What are you living for?

This evening, while walking from work to the bus stop on the way home, I was handed a small brochure by a middle-aged lady outside the Commonwealth Bank Building in Queen St. What I thought would be another one of those junk mail handouts turned out to be anything but. The brochure I received was a Christian brochure - just a glance over for 1-2 seconds & I could tell this is the case. The title on the top front of the brochure read "What are you living for?", followed by a big question mark in the middle. More words appear under the big question mark, "Are you saved? If you die tonight, will you go to heaven?"

That really grabbed my attention. Even though I'm already a Christian, I knew this was not a brochure to be discarded or ignored. You see, the question "What are you living for?" is one which crop up in my mind from time to time. And recently, too, I've pondered on something similar to this question.

I continued holding the brochure in my hand as I headed towards the bus stop (didn't want to simply pocket such a treasure). On the bus, I read the brochure, instead of the latest issue of the AFR Smart Investor magazine which I subscribe to.

So, you might think, what's in the brochure, what does it say? Well, the brochure is divided into 4 parts - & I found it to be so good (contents seem biblical) that I shall type it out, since I can't find a copy of this on the internet which I can otherwise attach to this post (also, it's a good chance to sharpen my typing speed!). The end of the brochure refers to the website: www.intout.com.

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What are you living for?
Are you saved? If you die tonight, will you go to heaven?

(1) Our position

Eternal life is a gift but sin separates us from God. Sin is choosing to do what we clearly know is wrong....lying, theft, lust, hate, greed, etc.
The Bible says that "all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God" & "the wages of sin is death". This death is eternal separation, in hell. (Romans 3:23 & 6:23).
You cannot earn eternal life in heaven by being a good person, going to a certain church, doing good things or being baptised etc. (see Ephesians 2:8-9). God says "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).
You are dead in your sins.

(2) God's response

In His love, God has provided a way for you to be forgiven. The Bible says, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
On the cross, Jesus took the punishment you deserve & rose from the dead to offer you forgiveness of sins & new life, if you repent & trust in Him.
The Bible says, "Christ...suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" so that "we have peace with God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:18 & Romans 5:1)
Jesus died to give you life.

(3) Your choice

The choice is yours. Jesus said, "I am the way & the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
The Bible says, "Repent, then, & turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19)
If you refuse to accept God's free & only offer of forgiveness then, by choice, you will spend eternity in hell.
Today is the day for your salvation.
Jesus is the only way.

(4) Crossing over

For forgiveness & the gift of eternal life, you must personally trust in Jesus.
To be saved:
- You must repent (turn from your sins) and
- Receive Jesus as Lord of your life.

You can be sure of heaven right now through a simple prayer in your own words or like this:

Dear God, I'm sorry that I have sinned against you. I now turn form my sins & put my trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness & eternal life.
Jesus please come into my heart as Lord, to live with me & keep me from sin, for ever & ever. Thank you Lord Jesus for coming into my life. Amen.

God knows your heart. If you have prayed, sincerely repenting, then you can be sure that Jesus has come into your life. Now, your sins are forgiven, you are a child of God & have eternal life. You may not feel different but God's promise is "to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

To be saved, you must repent. That is, you must turn from all that you know is wrong (lies, theft, lust, hate, greed, etc) & turn to God for forgiveness. Jesus said, "...unless you repent, you too will all perish"...(in hell). You cannot keep from sin by yourself, you need Jesus. When you repent, He gives you new life & strength to overcome any sin. The Bible says, "all things are possible with God" & "if we confess our sins, he is faithful & just & will forgive us our sins & purify us from all unrighteousness." (Luke 13:3, Mark 10:27 & 1 John 1:9)

You should meet with others to study & understand God's Word. Bible knowledge will give your faith a solid footing & keep you from being deceived. If any teaching you receive does not agree with the Bible then it must be discarded & God's Word alone used as the source of your faith.

To grow in your faith:
- Read your Bible daily.
- Talk to God about everything.
- Trust Him in every detail of your life.
- Obey Him moment by moment.
- Tell your friends about Jesus.