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The Bridge to Eternal Life
God's Purpose: Honor and Serve Him
God created man to honor, serve, and fellowship with Him. The Bible says...
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11
If God's purpose is for mankind to honor, serve, and fellowship with Him, then what happened that destroyed this perfect relationship?
Mankind's Problem: Sin
Man chose to sin against God rather than serve Him. The Bible says . . .
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
What does it mean to sin against God?
Sin is breaking God's law (I John 3:4).
We do this by doing what God has commanded us not to do or by not doing what God has told us to do.
Sin's Penalty: Death
The Bible says . . .
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."Romans 6:23
When man chose to disobey God, the result was death. The basic meaning of death is separation. The Bible teaches that there are three types of death, or separation, that result from sin.
- Spiritual death separates a person from the life of God (Ephesians 2:1).
- Physical death separates a person's soul from his or her body (Hebrews 9:27).
- Eternal death separates a person, both soul and body, from God forever(Revelation 20:15).
Then How Can We Ever Have Eternal Life?
Throughout history individuals have tried many ways to gain or earn eternal life, but every attempt has been unsuccessful. The Bible says . . .
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12
"Not by works or righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us." Titus 3:5a
"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." Ephesians 2:8,9
Christ's Payment: Our Sinless Substitute
Jesus Christ, God's Sinless Son, was sent by the Father to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the Cross in our place. The Bible says . . .
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." I Peter 3:18a
Then how do we cross the bridge to eternal life?
Our Pardon: Turn and Trust
How do we cross the bridge to eternal life? We must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Jesus Himself said, ". . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"(John 14:6). In order to receive Jesus Christ as Lord, you must repent of your sins and put your trust in Him alone as the only hope of eternal life. The Bible says . . .
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19a
". . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31a
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
God's Promise: Eternal Life
Jesus Christ said,
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 5:24
This verse has one promise with three parts. The person who believes:
(1) Gets eternal life.
(2) Does not come into judgment.
(3) Has passed out of death into life.
Will you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord today?
To do so you must . . .
(1) Admit that you have sinned against God and ask Him for forgiveness.
(2) Believe that Jesus is the Son of God Who died for you on the corss, rose from the dead, and is Lord.
(3) Call upon Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.
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