Choosing your place in eternity
- Admit that all is not well between you and God. Not that you’re necessarily a bad person, but still… His standards are higher than you can reach. As the Bible says with some bluntness, “There is no difference… All Have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23).
- Believe that there’s still a chance to remedy this situation, however, thanks to the generous sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. He took the punishment we deserved. He stepped up on our behalf. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 5:6 and 6:23).
- Call out to the Lord for His forgiveness and acceptance. Tell him honestly that you want to be changed on the inside. In the words of the ancient prophet Joel, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13).
You can talk to God about anything, anywhere, using any words you wish. You don’t have to come up with a formal speech. Just be honest and tell God the essence of the A-B-C points above. If you feel uneasy, here’s a short prayer you can pray:
Dear God, I’d like to make things right with you. I admit I haven’t always lived the way I should and I’ve broken your rules. I ask for your forgiveness of my sins. Based on what Jesus did on my behalf, please accept me as one of Your children. I recognize you as the new Authority of my life, and I’ll do my best to follow Your direction Jesus. Be merciful to me, O God. Amen.
Focus on Jesus Christ as our Savior, our Healer, our Baptizer, and our Returning King. He is “what it’s all about” in our church. Not religion, not tradition, not denominational competition, not money, not power, not prestige. Everything we truly need is wrapped up in Him.