Have you ever hadanything strange happen to you? On yesterday I stop at a mall that I rarely go,I parked my truck and in I went. I was headed to a place that I have only beento once before. I had no trouble finding it, did my business and left. Headedback in the same direction that I had just earlier came, down the steps and outthe door; that is when I realized that this is not the place I had entered the mallearlier. No problem I’ll just have to walk down the sidewalk to the nextparking area. I did just that but when I got to the next parking area I wasstill in the wrong place. Back in themall I went to start over only to find that I couldn’t remember where I hadreally came in and if I couldn’t find that way then I’ll never get to my truck.I have never experience this in my life; I have never paid attention to where Ihave parked for I have always been able to get back to where I was parked. That’swhy I thought this is so strange for like a homing pigeon I have always beenable to return to my vehicle. I went back to the store that I had just left andstarted over 2 times before I found my way to the truck; time wise I was reallylost for about 30-45 minutes. I really hated to write and tell about yesterdayexperience but as I thought about it, it reminded me about going to heaven. Yousee no one in their right mind wants to go to hell so we keep telling ourselveseverything is just fine; I’m a fairly good person, I give to the Church some, Igo to Church a few times a year, I haven’t stolen, cheated, I love my wife andfamily and so on. But when we really get close to the end of our lives do wereally think that will be enough? I didn’t worry about where my truck was untilI couldn’t find it and realize I didn’t know where to find it. Now I was lostbut I wasn’t fully lost; to be fully lost I would have admitted to someone andasked for help which they would have gladly given me. But no, pride got in theway and I refused to ask for help. That is the way most people do when theyrealized that they need help they keep doing the same thing and that isrefusing to ask for help expecting to get different results. This thing aboutsin and forgiveness is a must that we must understand for that is the ones Jesusdied for and that is all that’s going to heaven. For Jesus Himself put it thisway.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man iscome to seek and to save that which was lost. If we never considerourselves lost then how in the world can one be found? We can’t wonder aroundlike I did at the Mall on yesterday and finally find where I was headed. Inthat Mall full of people not one person was seeking to find me, but Jesus saidthat He was seeking the lost. How you may ask? Good question has anyone evergiven you a tract with the plan of salvation on it? Anyone ever took the timeto tell you about what Jesus has done for you? Anyone anywhere ever given youthe simple plan of salvation?
1-Realize yourcondition as a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the gloryof God;
2- Realize yourpenalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 For thewages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ our Lord.
3- Realize you can do nothing to work off yoursin debt. Titus3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, butaccording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, andrenewing of the Holy Ghost;
4- Realize thatChrist died for you to pay your sin debt. 2Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him tobe sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness ofGod in him.
5- Believe thatChrist died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Romans 10:9 That if thou shaltconfess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart thatGod hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
6- Realize that salvationis a free gift, apart from any works that you do.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are yesaved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lestany man should boast.
7- Realize themoment you trust Christ, you have salvation and it can never be lost.
John 10:28 And I give unto themeternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluckthem out of my hand. Could it be that Jesus is seek for you thismorning? If so except His free gift!
