The Most Important Decision You Will Make In Life – An Eternal Decision
What eternal decision can you make? It’s an invitation to receive your salvation, live for God, and dwell eternally with Him.
According to Judeo-Christian Scripture, we are eternal beings. When our physical bodies perish, our spirits separate from those bodies and ascend to a higher dimension. But where we dwell in that dimension depends on our salvation status with God.
We may dwell with God in paradise or spend eternity in the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Paradise is spiritual life, and the outer darkness is “the Second Death”.
The Sinner’s Prayer and Discipleship
Billy Graham was a Gospel Preacher who led thousands – maybe millions- to their salvation. It has the “Sinner’s Prayer” printed on it. This brochure illustrates how to quickly get people to salvation during a Billy Graham crusade or a quick discussion on the street. Another reason for the brochure is if someone is still deciding whether to make that decision, they can take it home and think about it.
Rarely is in depth discussion or mentoring help offered as a result of the brochure. The new believer must follow through and call the number provided for additional help.
Also, the brochure relies on the new believer to follow through and call the phone number provided. Many don’t follow through, and that’s a problem because we are instructed to “work out our salvation“, which means that we cooperate with the work God is doing in us. If we don’t understand what God is doing, we can’t cooperate with Him.
That’s why we need mentoring. It’s known as “discipleship”. That requires that we stay in close touch with God. Just praying “The Sinner’s Prayer” doesn’t ensure that will happen.
Did you know? The Sinner’s Prayer is only around 80 years old. Before this, people simply believed in Jesus and asked Him to receive them.
The prayer is meant as a guide, but a guide is only beneficial if the prayer is heart-felt and a commitment.
We’re Here To Help
Like the brochure, our website can only offer mentoring if we hear from you. Though we have an advantage on the brochure- it’s easy to comment or ask a question because you’re right here. It’s convenient!
Eternal Decision Leading to Eternal Life – Not The Second Death
What if you could live on forever after this life? Suppose you were surrounded by perfect love where nobody suffers lack, and everyone has all they need. What if there is no injustice or unfairness there? That would be perfect, wouldn’t it? If that were so, it would be the best eternal decision you can make.
An eternal life like that described above is a possibility – except for one thing. Sin separates us from God. And separated from God we can only land in the “outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Original Sin – How it Impacts Your Eternal Decision
Recorded in the first book of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures is this passage: “The Lord God commanded [Adam], saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
Later in Genesis, we see this passage:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-6
Original Sin Became Everyones’ Sin Passed Down From Generation to Generation
Adam and Eve sinned, and they died.
In sinning, they brought sin into the earth, broke covenant with God, and were separated from God as a result. And every man, woman, and child has sinned since then, which breaks relationship with God.
God may seem mean-spirited for allowing that separation between us and Him. But God’s character is pure and is repulsed by sin.
Isaiah 59:2 says, “…[Your] iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” That impacts your eternal decision.
Something had to be done to restore that relationship between us and God. The first man, Adam, broke relationship with God through sin. Jesus, who was completely God, but completely man – was sinless. Because of that He was the one person qualified to pay the price of sin, so He paid that price for us. He must love us a lot to do that.
What Is The Problem With Sin?
“…[The] wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
Jesus paid the wages of sin for us on our behalf by dying on the cross. He did it for Love. He took the sins of everyone upon Himself even though He was blameless—all of us. Consequently, God can reconcile us to Him and restore what we had before the original sin if we take that opportunity.
All we have to do is take this on faith as the truth, and believe Jesus is who He said He is to receive that salvation.
Jesus didn’t do that because we are sinners. He had to remove the barrier of sin between us and God. But removing that barrier would be meaningless if that was the only reason Jesus came. But we were lost sons and daughters, and that is the reason Jesus considered it a joy to pay for our sins. God removes that barrier of sin through Jesus, which restores us to being sons and daughters of God.
Do you believe this? If you do, make an eternal decision. Receive it from God. You are a new creation because, as Jesus said, you are born again!
Make a Clean Cut From the Past – It’s Part of That Eternal Decision
Then, get water baptized. Scripture mentions water baptism as a next step. Why?
Because it symbolizes death to the old life (when you are submerged in the water), and rising up in new life (when you come up out of the water). It marks the beginning of your new “born again”* life, and it’s an experience you will always remember.
This act helps you on your journey.
