Need God?
The Choice.
Which of these 4 gifts would you choose, if given the chance? You can only pick one.
The original Mona Lisa (most expensive painting in the world, valued at $970 million).
A new Rolls-Royce Boattail (most expensive car in the world, valued at $26.2 million).
$10 million in cash, tax free
A parachute (typical cost = $1,000 to $5,000).
Were you instinctively drawn to one over another? How much money could you spend in a lifetime? 😊 Perhaps I should give you some added info before you lock in that choice.
You will have to jump out of an airplane from an altitude of 10,000 feet.
Whoa. Does that change things? It should. You might want the big bucks, but you need the parachute. Without it, thanks to the Law of Gravity, you will hit the ground at 120 mph. Your chance of survival? Would you believe… less than zero?
Knowing you will have to jump should produce a healthy, heart-pounding fear in you. That fear is good because it can save your life. It will drive you to the parachute – the only choice that makes sense. Hold that thought.
The Leap.
You and I are part of the same ultimate statistic. Along with everyone else on the planet. Ten out of ten people will die. We’re all standing on the edge of Eternity. For most people, death is a terrifying leap into the unknown. So, what should we do?
Find a trustworthy parachute. Right?
Your Dilemma.
What parachute are you trusting to save you when you leap into Eternity? Is it your goodness? Are you good enough to get into Heaven? How good is good enough?
How will you do when God measures you by the Ten Commandments on Judgment Day?
Four Things You Need to Know About God
1. GOD IS HOLY AND JUST.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.” (Psalm 89:14)
In civil law, a good judge must punish crime. If he turns a blind eye to injustice, then he is corrupt and he himself should be punished. How much more so God? This is the teaching of the Bible — that God will “by no means clear the guilty.” He “will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” “God is angry with the wicked every day.”
2. HIS WORD SAYS “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH”
“Sin is transgression of the Law.” (1 John 3:4)
What would someone be like if he always kept the Law (the Ten Commandments)? He would always love God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. He’d love his neighbor as much as he loves himself. He’d never make a god to suit himself (either with his hands or in his mind).
He would always give God’s name reverence, keep the Sabbath holy, honor his parents implicitly, and never be “angry with his brother without a cause.” He would never hate anyone, have lust in his heart, or have illicit sex. Never. Not even once.
He would never steal even a paper clip or ballpoint pen or tell as much as one “white” lie. And he would never desire anything that belongs to someone else. He is, always has been, and always would be “pure in heart.” Perfect in thought, word, and deed.
Sound like you? Or anyone you know? Truth is, we are not like that. We have all “sinned” many times. Therefore, we have stored up God’s wrath which will be revealed on Judgment Day. The proof that we have sinned will be our death, and after death we must face God in judgment.
If He has seen our every thought, word, and deed (He has!), and if He is going to bring all our sins out as evidence of our guilt on Judgment Day (He will!), we will all be found guilty.
Our conscience has shown us right from wrong, so we will be without excuse. God will give us justice, and Hell will be the place of our eternal punishment. “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.”
Remember that healthy, heart-pounding fear at the thought of jumping 10,000 feet? If the thought of being found guilty on Judgment Day makes us sweat, that’s good. Because healthy fear of God’s justice and eternal punishment will make us want to get right with God.
3. GOD IS RICH IN MERCY TO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…” (Ephesians 2:4)
We have all broken God’s Law many times. But God came to this earth in the person of Jesus Christ and paid our fine. That’s what happened on the Cross. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus satisfied eternal justice, and then rose from the dead, defeating death. Hundreds saw Him after His resurrection. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about the promised Savior, written in the Holy Scriptures hundreds of years before His birth.
He’s the only Trustworthy Parachute for the leap we must all make.
But just as we cannot earn a gift, so we cannot earn eternal life by our good works. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
4. GOD OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
Life’s greatest mystery, death, was destroyed by the One who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” The Bible says, “He who has the Son has life…”
To find the way to God, to understand the truth of God’s Word, and to receive the gift of eternal life, begin by repentance and faith through a prayer like this:
“Dear God, I understand that I have broken Your Law and sinned against You. Please forgive my sins. Thank you that Jesus suffered and died on the cross in my place and rose again. I now place my trust in Him as my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Have you ever prayed such a prayer? And really meant it… from your heart, not just lip service?
If you have repented and trusted in Jesus, then your sins are forgiven, and you can now partake in the blessings of “the New Covenant.”
Repentance is more than just confession. It’s genuine heartbreak over your sins against God. And resolve to forsake them… not keep repeating them.
Trusting is more than just believing. It’s putting your life where your mouth is. Yielding to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Putting Him first. Following His lead… come what may.
So, have you? Will you? We’re here to help.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Search the Scriptures daily, and see what God has in store for those that love Him. Honor Christ’s command to be baptized.
Find yourself a Jesus-centered, Bible-teaching church and commit yourself to it. That’s what we are here at First Sebring Church. Come join us… and let’s grow in faith together!
May God continue to bless you as you obey Him.
Attribution: The above content, with minor adaptations, was created by Ray Comfort at Living Waters. It is shared here by permission and can be seen in its original format at https://livingwaters.com/are-you-a-good-person/.