CRT has a whole new meaning and most people now would never think cathode ray tube. I watched the video and can't place who and where the mission is? I don't think I would have responded to that message just because I was antagonistic toward religion since about the 2nd grade. The kids there seemed delightful.
Hi Persistent,
That was a mission trip down in Guyana.
That's an American pastor from Arizona. He and his Baptist church take trips to foreign countries to share the good news with groups who welcome them. Many of the other countries are open to the gospel, even schools. Many of our American school teachers train that right out of us. I too might not have been so receptive.
Someone cared enough about me in highschool to share the same message. I also was reluctant and sceptical. Later that evening I opened my Bible and asked God to help me understand and discern the truth with each verse the man wrote down and left for me. God did answer me that night. I decided to quit trusting in anything I could do and rather trust in Christ alone Who suffered on the cross for us. Since He arose and lives forevermore, I too was given that promise by trusting Him.
That was the very beginning of distinctly knowing that God was listening and answering prayers.
The thing that most everyone gets confused, because many if the preachers and priests wrongly teach them this.... -V-
They know the history of how Jesus was crucified on the cross and what happened on Easter. The problem is that they think that was just a down payment and they can somehow add their own 2¢ by their good deeds like baptism, treating others the way they want treated, avoid crime, giving to charity and so forth. As good as those things are as they have their place, they do not apply to salvation. A man could devote his own life to serving God and preach every week, but that cannot pay for one sin. A sinner cannot pay for sins. That's why it took a sinless substitute Who was not guilty, to pay for the guilt of mankind that was owed to the Father. While good deeds have their place in society and family, they add nothing to what the Savior did. They don't pay your way to heaven (salvation). That's when I read Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 and finally realized,
"For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The gift of God is salvation from hell... eternal life.
It was already paid in Full by God the Son.
I can't toss my 2¢ worth of good works at the cross or that would be but an insult to all of the torments He went through. He just offers loving kindness free of charge. That's when I said yes, I reject my own works and accept that which He did for me. I now accept that gift of heaven freely offered. Jesus promised this....
"For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life....He that
believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." *Jesus
John 3:16...
No major crimes were necessary to condemn me. I was already condemned. I already sinned and was trusting my "goodness" to get me out of a bad place. However, the key to not being condemned anymore is what?
Believing on Him. Believing is the same as trusting Him or faith. He can't lie and break that promise. That's what we are reminded of exactly 100 times in that one short book alone. He did it all, so no works of our own are accepted.
Problem was my sins and I was trusting the sinner, me, and not the Savior.
Had I died then, there's no doubt my destiny would be bleak.
Jesus made it so simple for us...
1. He did everything necessary to purchase that gift. God the Father was satisfied with His offering, but rejects everything mankind tries to replace that with. It's like tossing ¢2 at His Son's cross as if His own Son's tormenting death wasn't enough. It of course was and stands on Christ's own merits without any of our "help."
2. Jesus told us to quit trusting our 2¢ and trust Him alone. It's finished and paid in full.
The promise as I quoted above is everlasting life to whosoever believes on Him. That's exclusively on Jesus.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
3. "Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. "Romans 10.
He offers the gift, so simply ask Him for it in faith and it's yours.
That's when I "called upon...the Lord" in prayer that I am certain God heard while at my bedside. This is what you should do too. Just tell God this as He wants to hear from you.
Dear God,
I don't deserve to go to heaven.
I've done plenty of sins to deserve hell.
I can't do any good works to save myself. Jesus did everything necessary when He suffered for my sins so badly on the cross; so that I will not have to suffer hell.
I now trust Him to save me and take me to heaven when I die. He arose from the dead on the third day and lives forever.
I ask for that gift that He bought me, He promised me, and trust Him to keep His Word, because He cannot lie.
Thank You for everlasting life!
According to Christ's promise, in His Name I now pray.
Amen
Many here on the forum have done just what I hope that you have likewise. If that's the case, here is another promise for you from 1 John 5:11-15
"And this is the
record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If you died 50 years from now, where does God's Word promise that you would go?
This record is more important and carries far more weight than even the Constitution. Whereas the US Constitution applies to Americans, this applies only to who?
Answer: Those who believe on the Son of God. Those who choose to keep trusting in their own good works have the other promise. However, if you sincerely decided to place your trust/believe on Him, then you are assured to have (already) that gift of eternal life immediately!
______________
Once that gift belongs to you. Perhaps now, if you prayed with me; then you have another promise as the same passage continues,
"And this is the
confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask
any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
This is THE key to beginning to have access to Almighty God. If you prayed with me just now, then you are born into the family of God the Father. You now have special privileges that you lacked before.
I have to go for now, but when you are ready,
Please let me know if you have any questions and if you made that decision.
Take care my friend.
Health and Happiness
6
5
