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All first time visitors to Louisburg Baptist Temple are “mugged”.
Do you believe that?!! Mugged in a Baptist Church ?!!
To be honest, it’s not quite as dramatic as it sounds. You
will be presented with a coffee mug with information in it about our church and
our ministries; they will also receive a lovely gift basket; put together by our
"Helping Hands" Seniors. However, there is another free gift that is more valuable than anything else you will ever receive. According to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, eternal life is a gift of God.
The Bible says, “… the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Keep in mind that a gift is something that is not earned or deserved by the receiver. You would not ask your friends or relatives to pay for their Christmas gifts from you any more than you would consider your hard earned paycheck a gift.
No amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in Heaven for you.
“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.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
No one can earn their way to heaven because the Bible says that man is a sinner by nature.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Sin is transgressing God’s law and includes such things as lying, lust, cheating, deceit, evil thoughts, immoral behavior, and much more. Because of this, man cannot save himself. If you wanted to save yourself by good deeds, do you know how good you would have to be?
“Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
With such a high standard, no one can save himself. However, in spite of our sin, God is merciful, and therefore does not want to punish us.
“… God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
“… I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3)
But, the same Bible which tells us that God loves us, also tells us that God is just, and therefore must punish sin.
“… (I) will by no means clear the guilty…” (Exodus 34:7)
“… the soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
God solved this problem for us in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us clearly that He is the infinite God-Man.
“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus)… and the Word (Jesus) was God. And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1,14)
He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place for us in Heaven.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity (sin) of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Jesus Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross and now offers you eternal life (Heaven) as a free gift.
This gift is received by FAITH.
Many people mistake 2 things for saving faith:
Saving faith is not mere head knowledge, like believing certain historical facts. The Bible says that the devil believes there is one God, so believing that there is one God is not saving faith.
Saving faith is not mere temporal faith, that is, trusting God for temporary crises such as financial, family, or physical needs. Now these are good, and you should trust Christ for these, but they are not saving faith!
SAVING FAITH is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting upon CHRIST ALONE and what HE has done rather than in what you or I have done to get us to Heaven.
“… Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31 )
The question that God is asking you now is, will you receive God’s gift of eternal life?
The Bible tells us exactly what is required:
“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:10,13)
If you are struggling with the words, here is a prayer you can pray:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me. Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation. I accept the free gift of eternal life.”
If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at what Jesus promises to those who believe in Him:
.… I say unto you, he that believes on me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)
If you have truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from your sins, placed your trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, and received the gift of eternal life, you are now a child of God! Forever!
Welcome to the Family of God!
Contact us and let us know, and we will be overjoyed to welcome you home into a local New Testament church! If you don’t live near us, still contact us and we will help you find a Bible-believing church in your area you can be a part of in your new life in Christ!
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