TEMPLATE

We live in a society that is constantly on the go. Go to work, go pick up the kids at school, go get groceries, go to the kid’s soccer game. We are a go, go, going people.
     We plan and adjust our schedules. In our planning, we do not take into account the uncertainty of the future. We plan for tomorrow, yet tomorrow may never come. The reality of life is that our lives will end one day.
     Many years ago, Jesus told a story of a business man who made future plans. He needed more room in the barns for his crops. He made plans to tear down his small barns in order to make room

for larger ones. But before he could see his plans come to fruition, he died. The furthest thing from his mind was the eventuality and reality of death. He made plans for his life here on earth. He did not, however, make plans for his life after death.
Jesus called this man a fool because “he laid up treasure for himself, and was not rich toward God [Luke 12:20-21].” Friend, what are your plans for next year, next month, next week, or even tomorrow? Have you planned for life after death? If so, then how? Hebrews 9:27 states, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Here are five simple truths you must consider. . .

     First, everyone is a sinner. It does not matter what one’s religious background is, or even what good works one does, we all fall short of the standard God set for us. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”

     Second, there is a price that must be paid for that sin. As somber and frightening as it is, the Bible clearly teaches that as a result of our sin we deserve to be separated forever from God in hell. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death…” Isaiah 59:2 declares, “But your iniquities [sins] have separated between you and your God,”

      Third, good works will never pay that price. There is not one, or even more than one deed we can do, rite w

e can perform, or law we can keep that has the ability to pay for one sin that we have committed. The only hope we have is for God to pay that price for us. 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.”

Fourth, Jesus paid that price for mankind. Jesus took the punishment we deserve. He died on the cross, shedding His blood. Three days later He rose again from the grave. Romans 5:8 proclaims, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Isaiah 53:5, 6 states, “But he was wounded for our transgressions [sins]… the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity [sin] of us all.”

Fifth, you must receive this free gift. Friend, you need to make a decision: will you trust in Christ as your Savior? It is time to stop trusting in your own efforts, good works, religion, or good intentions because they are not able to pay for your sins. You must trust in Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection as the only way for your sins to be forgiven. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”