God's Purpose: Honor and Serve Him

God created man to honor, serve and fellowship with Him. The Bible says...

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive gloy and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Revelation 4:11

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 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 fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

What does it mean to sin against God?

Sin is breaking God's law- "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." 1 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 free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus 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- "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked" Ephesians 2:1
  • Physical death separates a person's soul from the body- "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" Hebrews 9:27
  • Eternal death separates a person, both soul and body, from God forever- "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he has thrown into the lake of fire." Revelations 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 that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 14:12

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may 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 shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God." 1 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, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through 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 therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Acts 16:31a

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

God's Promise: Eternal Life

Jesus Christ said, "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my word, and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." John 5:24

This verse has one promise with three parts. The person who believes:

(1) He 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 cross, rose from the dead, and is Lord.
(3) Call upon Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.