
What decision? The decision to:
a) Follow a religion (humanity’s attempts to reach God with works that won’t be enough and will end in disaster)
or
b) Seek a faith relationship that doesn’t depend on works (because works could never be enough)
Every single world religion follows the religion paradigm: Do enough ___ with the hope you end up with enough ‘good works credit’ to pay your way into eternal life. That’s a scary and stressful way to live!
But a faith relationship paradigm is the opposite: Humans have NEVER been able to be good enough to earn back the perfect status required for eternal life in the presence of the perfect God that created us. So this paradigm can only work through a God that loves the creation enough to be willing to do the work for us. I only know of 1 faith that operates this way and that is Christianity. The Bible, which is the most reliable deep history document discovered (click here to see how it compares), tells us God loves us so much that He became human in the form of Jesus. He did this so that He could live a perfect life and then allow Himself to be crucified/killed on our behalf (if you’re wondering why He needed to keep reading/see the Roman’s Road below).
The act of dying for us shows us that Jesus isn’t interested in just a ‘get out of jail’ type of relationship. He doesn’t just want to be your Savior! If this is how you have looked at your relationship with God up to the point, please check yourself. You may be walking on eternally thin ice! He wants to be the Savior and Lord of your life. If you’re not sure what it means for God/Jesus to be the Lord of your life, click here or ask me.
If you know of another faith that operates like this, please let me know today because I will put Christianity ‘on trial’ to determine/confirm that Christianity is the only faith that can meet these requirements and be true.
Your have the freedom to choose what happens when you last breath. This may not be a fun question to ponder but there is no other question more important to have seriously considered.
For those of you reading this that are ready to choose Jesus or recommit to Him as Savior AND Lord: here is a great outline to walk you through the process.
If you have questions or comments please don’t hesitate. Text/call us at 763-275-9099 and we will respond ASAP.
If you found this post meaningful please don’t keep it to yourself but instead share it. Have a blessed day!
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Proverbs 3:27-28
The Romans Road to a Faith Relationship with God
1. THE BIBLE SAYS ALL HAVE SINNED
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
– A person needs to have the conviction that they have sinned and are lost without Christ.
2. THE BIBLE SAYS SIN CARRIES THE PENALTY OF DEATH
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
-Sin has a consequence and that consequence is death/inability to be in God’s presence
3. THE BIBLE SAYS ETERNAL LIFE IS GOD’S GIFT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
-Salvation is God’s gift. It cannot be earned because it has already been purchased. It is to be received in humility and faith.
4. THE BIBLE SAYS CHRIST DIED FOR SINNERS BECAUSE OF GOD’S LOVE
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
-We do not need to do anything to convince God to save us or love us. He has already demonstrated this to us and made the gift possible for us to receive.
5. THE BIBLE SAYS WE MUST CALL UPON THE LORD TO BE SAVED
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
– Just as a drowning man cries out for help to be rescued, so must we call to the Lord to save us. He stands ready to do so as soon as we ask.
6. THE BIBLE SAYS WE MUST CONFESS AND BELEIVE IN JESUS AND HIS RESURRECTION
Romans 10:9 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.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
-To confess means you agree with what God says about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for you. To believe means you entrust all that your life to Jesus.
QUESTION — Are you ready to confess that Jesus is Lord, that he died for you and that God raised him from the dead? Will you call upon him as the Lord who is alive and ready to save you?
This can be done through prayer by praying something like this:
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I agree with you that death is the payday I should receive for the life I have lived. I thank you that you love me as a sinner and sent Christ to die for me. By an act of my will and in faith, I now call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Jesus save me from my sins. I confess with my mouth that you are Lord of my life. I believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead. By faith, I now receive the gift of eternal life from you. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me. Amen!”
Very timely and articulate communication of what IS most important!