Straightway2

Tell It Like It Is

We have all said, "Tell it to me straight. Don't lie to me." If you have the courage, you are about to face the truth about yourself, your future, and all that you might be believing.

We have all broken God's Laws, and ignored them, and rejected them so often, that if there were a counter ticking off every time we lied, or coveted something, it would spin like a fan! We don't have to be on drugs to be in trouble with God. We don't even have to be a murderer. From the first lie, or the first time we stole something, we sinned. Every time we were full of pride, we sinned. And we have been sinning ever since. The truth is, we are sinners, and sinners don't go to heaven. Take a look at this, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9). "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). Even if we only tell a lie, it's just as if we have broken all of God's commandments! It's that bad. And it's that serious.

If we are truthful, we know we sin, and will sin some more, and ultimately we will all die. But it won't end there. We are all born headed for hell. I know that hell is supposed to be outdated and politically incorrect, but all who decide hell is no longer real cannot change its temperature by one degree. There is no other place to go if we sin. Wake up and realize hell is real, and is forever. Jesus said hell is a place of everlasting fire and weeping and gnashing of teeth where the worm dieth not. It is a place of darkness. The Word of God says that “death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire; this is the second death. Whosoever was not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14,15).
This world's view of God, and self, and sin is so twisted that people have become numb to the nagging sense of guilt and shame that used to haunt us all when we sinned against Almighty God. "There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their own filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12). That's this generation. The X-generation. The NOW generation. Possibly, the LAST generation. The question is - Are YOU ready to meet God? Don't think your religious efforts are going to make any difference. God says, "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Dirty, stinking, filthy rags that no one would want to even touch - and that's us, at our best.

As sinners, we will face the wrath of the Creator unless someone perfect, and sinless takes your place and pays for all your sins. The only person who could atone for your sins was Jesus, the Son of God.

Think about it! Our sin held Jesus to that cross. He died for you, was buried and rose again the third day. If you tried to pay for all your sins it would take an eternity. None of us have the promise of a tomorrow. Here's what to do...if you are wise, you will do it soon.

1. REPENT. That means turn from whomever or whatever you are trusting to make you righteous and save you. Turn from religion, good works, prayer, saints, self-confidence, etc. and...

2. ACCEPT the free gift of salvation. Eternal life comes only from Jesus Himself. "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Talk to Him in prayer right now, and accept the forgiveness that He offers you for ALL your sin. Not just one or two. He makes only full payments. "The blood of Jesus Christ God's Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Jesus, not some dead religion, is your ticket home! Why not cry out to God from your heart right now, and ask Him to save your soul. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). It is that simple! Don't miss this opportunity. Only you can settle your destiny, by simple faith in Jesus, the living Lamb of God! He is your only Saviour from the coming wrath of God.

3. BELIEVE GOD. The Bible says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1John 5:13). To believe THE TRUTH, is to finally be free. Totally free from the penalty, power and presence of sin. Jesus said, "Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
You are heaven-bound for sure if you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior. Please let us know about it so we can help you learn more about our wonderful Savior, what he has already done for us, and the phenomenal plans he has for us in the future!
adapted from Pastor Craig Ledbetter in Ireland. For more information on his work in Ireland, see www.biblebc.com