Life is a series of decisions: selection of a mate, choice of career path, eating habits, life styles, and so on. Each decision one makes opens new doors and closes others. There is only one decision, however, that has eternal consequences and that has to do with accepting, or not accepting, Jesus Christ as one’s personal savior. To do so makes one a child of God, a member of His family, with all rights of inheritance that the position carries. Failure to do so guarantees eternal separation from Him and His Kingdom in heaven.
God sent His only Son Jesus to Earth in order to give mankind an example of how to lead our lives and to free us from the burden of sin that we all carry. Jesus died on the cross for our sins – past, present and future – but we can only benefit from His sacrifice if we turn our hearts to Him. If we will, He will imbue us with the Holy Spirit, a kind of moral compass, to guide us through our lives here on earth and He will prepare a room in heaven for us. If we refuse, then we have decided our own fate: separation from the Creator of the Universe for eternity or, restated, hell for eternity.
God wants everyone to join Him, but He has left that choice to us. If you want to accept Jesus into your life and assure your eternal place in heaven, you must:
- Admit that you are a sinner
- Acknowledge that God loves you, and
- Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and become the role model for your life
There are many prayers one can say that will begin your new life in Jesus Christ. Here is one:
"Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. I know I have sinned and need forgiveness. I am willing to turn from my sins and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen"
If you make a declaration to God like this in earnest, your place in heaven is secure. Your next step is to find a church where you feel at home and get to know the Christian family into which you have just been adopted. Congratulations! You have just made the most important decision of your life…and chosen wisely.
