The Braddy Family: 4th of July 2009

Happy 4th!!

EVERYONE LIVES FOREVER...

Everyone will live forever. The question is, though, where will YOU live? The Bible makes it clear that there are 2 options: heaven or hell. If you read the gospels, Jesus spoke of hell twice as much as He spoke of heaven. Unless you believe that Jesus is a liar, then hell does exist. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said the following: "Enter in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and there are many who will find it. But narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it." So, how does a man get to heaven? Is it through his good works? Is it by being a good person? Is it one's religion? Is it through baptism?
While doing good deeds and being a "good" person are good things, neither of them will get a man to heaven. The Bible actually says that none of us are "good", but in fact, only God is good. The problem is that we tend to compare ourselves to other people; and when we do that, we do indeed find that there are many people who are far worse than we are. But God is not going to judge us based on how we compare to other people, but solely on His standard, which is perfection. Jesus said, "Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Unfortunately, none of us are perfect. When we look into the mirror of God's Law (the 10 Commandments),we can see ourselves in our true state. If you have ever lied, stolen, used God's name in vain, etc. then you are guilty of breaking God's laws. The Bible says that God is the just judge of the universe, and He must punish sin. If God is just, he cannot overlook our lawbreaking. Therefore, someone must pay the penalty for your sins. The question now becomes: who will pay for your sin? You, or Christ? Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago, lived a perfect life, and willingly went to the cross and died a horrifiic death, so that you and I could be pardoned. It was the ultimate legal transaction: you and I broke the law, and Jesus stepped in and paid your fine in His life's blood. However, it's not simply enough to have a knowledge of these events. God requires something of us. Acts 17:30 says that "God commands all men everywhere to repent." Repentance means that we not only confess our sins and acknowledge that we are sorry for them, but we forsake our sins and turn from those things which displease God. Once we have repented, then we must place our trust and faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone for our salvation. We must stop trusting in our good works and transfer that trust unto the Savior. He alone can pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus said in John 14:5, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me." Once a man has trusted Christ, God will forgive every sin he has ever committed. He'll take away his stony heart and give him a heart of flesh. God will give you new desires, and most important of all, God will give you the gift of everlasting life in Heaven. Not because of anything that we've done, but solely because of the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to us.

The Braddy Family

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

4th of July 2009

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