Dear Jesus ❤️

I stood there, the Cross before me, and across the bridge I just crossed over, so much dainties I had left behind. I looked into His face, tears in my eyes. He took my hands in His and assured me that the journey would be worth it, that I may have to cry many tears as we travelled along the narrow path, that I may have to give up more things as we kept travelling, but that they would all be worth it in the end...

With this assurance, and the fire-lit stick in my hands, I burnt the bridge behind me and everything it symbolised and had attached to it, and then took up my Cross and followed Him...

Hand in hand, the Cross on my back we began the journey...
I looked one more time into His face and saw the promise of help from Him, never letting go of me whatever I had to go through, the promise of love that would never fail, the promise of strength to keep travelling, the promise of a friend that would always be there for me, the promise of a Father, Husband, and Guide, the promise of life everlasting, the promise of Heaven at last...❤️

Dear Jesus ❤️
Whatever happens, whatever I need to give up for you even as I travel through this path called life, help me Lord to give up, help me Lord to stay, friends or none, even if I have to walk alone, remind me that you are and would always be with me and that in you I have more than enough strength to keep going and eventually make it to to be with you forever in Heaven... Amen..❤️

I was taught that I had to give up things for God to have eternal life too, when growing up. Then someone cared enough to share a profound truth with me.

It was to that I have already violated the laws of God. That's not so profound. That's pretty obvious of all of us.
However, little did I know was that even a lie condemns us to hell.

"For the wages of sin is death; ..."
Romans 6:23

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Revelation 21:8

Perhaps you haven't committed murder or r sorcery, but have you ever lied?
I know that I have.
That's mighty humbling, isn't it?

According to the Bible, where do we deserve to go then?
That's right if you said hell.

The truth is that a long list of good works will never atone for even one sin.

"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."
Ephesians 2

What is grace?
Grace is what God offers out of kindness, despite what we have done in sinning against Him.

What is the gift of God?
What He Himself paid for. We don't work for it or earn eternal life. Salvation from hell is a free gift already purchased by the one and only Savior. When someone offers anything else to try to pay for that gift, it's like saying that God didn't do enough. It's like saying that it's insufficient, so I must turn from all my sins and be obedient to the laws. It's like saying, that baptism, church membership, carrying that cross, or any other good work is that which helps save us.
No, the payment isn't our righteousness.
All our trust must be in the Savior because by grace are ye saved through faith.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Yes, we deserve death in hell.
However, much we work carrying that heavy cross, or live what we think is a perfect life if obedience, look into a mirror. Who is there?
A sinner or the Savior?
A sinner can't save.
Here's a familiar veverse.

"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."

Who did the giving for the gift?
God paid it already.
God gave His Only begotten Son.
The Son laid down His life for you.
We know He arose after 3 days.

I know you believe that.
Would you like to be assured that gift?

That's the simple, yet profound truth that I was shown . I simply realized that and asked for the gift He already bought for me. I will make that easy to do with this prayer my friend.


Dear Jesus,
I don't deserve your gift.
I can never do enough to pay for even one of my sins. I have realized that I can't add to what you have done.
I believe that you alone paid for them all. Please save me and take me to heaven when I die. I now trust you alone to save me.
Thank you Jesus.
Amen

It's true we can't earn our way to heaven, but the Christian life does involve a lot of self denial.