Free Gift

Dear Friend,
God, in His Word the Bible, says that you and I are sinners: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). He also tells us WHY we are sinners: "Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12). This is why God offers to us the FREE GIFT of eternal life: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

In Proverbs 14:12 God tells us, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." In contrast Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37b). "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Acts 4;12 adds, "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

How can we receive God's free gift and be born again?

* BELIEVE "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (including you) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

* RECEIVE "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

* CONFESS "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 whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13).

Friend, according to God's Word, if you and I will: 1) acknowledge that we are sinners, and thus facing eternal separation from God; 2) believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who, as God's Son, died on the cross for your sins and mine, and believe that God the Father raised Him from the dead; 3) receive the Lord Jesus into our hearts and lives by an act of faith; and, 4) are willing to confess Him as Lord and Saviour, THEN we can accept God's free gift right now!

Talk to God something like this: "Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner. I understand that the Lord Jesus died in my place - for my sins. Lord Jesus, I receive You right now into my heart and life. I thank You for forgiving my sins and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Live out Your resurrection life in me, and help me to find some good Christian friends."

If you have just received the Lord Jesus Christ into your life, here are some verses that will help you to be sure of your decision: 1 John 5:1 says, "Whoever BELIEVES that Jesus is the Christ (God's anointed) is born of God." 1 John 5:13 states, "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." Because, "He who HAS the Son HAS life; he who does not HAVE the Son of God does not HAVE life" (I John 5:12). Salvation is not a "hope so" or "maybe so" experience, but a KNOW SO experience. Your attitudes and habits will begin to change! Study Galatians 5:16 - 6:2.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ it is urgent that you realize that death is sure. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). "Behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2b).

Friend, I hope to meet you in heaven!

- L. T. Cook (adapted).

The bible text in this pamphlet is from the New King James Version, Copyright (c) 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.