"Saved from what?"  Well, I'm glad you asked.  How about outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth?  How about the lake of fire?   

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  Rev. 20:14-15

Cast into the lake of fire?  Sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn't it?  What kind of loving, all-merciful God would do that to somebody?  Especially somebody who really tried to live a good life?  That just doesn't seem fair, especially in this easy, "do whatever feels good" society we live in.

The answer:  God doesn't do it....we do.  We decide where we will end up.  God has provided a way for us to live with Him forever, but a lot of folks are just too proud or stubborn to ask for it.  Some people would actually rather rely on their own capabilities to accomplish the impossible, instead of receiving the free gift offered to them.   There is NOTHING that you or I could do to earn salvation.  Jesus already did it.  He was led away like a lamb to the slaugher to pay the ultimate price for our sins.  He didn't have to do it, but that's how much He loves us.  

If you were to meet the Lord today, this moment, would you be ready?  Would you have a reason why you should be allowed to enter into heaven?   What would that reason be? 

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.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ alone to save us, we cannot brag to others saying, "I was good enough to enter heaven, and to be with God," because it never has to do with our goodness.  We can never be good enough, we can never be made righteous until we accept the finished work of Christ on the cross.  When we do that, we are JUSTIFIED....that means JUST AS IF I'D never sinned.   So when you draw your last breath, (or when Jesus comes back to rapture the church) you'll be ready.  So that when you stand before God, you will stand before a loving Father.  But if you're not ready, you will stand before a righteous Judge.

God has been patient long enough.  If you look back in the Old Testament, God's wrath was fierce.  He was always killing off those folks who were rebellious and disobedient.  Sometimes He didn't even give them a chance to repent, it was just BAM and they were gone! Then, along came the Age of Grace - or the Church Age.  That's where we are today, but this age is quickly coming to an end.  And when it does, God will once again take a look around to see who's who.

This is not the time to be straddling the fence.  You must choose your side.  You've got two choices, serve the devil (yeah, he's real), or serve Jesus.  Sorry, but there's no middle of the road.  You can't wait to see how things will pan out...the Book has already been written, and we know the winner.  Will you be on the winner's side or the loser's side?  Hate to be so blunt, but I don't have time to be politically correct.

God is under no obligation to save anyone who doesn't want to be saved.  It breaks His heart, but He'll let you have your way.  He gave you free will – you can choose eternal life, or you can choose eternal separation from God, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

If you want to keep out of hell and the lake of fire, and live forever, you must be born again.

 

Don’t keep putting out the "Do not disturb" sign.  How many more chances do you think He'll give you?  If the Lord has been doing such a work on your heart that you now love Him more than you love your sin, call out to Him and thank Him!

Dear Lord Jesus,

I finally understand why people who know You wanted me to know You too.  Now I understand why You died on the cross; it was for me, for my sins, because You love me so much.

I know there's nothing I can do to earn salvation, so I receive the gift of salvation that You offer me, which was paid for by Your precious blood.

And finally Jesus, I thank You that I’m no longer headed to hell.  Thank You for taking all my sins upon Yourself and dying in my place.  Thank You Jesus, that You are alive, seated at the right hand of God the Father, and that I will live with You forever.

In Your Name,
Amen.

 

Email me if you have any questions.  Then start reading that old Bible that you have laying around somewhere.  The Holy Spirit is now your teacher, and He will lead you into all truth....just ASK Him.  Don’t accept what other humans tell you.  Find out the truth in God’s word and through prayer.

 

I personally welcome you into the family.  I'll see you in heaven!

 

Linda