An Alarming Truth
Within the next twenty-four hours an estimated 150,000 people will die! That is about 55 million people every year! The sad news is that most people are not ready to meet death. Everyday we read of calamities taking place all around our world. Natural disasters, invisible diseases, unpredictable tragedies, unprecedented violence and war, the list is long ticking up the death toll daily. Although we may not like to think about it, there is coming a day when death will come for each of us. Are you ready? You can be!
1. Admit you have sinned against God.
Sin infects all people and the death rate is 100% of the people sin infects. The Bible says, "For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." Ecclesiastes 7:20 Have you ever lied, stolen anything regardless of value, or used the holy name of God as a filthy curse word? When you compare your goodness with God's standard of goodness, surely you would admit, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
2. Recognize the penalty of sin is death.
Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death." This death is not only a physical death but also a spiritual separation from a loving God because of our sins. All men die because all men have sinned against God. Because we all have worked the work of sin we all have earned a the wages of death. The penalty for our sin is like a paycheck with one word written across it, "DEATH." If you are in a long line to receive the death penalty because of your sins, hopefully you will ask, "How can I get out of this line?"
3. Accept the payment for your sins.
Romans 5:8 teaches us, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Salvation is a free gift because Jesus paid the required price for the forgiveness of our sins by dying on the cross. "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 While we cannot be or do good enough to pay for the crimes we have committed against the Lord, Jesus alone, paid the price we could not pay so that we can go free.
4. Believe Jesus rose from the dead.
To receive the free gift of salvation you must believe Jesus rose again from the dead. Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." The constant call from the Scriptures is a call to believe upon the Lord Jesus. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth upon him should not perish but have everlasting life."
5. Repent of your sinful ways.
When you understand the goodness of God there should be a personal desire to repent of going your sinful ways turning to follow Jesus instead. "Or despiset thou the riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." If you believe upon Jesus then follow His command, "But now commandeth all men every where to repent." Acts 17:30
6. Call upon Jesus for salvation
If you believe Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of you sins, then call upon Him in prayer. Romans 10:10, 13 says. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you are ready, why not call upon Jesus to save you today. Just pray the following prayer or one like it:
"Dear Lord, I know that I have sinned against you and that there is nothing I can do to save myself. I believe Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins and believe He rose again from the dead for the salvation of my soul. Jesus, I'm asking you to please forgive me of my sins, come into my life and save me, and take me to heaven when I die. Thank You. In Jesus name, Amen."