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God created man in His own image and placed him in a perfect environment, called Eden. Man was without sin and had direct fellowship with his Creator. God didn’t want puppets so man was created with a freewill. Tragically, man rebelled against God in disobedience and the fellowship was broken. Mankind is helpless to reverse his sinful state, but God, by grace, has made a way of reconciliation. He gave His own Son, Jesus, to be our substitute and pay our sin-debt in full.

A summary of God’s plan of salvation is outlined below. If you are uncertain of your relationship with God or your eternal destiny, please read carefully and know that Pastors Jim or Tyson would be delighted to spend time with you to make sure you understand how to be saved.

I have some good news and some bad news for you. But unlike the jokes, the good news is really very good, it comes after the bad news, and it is available to all.

THE BAD NEWS: There are two bad things God wants you to know…

#1 – You’re a sinner

Romans 3:10 / 3:23 “There is none righteous, no not one.” “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” SIN = falling short of God’s perfection. The Bible makes clear that all humans are sinners because we are not perfect in holiness as God is perfect.

It does not matter that you are a good person, even better than most. You’re a sinner.

#2 – The wages of sin is death

Romans 6:23a “The wages of sin is death”. DEATH = separation in the Bible. The soul separates from the body at physical death… and then it is separated from God at spiritual death (called the “second death” and goes to hell eternally).

THE GOOD NEWS: There are two good things God wants you to know…

#1 – Christ died for you

Romans 6:23b “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In mercy and grace, God pays the wage you owe because of your sin. His Son, Jesus, dies for you, paying that wage. God offers salvation as a free gift.

Romans 5:8 “God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us.” SUBSTITUTE = Jesus paid your debt. Jesus took the punishment that you deserve. God the Father doesn’t just overlook your sin, He punishes it… only Jesus takes the punishment instead of you.

#2 – You are saved through faith

Romans 10:9 & 13, “That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth on His should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

FAITH = to trust in / rely upon. To have faith in Jesus means to trust in Him alone for salvation. No longer trusting in your own goodness but relying fully on Him.

To illustrate: My mother believed in airplanes. She knew they flew all over the world. But she would never get on one and trust it to take her anywhere. It is not enough to believe they fly, if you will not trust them to get you where you want to go.

A lot of people “believe” in Jesus, but they trust their own goodness or religion to get them to heaven. No – you must trust Jesus alone – that His death and resurrection is sufficient payment for your sins. That is the faith that the Bible tells us about.

Question: Is there anything keeping you from trusting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right now?

Why not pray something like this:
“Dear God, I realize that I am a sinner. I believe your son Jesus Christ died for my sins and arose from the dead. I want to trust Him as my Savior right now. Please be merciful to me and save me. Amen.”
Please call or email me – I want to help you have the assurance and peace that you’ve done what God requires.

— Pastor Jim Fox
570-888-2347
crossroads1@stny.rr.com