Salvation: Having a relationship with God on His Terms

#JesusChrist #Jesus #areyouatare #areyoubornagain

By Ric Joyner

We have been talking with people that have been in church all their lives. Most are or were in mainline denominations. However, they "don't connect" with the church anymore, and worse, the Word of God (Bible) they say they can't understand or don't want to. "Church is a business." "God doesn't answer my prayers." "Too many bad things in the world." "Too many hypocrites (like me in the church)." I added the "like me" because we are all broken pottery. I get it. But the problem is that Jesus warned, in a parable Matthew 13:24-30, that..."The wheat sprouted and bore grain; then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' (NASB Matthew 13:24) AN ENEMY. Could people be in church and never know they need to be born again? YES. They are tares! What is born again? Christ told the equivalent of the POPE of Israel in John 3, named Nicodemus; he needed to be born brand new from heaven. Only God can make us born again by His Spirit. If we think being good is good enough or what we do to be good is the answer, we are in trouble. But how are we born again? We must put our faith (in God's word) and trust in Christ to save us from our sin and place our sins upon Him by faith, or we are in danger of carrying them into eternity while thinking we are a good person. Good people, by whose, or WHOSE standard? Ours or God's? I don't care about the denomination, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Charismatic, or a host of others. We all must be born again. BTW, if you are living a life full of sin and have been in church all of your life, perhaps that is a significant indicator you need to ask the Lord to save you. Here is an excellent link in case this is missing in your life. DON'T BE A TARE (an enemy of God) that does not bear fruit (wheat) for their Master. You can come to Him today and cry out to Him for salvation just by asking Him. Are you struggling to believe in His saving work on the cross? Then share that too with Him, but ask Him to help you believe. Here is the link. https://biblestudycompany.com/blog/article/81

Ever wonder what happens when we die? Dr. Baruch of Loveisrael.org gives a scriptural defense of what happens when we die. Here is the video.

It will either comfort you or cause you alarm. If you are alarmed because you are not sure where you will spend eternality then do this:

Take the 10 commandments Exodus 20 and read them back to the Lord. How do you stack up? Have you lied? Yes. Have you made God into your own image? Have you lusted after anyone? Yes. You committed adultery in your heart Christ said. Have you spoken evil about someone? This is called murdering someone in your heart. You are a sinner like the rest of us. And the wages of sin is death. Eternal death. But we have hope in what Christ did on the cross for us. He took the punishment we should have experienced. So place your sins on Him and turn away from your sin but ask God to help you to change. Here is a video on whether you are good enough to get into heaven. We all think we are good people. But whose standard are we deciding by? 

To have a relationship with God versus religion pray this prayer sincerely, and in your own words.  Dear Heavenly Father, (Matt. 6:9)  I want a relationship with You...not a religion. I come to You and open my heart. (John 3:16) I will be honest and sincere with You. (John 4) I am running my life and need Your help. (Matt. 6:10) I was made in Your image and I won't be happy until I am in a relationship with you. (Gen. 3)  Most of my behavior does not please You. (Romans 3:23) I know I am a sinner, so please forgive my sins because Jesus Christ, Your Son, came to die for me. (John 3:16) I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and salvation is a free gift! It cannot be earned through good works. (Eph. 2:8) You did this so that I can be in a relationship with You on earth and for all eternity. (Romans 10:9-13) And, I will forgive those who have sinned or hurt me too, since you have forgiven me. Take away any bitterness or resentment I carry. (Matt. 6:13-14) Please show me and teach me how to live a praiseworthy life on earth to You. (Matt. 6:33, Acts 9 and 10) I know You love me Father, and I want to love You as well and that you have a purpose and plan for my life.  Please teach me to pray. (Matt. 6:9) Thank you, God for saving me to Yourself (Ex. 19:1-8) and making me a new person! (2 Cor. 5:17) In Jesus name I pray, Amen!   Learn to grow at www.biblestudycompany.com