​There are big questions that haunt all of us. What happens when I die? Where will I spend eternity? The single most important question that you will ever answer is this - “If I were to die today, would I spend eternity in Heaven with God?”  Your relationship to Jesus Christ is central to the answer to that question. The Bible tells us in I John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...” The simple truth is God wants you to know where you're going! So, here it is in a nutshell:

Can a person know God?

Have you ever had a broken relationship? It happens. People drift. Friendships collapse. Things come between us.  Not only are broken relationships painful, but they're discouraging too. It's frustrating when we can't seem to find the cause or figure out how to repair the relationship.
God doesn't want us to go through life with torn relationships-especially our relationship with Him.
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It might surprise you, but God wants a relationship with you. In fact, the most well­ known verse in the Bible tells us of God's love: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
God made a way for us to know Him, and He doesn't leave us guessing how-He tells us in the Bible.​

We all fall short

Have you ever wondered why, if God loves us, everyone in the world doesn't automatically have a relationship with Him? What is it that keeps us from God?   The Bible tells us that it is sin that keeps us from God. Sin is any act contrary to God's laws and commandments, and all of us sin.

In Romans 5:12 we see that since Adam and Eve (the first man and woman on earth) a sin nature has been present in all people: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." No one had to teach us how to sin; sinning comes naturally to us.

So sin separates us from God. It makes a chasm or gulf between us so that we can't reach God. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
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Also, our sin has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death ...." The "wage" or payment for our sin is spiritual death-eternal separation from God in Hell.

Religion and good works are n0t enough

Some people believe that they can pay the price for sin by doing good works or being involved in religion. This may seem logical, but it's not what the Bible says. In fact, the Bible specifically tells us that we can't earn our way to Heaven through good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
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A moment ago, we saw that the payment God set for sin is death. When we try to pay for our sins through good works, religion, sincerity, or any other way, it won't work. Although it is good to be kind to your neighbor and care about church, these things cannot satisfy the payment that God set for sin.​

The Good News - God has made a way!

Some people believe that they can pay the price for sin by doing good works or being involved in religion. This may seem logical, but it's not what the Bible says. In fact, the Bible specifically tells us that we can't earn our way to Heaven through good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
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A moment ago, we saw that the payment God set for sin is death. When we try to pay for our sins through good works, religion, sincerity, or any other way, it won't work. Although it is good to be kind to your neighbor and care about church, these things cannot satisfy the payment that God set for sin.​

You can be reconciled to God through Christ

Although Jesus already paid for our sins and offers us a relationship with Him (and eternal life in Heaven too), we must choose to receive His gift. We must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin.
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Romans 10:13 says we must simply call out to Him to save us from the penalty of our sin: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

This is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Saviour, He promises to save you. You can make that decision today by praying something like this from your heart:

Dear Lord, I know that I am separated from You because of sin. I confess that in my sin I cannot save myself. Right now, I turn to you alone to be my Saviour. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life for me. Amen.

You'll never regret that decision! If you have just trusted Jesus Christ, we would love to know about your decision and give you a Bible and some other materials to help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at (360) 428-7012 and let us know today!​