Knowing God

The Way to Eternal Life

The lust of the flesh is the natural craving of sinful man.  It’s the constant pursuit to satisfy our physical and emotional desires.  It’s the constant attempt to accumulate enough power, money, influence, fame, or attention to finally arrive at contentment.  It is dumping stuff into the hole of eternal longing in hopes of filling it up.  The problem is that yesterday’s longing becomes old news.  Godless man experiences a new, unfulfilled longing every day.  The pile of money we made yesterday won’t do for today.  The alcohol, sex, fame, fortune, religion, or anything else we pursue, will never quench godless man’s longing, because our hearts are bent and damaged by sin.

Does this sound familiar?  This is the plight of a fallen man.  God created us in His image, to have fellowship with Him forever.  We are eternal creatures made to be with the Lord.  Those things that keep us from the Lord are called sins. 

God is perfect in every way.  Man was first created by the Lord in perfection.  But sin entered the picture through Adam and Eve.  Because of this, you and I have never known perfection.  All we’ve known is a proclivity toward sin. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

You aren’t alone.  We’re all in the same predicament.  No one has overcome this on their own.  Our natural inclination is toward self-rule.  We want to be king over our lives and make our own rules.  God gives us the freedom to do that.  However, He warns us that it won’t end well.  All our corruption and sin will leave us empty, broken, and shameful.  All those things we thought would be fun, might have been for a season.  However, in the end, we’re just as empty, if not more so. 

The bigger issue though is we owe an eternal penalty.  We’ve sinned against our creator.  We’ve failed to live life His way.  We lied, stolen, lusted, dishonored our parents, used His name as a curse word, and much more.  We've broken all His commandments.  Our sins are leading us to an eternity apart from God, called hell.

For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)

God doesn’t want you to be in hell.  He calls to us.  His Holy Spirit beckons to you.  He loves you.  We don’t have to clean ourselves up or fix all our problems before accepting His call.  He’s waiting for you to simply decide to call on Him.  He will do the work.

The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b)

Salvation is there for you.

First, recognize that you are sinful and owe a great eternal debt.  This is acknowledging your spiritual need before the Lord.  Talk to the Lord.  Tell Him what’s on your heart.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

Second, recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.  Jesus didn’t deserve death, but He died in your place.  He took your sin and gave you His righteousness.  

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Third, turn from your sin and trust in Jesus.  This is called repentance and faith.  It quite literally means to reverse direction.  Turning from your sin is the same as turning toward Jesus.  To trust in Jesus is to acknowledge we’ve been bought by His blood from the slavery of sin and death.  We leave old life characterized by sin for this new life in Him.  

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19).

If you approach the Lord, confess your sin, repent, and trust in Him, He will save you.  Then, you need to be in fellowship with other believers.  You should get baptized.  Then the process of sanctification and discipleship will begin.  One of the most important things is to begin studying God’s word.  Open your bible and find out about the One who loved you so much that he sent Jesus Christ to die on your behalf.  The Lord will begin a work in you. 

Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday.  It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart.  Jesus said:

"Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in " (Revelation 3:20).

When you are saved, the Lord places the Holy Spirit in you.  This is the third person of our triune God.  This is Christ in you!  The Holy Spirit is your guard and guide.  He will educate you, convict you, correct you, love you, gift you, and encourage you.  He is your assurance of salvation and guarantee of eternity with the Lord. 

Just talk to God, he will hear you.  He is waiting for you to turn to him.  Today is the day of your salvation.