THE CALL TO LIFE

 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ. 

Romans 5:17 (NLT)

IN THE BEGINNING...     

     God created a perfect world and then created man to have dominion over it. Our first parents lost our original state of dominion when they chose to reject God and what He had given them. This is how and when sin came into the world. The desire to live by our own rules. Sin is doing our own thing and not giving any thought about God, who He is, or His character. God’s nature is perfect, and He is Holy. His laws are not to oppress, but to protect so that we can live in the freedom for which we were created for. Our sin is transgression against His laws. 

     We are all born guilty and fall short of God's standard of righteousness. This fallen spiritual condition is what separates us from knowing God and discovering the meaning and purpose in life. Rebellion started with the fall of Adam and Eve, and it continues to this day. The stamp of Adam is our inherited curse. We intuitively sense there must be more to our existence than what we see and experience.  Many are chasing the wind for answers only to discover they continue to live in uncertainty, frustration and emptiness. Never satisfied and not knowing why.

     The good news is that God continues to love you.  His desire for you is to have a relationship with Him and experience the journey of discovering who you are and your unique purpose. Jesus Christ came into the world to pay the penalty for your sins. Through His death on the cross and His resurrection, He offers you a clean slate and new life.

     Your story is a door that has always been open, waiting to be rewritten. Written in the way that God intended for you from the very beginning: 

IN FREEDOM.

--For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 

Romans 1:20 (NLT)

Jesus Christ said, 

"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

John 14:6 (NLT)

     It’s simple really. You meet Him at the door of your heart--your mind and will. The answer of YES or NO to His invitation to LIFE will set the course of yours. That’s it. There are no other options because nothing else works. 

     We don’t like hearing this and avoid it as truth.  We are uncertain of, have doubts, or are reluctant to confront the consequences that this change brings. We tend to like our sin and independence from God, but not the problems it creates or the direction it takes us. 

 
     Instead, we continue seeking fewer challenging answers or other alternatives to our problems. Unfortunately, some of them are negative, temporary, or lure you into an addiction that you can’t escape from. Sooner or later, at some point, we wind up coming back to square one and start looking again for another solution. Many just give up completely, do the best they can and live defeated lives. 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

     Decisions are based on what we know, believe, or think we should do. The outcome of our choices determines whether they were correct.

     Look at the world around you and see how well it’s working out. We will never get it right. The delusion is in our understanding of our world and in our thinking that is the problem. 

The Bible calls this WALKING IN DARKNESS.

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the day of rebellion." 

Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)

       A decision has to be made. You're not the only one to ever feel some level of resistance when facing the call to repentance. You either take the step of faith and enter in OR turn away and continue living as you are. Every one of us must come to this moment of truth about ourselves and give Him our answer. 

      Webster's Dictionary defines the word 'REPENT' as "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.” 

     Jesus Christ calls you personally to come out of your darkness and into His Light. He is the Light and Life for all of us. In Christ you have forgiveness of every sin.  A new beginning built on a solid foundation.  Living with purpose and owning the promise and assurance of eternal life.

You can never earn it, and you definitely don't deserve it. None of us do. 

The Bible calls this GRACE.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

     Your amazing journey starts with an honest desire and willingness to change. He sees you.  He knows everything about you and your heart and mind.  Just a simple prayer like this: 

      LORD, I admit that I've sinned against You by living my life my own way. I ask you to forgive me. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me Life. Come. Teach me to live in the purpose and the plan you have created for me. Thank you. AMEN.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."

John 5:24 (NIV)

"If you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For it is by your heart that you believe and are justified and with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." As the Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame." 

Romans 10:9-11 (NKJV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)