Recently, my wife and I had the privilege of attending the 150th anniversary of a congregation established for the preaching of the Gospel. The preacher that evening told a story that has gripped me since then.
There was this Christian man who lived in a lovely house in a private housing development. Next door lived an Indian family. One day the Christian man was out in his garden, and was speaking to his Indian neighbour. “You’re a Christian?” remarked the neighbour. “Yes, I am,” replied the Christian. “Isn’t it true that you Christians believe that if a man dies without being converted to Christ, he will go to hell?” “Yes, that’s true,” answered the Christian. “Then, why didn’t you tell me that?”
The point of the story is this: I have an obligation to tell you that unless you are converted to Christ, you have nothing but eternal misery and damnation to look forward to. In other words, you must become a Christian. You must become what you are not—a child of God. You cannot make yourself a Christian, your good works cannot make you a Christian, and, what’s more, your church cannot make you a Christian, either. Religion cannot help in this regard, nor can being religious or even having a religious faith; and certainly the sacraments will not save you!.
Only God in Christ can make you a Christian, a child of God.
But how do you become a Christian? First, let me try to answer the question, “Why must you become a Christian?” The most important answer is this—you are living your life under God’s condemnation! Jesus states that “he who does not believe [in Him] is condemned already,” John 3:18. That means that you are not waiting until you die to see if you will be condemned by God—you are already condemned—FACT!
So this is where you are right now—living under divine condemnation for your sin. And what is your sin? Your sin is that which fills your heart—an attitude of rebellion against Almighty God, an attitude that wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ, the Man who went about doing good (healing the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf; and even raising the dead to life). You want nothing to do with God’s Son who taught us to “love one another,” and to “do unto others what you would have them do unto you,” (Matt.7:12). You want nothing to do with the holiest, best, most loving Person who ever lived. Does that not strike you as strange? Why is this? Well, Jesus tells us.
You love darkness rather than light because your life is evil in God’s sight, John 3:19. Your sinful heart is your problem. It offends God.
But here’s where people sometimes get this matter all wrong. They believe that God is against them, and is out to get them at all costs. Listen to Jesus again: “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved,” John 3:17. God wants to save you; and a God filled with hatred towards sinners would not say or do that! In fact, He “loved the world” so much—the world in all its bigness and badness —”that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. God wants to give you the best future imaginable! He is ‘for’ you. Do you believe that? God is ‘for’ you, and wants to deal effectively with your sin and guilt (and guilt always clings to the past), the very things that keep you from enjoying God. He does not want you to continue living under His condemnation. That’s where you are by nature. But God is offering to deliver you from that condemnation NOW.
Now, Christ was not sent into the world to die on Calvary’s Cross with a view to condemning you along with the world. Not at all. He sent His Son to the Cross to bring you into a new relationship with Him, not to condemn you. He came and died for you. Paul tells us “He died for all,” (2 Cor.5:15). And if He died for all, that means that He died for you. He died for sinners, therefore He died for you, because you are a sinner. If God so loved the world, then He loves YOU, too!
On what basis, then, are you to come to Christ as your Lord and Saviour? On the basis of God’s own Word to you. It’s not just me who is saying to you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God says it Himself. And do you know what? He says something else: “whoever comes to Me I will by no means cast out,” John 6:37. There is an assured welcome for you from the God whom you’ve offended by your sin. You will not be turned away when you come in repentance and faith to Christ. There is still room in His heaven for you. It does not matter what age you are or how bad you may have been; God wants you in His heaven! Do you want to be there? And do you want to be sure that you’ll be there?
I said earlier that all who reject Christ as their Saviour and Redeemer are under divine condemnation. But you know, there’s another side to this, and Paul tells us what it is. “There is … now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1. None! In Christ alone there is safety for those under condemnation; there’s somewhere they can go to escape this dreaded end. Where’s that? Well, they can find everlasting safety only in Christ. Outside of Him, there is no safety; but in Christ alone there is eternal safety—or, as Paul puts it, “no condemnation.” Now, given your current position, this surely presents itself as a most desirable option for you, is it not?
This is what you want, isn’t it? To be safe with God in heaven forever?
“Tell me,” you ask, “is this possible and, if so, how can it become mine?” Yes, it is; and, what’s more, it is possible for you right now! It’s as easy as ABC.
ADMIT—to God that you are a sinner in His sight. Own up to the fact that you have not loved His Son Who died for you on the Cross. By your sin, you have offended the very God before Whom you will one day stand
in judgement for your sins. Then, ADMIT to yourself that you are a lost, guilty sinner, and see your refusal to “love the LORD your God with all your heart” as serious sin. You have not admitted that, have you? So ADMIT these sins with deep grief and sorrow, and with true repentance. Turn away now from that sinful living, from your pride, your self-righteousness. For unless you own up, you cannot be saved—and you must DO THIS NOW!
BELIEVE—in the Lord Jesus Christ this moment. You must see Him as the only One Who can save your guilty soul, for time and for eternity. You can come to Him right now, because He stands ready to save you and to welcome you home. He will receive everyone who comes to Him in faith, trusting His promise. BELIEVE on the Son of God Who died on Calvary to save your soul. He took the punishment for your sin and guilt, and bore it away. God has “laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” Isa.53:6. That means that He laid your iniquity on Christ when He died for you. So, what must you do to be saved? Cast yourself unreservedly and totally on His offered mercy. Give your whole heart and life over to Him, your sin and all, and He will receive you—AND DO IT NOW!
CONFESS—your new-found faith to someone. Tell someone close to you that you have now become a Christian, a child of God. Don’t be ashamed of the Lord Who has saved you. Tell others. Will you do that now?
Use this short prayer to help you do that.
Righteous God, I admit to You that I have sinned against You in thought, word and in deed. I am a sinful person who is not worthy that you should love me. Your Gospel tells me that You love me so much that you sent your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me, that my sins might be washed away, and that I might become Your true child. You want me to come to You now by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to save me, even me, and to make me Your child forever. I come to You now, just as I am, and put my trust in You for my eternal salvation. I ask all these things in Jesus’ mighty Name. AMEN.
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If you need further help, or would like to talk to someone, ring me on 028 7963 4684, or write to: 23 Parkmore Close, MAGHERAFELT, Co. Londonderry, N. Ireland, BT45 6PL. Email: Hazlett_lynch@yahoo.co.uk
Remember, you cannot put this matter off – there’s too much to lose!
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