Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:6-7
Christians are getting hammered today in the modern cultural avenues of communication and information dispensers. The text verses above are central to the reason so many people are calling Christians "intolerant," "exclusive," and "bigoted." Christians who really believe the Bible is God's word, take the position that God says what He means, and means what He says.
The truth of the Bible is that the words in it are the very words of God. They don't just 'convey' the words of God, but are in fact 'the word of God.' So, based on that fact, the only way to get to God is by receiving His Son, Jesus, who is the Christ. An earlier verse in the book of John, 1:12, states that ...as many as have received him (Jesus), to them gave he the power to become the sons of God.
Churches are full today of people who honestly believe they have received Jesus and therefore have come to God. They are there expecting the 'good life' and many wonder when that 'good life' is going to begin. People don't come to God through Jesus Christ because they want the good lilfe.
They come to God through Jesus Christ because they have been told and are convinced that they have sinned against a holy God. Due to that fact, they face a horrible consequence--eternity in the lake of fire. Every one who has ever lived has violated or broken at least one of the Ten Commandments. God's word is explicit when it states that if a person has broken only one of the commandments, he or she is guilty of all of them.
What are they? Why am I guilty of them? I'm a good person at heart. How could I be guilty? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything--anything means anything? Have you ever used God's name in vain? Have you ever lusted after someone of the opposite sex? I don't know of anyone who could not honestly answer, "No," to at least one or more of the above. That means you and I have broken God's Law.
On Judgement Day God will have to say, "Guilty," because we are guilty. Eternal punishment in the lake of fire is awaiting every person who has ever live. However, there is good news: God's Son, Jesus Christ, died on he cross in payment for every sin that has ever been committed. That is why Jesus could say in truth, "the only way to the Father is by Him.'
Have you accepted God's mercy and grace today? Have you accepted the payment of your sins by Jesus Christ today? That is the most important decision you will ever make. Why? Because as God says in His word, ...if in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable." We are living in the here and now for sure, but there is an eternity awaiting each of us. What we do or don't do in the here and now affects how we spend eternity. ACCEPT JESUS TODAY!
Look at the schedule of service listed below. Pick out one of the times that will work for you. Join us at Willow Springs Baptist Church. Let's all gather together and share the peace that only the Risen Christ can give.