HOW TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

The events that occurred before we were even born tell a powerful, true story.

Nearly two thousand years ago, a child was born.  His birth was unlike any other before or since.  His mother was a virgin who, through God's power, became pregnant with a child named Jesus, God's one and only Son.

Jesus grew up just like anyone else, except for one important thing.  He never thought, or said, or did anything wrong.  When Jesus was thirty years old, he began telling people what God His Father was like.  He told people how they could have a relationship with God by turning away from sin and believing in Him.  He showed God's kindness by healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and even bringing dead people back to life.

Everything Jesus did was good and right, but many people still hated Him.  They falsely accused Him of crimes.  Finally, they persuaded their ruler to kill Him by nailing Him to a rough, wooden cross.  Jesus hung from that cross until He died.  Heartbroken, His friends buried Him.  But, three days later an astounding thing took place:  God raised Jesus from the dead!  During the next forty days, over 500 people saw Jesus, which was solid proof that He really was alive again.  Then, with many watching, He rose through the skies to His Father to take His place as ruler over all the universe.

But before Jesus left the earth, He promised to return.  When He does return, the world as we know it will end.  Jesus will then judge every person who has ever lived.  Some will receive eternal life with Him.  Others will suffer eternal punishment in hell.

The story you have just read is known as the Gospel, or "Good News."  You'll be able to understand why this is "Good News" after you read some bad news.  God created humans to honor, serve and enjoy Him.  But, from the beginning, people have chosen to live their own way, rather than obeying the desires and commands of God.  That is called sin.  Though every human sins, God Himself is sinless.  He hates sin, and He has warned that everyone who sins will be severely punished.  There's not a thing men and women can do to save themselves from the punishment they deserve.  That's bad news.

But, Jesus has done what no person ever could.  You see, Jesus died for a reason.  It wasn't simply because men hated Him.  He died because His Father lovingly decided to punish Him, instead of us.  In other words, Jesus took our place.  He became our substitute.  God's sinless Son received the punishment we deserved, so that we might receive the reward He deserved.  How can we be sure that God accepted His death in our place?  By the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead and took Him up into Heaven.

Jesus is not just another religious leader telling us what to do.  He is God.  Because He has freed us from the power and punishment of sin, He deserves our trust and obedience. 

The elect in Christ are regenerated, or "born again."  After hearing these truths and believing them, we asked God to forgive our sins and to help us begin living for Him.  God granted these requests, but not because we deserved it or did anything special.  He mercifully forgave each of His elect on the basis of what Jesus did on the cross.

The Good News of the Gospel has changed our lives at Westminster.  God has turned us around and given us a sense of joy and fulfillment that keeps growing.  Though we're far from perfect, God is helping us live the way He always wanted us to live.  Maybe you think that none of this applies to you.  But, God sees things differently.  He sees you living your own way rather than for Him.  He knows there is nothing in your power you can do to change or to make yourself acceptable to Him.

But God will have mercy on you, as He has on all of His elect, when you:

  • trust in Jesus' death as the only thing that can pay the penalty for your sin; and
  • turn away from your sins, and live to please and obey God rather than yourself.

God is eager to forgive you.  He wants to have a relationship with you as your Father.  His Word teaches the doctrine of "Divine Election" and it tells us that He is the One Who gives "saving faith," which is the ability to embrace His truth.  So, God Himself pursues us.   Does the truth on this page interest you?  Do you feel that it applies to you?  It could be that God is pursuing you right now.  Accept His offer of salvation and He will give you the power to live the rest of your life (and all of eternity) honoring, serving and enjoying Him. 

If you have questions regarding eternal life, please feel free to contact Pastor Steve Jones at 217.379.2017 or email him at steve.jones@pca-paxtonil.org.

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They who trust
in the LORD are like
Mount Zion, which
cannot be moved, but abides forever

Psalm 125:1 (ESV)