What If

...there is another standard of judgment, another criteria of right and wrong?

...you are being held to that standard of right?

...the consequences of failing to live up to that standard had eternal ramifications?

...you had to answer for not living up to that standard right now? would you be ready?

...there was a way out?

...Jesus is who he says he is?

Todays version of right and wrong are much different than that of 50 years ago. In fact the farther back in time you go, the more different it becomes. There are those who say,

"I am not a bad person!"

Others who say,

"I have never murdered anyone, I have never committed adultery,

I don't make it a habit to lie! I think God likes me!".

The question is, What is the standard? What "baseline does God actually go by when it comes to being "right in HIS eyes? Isn't it HIS opinion that matters?

In Exodus 20, the bible sets a baseline for man. It is known as the ten commandments, the ten "do's" and "dont's" for man. In fact God broke it down into two categories. Those that deal with Man's relationship with God and the others, man's relationship with his fellow man.

Maybe now you say,

"I am good". I've never done these things. You keep movin' with your religion...I am good."

Well, Romans 3:10 says different.

"None is righteous, no, not one."

In fact, Jesus clarifies the standard a bit further in Matthew 5. Jesus says, If you hate your brother, you have committed the act of murder. He also says that if you look at a woman and lust after her you have committed the act of adultery with her in your heart.

Wait a second! Does that mean, I don't have to actually murder a man

or have sex with someone to break God's law?

Yes! How high is that standard? It is impossible! There is no way that we are "good" before God, at least, not without help.

Romans 3:23 says,

“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”

That is right. There is not one of us that is without sin. Not you, me, or the pope!

But God knows that, so he sent a Hero, a Saviour.

Romans 5:8 says,

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

"In that, while we were still sinners..." Do you know what that means? That means that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. For what? Not for the guarantee that you would turn to Him, but for the chance that you would! He showed you that love a long time ago, before you knew Him, just for the opportunity for you to choose Him.

"What if I don't? What if I choose to leave the whole issue alone,

deny the whole God thing and just live, die and then...whatever?"

Romans 6:23 answers that question, it says,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The real issue is not whether you live eternally or not. The real issue is where you spend that eternity.

Eternity is a long time, to have been wrong.

We are wrong about our standing with God?

No other God's

Ditch the idols.

Don't use the Lord's name in vain

Keep the Sabbath Day. (this was the day off the Lord gave to remember HIM.)

Honor your father and your mother.

Don't murder.

Don't commit adultery.

Don't steal.

Don't lie.

Don't desire (burn for) your neighbor's stuff. We call it "keeping up with the Jones'"

making believers out of unbelievers • making believers, disciples

God made a way for us to be right with Him. Despite the impossible standard required by God, He has made a way.

Jesus Christ is THAT WAY.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says this,

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.

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS,

WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM

It is only by HIS grace that we can be made right. It isn't by any church, any works, anything that we or any other man can do. It is only by His grace.

You see, Jesus Christ gave his life in our place. That cross that he hung on was ours. It was our sin and failures that should be hung there. In fact, it was. He bore the sins that condemn us, in our place, that we may be right with God.

Jesus is who and what he said he is. There is only one way to be saved.

Acts 4:12 says,

THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.

It really is as simple as faith. Believing on Jesus for your salvation. Asking for forgiveness. Asking for God's mercy and grace. By faith, receive Jesus Christ as your only hope of being saved and do not be ashamed. Confess Him openly as your only hope of salvation. It is time to surrender.

Surrender means "you give up." You stop putting your will before God’s will. You allow Jesus (God’s Word) to reign over you. You submit to Jesus and let Him become the Lord of your life.

If you have never humbled yourself, and totally surrendered to Jesus, and become as a little child (Matthew 18:3), and continued steadfast in the faith, I would suggest that

NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION 2 Corinthians 6:2.

Please submit to God, say this prayer, and mean it with all of your heart.

I want to be right with God?

You might be saying, "This is here because, Hey, what is a church website without a little preaching?"

The truth is, what is the point of anything with Jesus?

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you.

I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you.

Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins,

was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life,

to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.

Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You,

and to do Your will for the rest of my life.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

I prayed? What happens now?

If you decided to receive Jesus today,

Welcome to God's family!

Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

1. Get baptized as commanded by Christ.

2. Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.

3. Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.

4. Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.

5. Find a local church, a Bible teaching church. Not a place that tells stories or entertains you. One where you can learn and grow.