Is there any hope?
With all the problems in the world today, it makes you wonder if there is any hope. Well, yes, there is hope. But our hope isn’t in money, power, position, jobs, possessions or government. Our hope isn’t even in religion. Our only hope is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
–God has a PLAN, and His plan is for everybody.
The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” God’s plan is that we would know Him personally, and spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Jesus told us in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.” For Jesus to receive us to Himself is to take us to be with Him in heaven. Isn’t that great news?
But…
–We have a PROBLEM, and the problem is sin.
Sin is disobeying God, and we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And sin has a very high price tag! Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death.” This death is not only physical, but spiritual – eternal separation from God in a very real place called hell.
God loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. But we can’t make it to heaven on our own. Our sinful condition will keep us from heaven. We need help! We need forgiveness!
The GOOD NEWS is…
–There is a PROVISION. Jesus paid the price for our sin.
Jesus freely gave His life to pay for your sin. 1 Peter 3:18 tells us that “[Jesus] Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous [sinless – that’s Jesus] for the unrighteous [sinful – that’s you], to bring you to God.”
Not only did He die for sins, but he rose from the dead. Romans 4:25 tells us that Jesus “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Because He died and rose from the dead, He can offer new life to everyone. In fact, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Since Jesus died for our sins…
–There is a PROMISE. Forgiveness and eternal life are available to all.
To receive forgiveness and eternal life, you must receive Jesus as your Savior. John 1:12 says, “to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” Romans 10:13 tells us that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” To be “saved” is to be rescued from an eternity in hell; to be delivered from the penalty of your sin.
We either choose to receive Jesus and be saved, or we choose to reject Jesus, and we are eternally separated from God. It’s your choice.
To choose a relationship with Jesus Christ is as easy as A-B-C:
ADMIT to God that you are a sinner. Agree with God about your sin. He already knows!
BELIEVE that Jesus died and paid the price of your sin, and that He rose from the grave. Don’t just believe the facts. Believe in faith that He died for you.
COMMIT your life to Jesus. You start by asking Jesus to save, to rescue or deliver you from your sins, and surrendering your life to Him.
If you want to receive Jesus as your Savior, all you have to do is ask. You can pray this prayer and be saved today. Keep in mind that it’s not the words of this prayer that will save you, it’s the Savior in whom you’re putting your faith and trust that saves you.
Dear Jesus,
I know that I’m a sinner and I can’t save myself. I believe that You died to pay for my sins, and I believe that You rose from the grave. As best as I know how, I ask You to forgive my sin, and be my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
If you have made this decision today, we want to encourage you to tell someone what Jesus has done for you, and get involved in a Bible-believing church. If we can be that church for you, just let us know.
Dr. Gary Carroll, Pastor
Email me if you have any questions
Below is a great video that explains how you can begin a new relationship with God the Father through God the Son, Jesus Christ. (I don’t have any control over the videos recommended on the right side of the linked video, therefore I don’t necessarily recommend any of them.)