This is what it means when Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23
You can tangibly refer to your “before and after” and that helps train you up in righteousness. We are called to not look back to our past, because our past can only serve to condemn us. You will find that you live in the present and have hope for the future. Consequently, you will begin to understand you grow from the position you are free from sin, (Jesus took that on Himself – all sins – past, present, and future). And when you understand who you are because of this, you begin to take on Jesus’s character instead of always being condemned by your past.
You grow spiritually. And that is eternally important.
Invite the Holy Spirit to Guide You
When you truly take this truth into you and it becomes how you see the world, God’s Holy Spirit enters you and dwells with you and will guide you into all truth. You can pray to the Holy Spirit because He is God. It’s God’s Spirit left with us after Jesus was resurrected. Ask Him to speak to you in a tangible way and thank Him for guiding you. He will do that. Learn to hear God’s voice in you.
Grow Your Relationship With God
God is all about relationship. He wants us to call Him “Father“. Jesus wants us to call Him “brother” and “friend“. God wants many of us around Him. He is “relationship oriented”.
He paid the ultimate price to reconcile us back to Him. The good news is that after dying, Jesus was resurrected! As a result, as Scripture says, Jesus conquered sin and death. Any of the rest of us, after dying, would have stayed dead. It was only possible through Jesus.
And He wants us to get close in relationship to Him. Jesus instructs, “…when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Keep after these things, and you will make a great eternal decision, and reflect God in your life and give Him glory, and you will dwell with Him in eternity.
(* Note: being “born again” is a concept that Jesus Himself introduced to us. It doesn’t mean a specific religious group that labels itself “born again”. We are all “born again” if we are believers.)
What Salvation is Not
There is a temptation, especially if you stop with praying what has been called “the Sinner’s Prayer”, is to re-enter the life you had before making that decision.
Life won’t look the same after that prayer if you prayed it heartfully. You are changed on the inside. You want to draw near to God and you begin to do that. But stopping with that prayer and feeling satisfied you have secured an “Eternal Life Insurance” policy is not a good thing. It’s actaully selfish when you want to be selfless.
Church is not supposed to be a social club. It is supposed to be a place we gather to stir each other in love and good works. We can’t fool God. He knows the sincerity of our hearts. He knows when we aren’t being honest with ourselves.
Testimony We Carry Beyond the Grave
Think about this, our lives, given to us from God, builds a testimony about us that will be used on Judgment Day. Words won’t tell the story like our testimony. The context will expose there will be no way we can deceive or lie to God. We will see ourselves in the context and know we did wrong if we live a lie about salvation.
Jesus taught, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:22. He is referring to those who deceive themselves thinking they are living a life of salvation, when they are really just living the life they had before salvation – just with a Christian themed lifestyle…a “fallen-world Christianity”.
Fallen-World Christianity
“Fallen-world Christianity” actually pushes people away. It’s a false testimony for one associated to Jesus. It’s what the world sees is wrong with Christians.
We were created in God’s image, humanity fell when Adam and Eve sinned and we lost that image of God, and we lost that image.
Since then we have lived in a sin-nature – unless we’re born again.
“Fallen-world Christianity” actually pushes people away. It’s a false testimony for one associated to Jesus. It’s what the world sees is wrong with Christians.
We were created in God’s image, humanity fell when Adam and Eve sinned and we lost that image of God, and we lost that image. Since then we have lived in a sin-nature – unless we’re born again.
Heading the Right Direction
“…[Those] who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24
Think about these things when committing to Christ. It’s a full-on, full-lifetime commitment. It’s the biggest Eternal Decision you will make in this life. You could be persecuted or even killed for your faith. It has happened to people. It occurs today mostly in dominantly extremist Muslim places, but it also happens in dominantly Hindu and Buddhist places. Most of us only experience light afflictions.
Dying is a part of life. We will all one day pass on. The real question is, will you be satisfied to live life frivolously, satisfying selfish pleasures, and die in your sins – and face eternal damnation? Or, like a wise investor who reaps great reward at the proper time, will you invest in your eternal life? You know our answer.
The Greatest Benefit
Consequently, this is the best benefit of making the right investment. God is all the things we pursue in life that are important. In our fallen state, we just look for those things in all the wrong places. He is selfless love. God is complete fair and just. He wants everyone to benefit – but makes it our choice. With God, there is no need or lack.
Send your thoughts and questions on your Eternal Decision
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