Many think that getting eternal life, as well as freedom from all ills like hunger, pain, and sorrow, must be difficult, involved, and costly. Those who know how to be saved by Jesus will testify it's a very simple process. Getting to the point of sincerely asking for this gift is not so easy, however. In fact, many find it almost impossible.
Jesus came to earth to demonstrate God's love for His children - all mankind - and to die as a willing sacrifice to pay for the sins we commit. This blood sacrifice was necessary under God's plan; nothing else could pay the price. Jesus' death and resurrection achieved victory over death. Romans 6:23 tells us: 'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
Many people find it counter-intuitive to admit they are sinners. The societies of the world have educated millions to believe that everyone has a 'divine spark' that connects in some way or other to immortality. Another viewpoint is that we are all part of the animal world and rules only by instinct and tradition. Good and evil are relative, if they even exist.
This is contrary to God's word. God tells us in the Bible that we're born in sin and continue in sin unless we're 'born again' as new creatures with the righteousness of Christ. No one living is without sin. It doesn't matter how much good we think we do. Salvation is not earned; it's a free gift that can be accepted or rejected.
The fact is that God made the world and also the rules we live or die by. The saved know that these rules make our lives better. A holy god cannot enter into relationship with sinners, but when we accept Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross we are redeemed. The penalty of our sin - death - has been paid in full.
Free will is so important to our heavenly father that He gave the very first people, Adam and Eve, the choice to obey or disobey. We know that they chose to 'become like God' and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the 'original sin' that the Bible speaks of.
Before anyone thinks that this isn't fair, they should sincerely evaluate themselves. All people have sinful desires, have broken some- or all - of the Ten Commandments, and have chosen to turn from God rather than toward Him. We have original sin and we also have a lot of our own.
To be saved, a person needs a humble and contrite heart, in order to sincerely turn from sin and release control to a risen Lord. The act is simple, merely a promise to turn from wicked ways, surrender to God, and accept the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for sin. Then the new believer must confess Jesus as Lord before others and go forward as a new creation.
Jesus came to earth to demonstrate God's love for His children - all mankind - and to die as a willing sacrifice to pay for the sins we commit. This blood sacrifice was necessary under God's plan; nothing else could pay the price. Jesus' death and resurrection achieved victory over death. Romans 6:23 tells us: 'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
Many people find it counter-intuitive to admit they are sinners. The societies of the world have educated millions to believe that everyone has a 'divine spark' that connects in some way or other to immortality. Another viewpoint is that we are all part of the animal world and rules only by instinct and tradition. Good and evil are relative, if they even exist.
This is contrary to God's word. God tells us in the Bible that we're born in sin and continue in sin unless we're 'born again' as new creatures with the righteousness of Christ. No one living is without sin. It doesn't matter how much good we think we do. Salvation is not earned; it's a free gift that can be accepted or rejected.
The fact is that God made the world and also the rules we live or die by. The saved know that these rules make our lives better. A holy god cannot enter into relationship with sinners, but when we accept Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross we are redeemed. The penalty of our sin - death - has been paid in full.
Free will is so important to our heavenly father that He gave the very first people, Adam and Eve, the choice to obey or disobey. We know that they chose to 'become like God' and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the 'original sin' that the Bible speaks of.
Before anyone thinks that this isn't fair, they should sincerely evaluate themselves. All people have sinful desires, have broken some- or all - of the Ten Commandments, and have chosen to turn from God rather than toward Him. We have original sin and we also have a lot of our own.
To be saved, a person needs a humble and contrite heart, in order to sincerely turn from sin and release control to a risen Lord. The act is simple, merely a promise to turn from wicked ways, surrender to God, and accept the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for sin. Then the new believer must confess Jesus as Lord before others and go forward as a new creation.
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