Decision Time
the evidence is overwhelming. what is your verdict?
The biggest question of all time, “Who do you say that I am?” needs your answer. The world asks “Did God really say?” or “Did God really do?” while the evidence clearly validates the Bible, God and our need for salvation from our sin. “Billions of years, molecules to man and God is a myth” is the wide road to destruction of which Jesus spoke.
Sharing Jesus has addressed the biggest topics one could ponder while trying to discern if the Bible is valid or not. Please continue as “the peace that passes understanding” is within your grasp.
A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE GOD HAS GIVEN US:
Creation vs. Big Bang God’s creation of everything is completely beyond our comprehension but the rest of the Bible is trustworthy so we simply must believe God did it as He told us. The idea that Singularity existed without a cause and for eternity and then exploded into what we see with clear design, fine-tuning, stability and Laws of Science containing very precise numerical constants is just not rational.
Purpose vs. Randomness God has a plan and purpose for our lives and wants mankind to worship Him. The alternative is to believe chemicals randomly combined and cells included enough intelligence to replicate at the very beginning. Without intelligence, chemistry cannot become biology.
Morality vs. Subjectivity God gives us a guiding conscience and morals along with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we are just evolved apes with no apparent purpose whose morals and ethics are completely subjective, and our feelings and experiences guide us. With no God to Whom we are accountable, “survival of the fittest” emboldens bullies and sociopaths to rule “the weak.”
The Bible vs. Coincidence God gave us the Bible to reveal Himself or we must believe all the scientific statements, extra-Biblical references, artifacts, and fulfilled prophecies are just coincidences.
Noah’s Flood vs. Misunderstanding God decided to destroy a decadent world with Noah’s Flood. Or, evidence of a massive global event, tsunamis, trillions of tons of sediment and the mixing of marine and land animals is grossly misunderstood.
Israel vs. Anomaly God selected Israel as His “chosen people” despite them having a long history of disobedience. Or, they are just a unique anomaly, despite prophecies from both Testaments accurately predicting the return to their homeland and their turmoil today.
Salvation vs. Myth God provided salvation from our sin which requires blood sacrifice, repentance and faith. Jesus “completed” this. Or, the resurrection of Jesus was just a myth or scam, and those who believe it should be “most pitied.”
Changed Lives vs. Delusion Jesus changes the lives of those who trust in Him. The alternative is that the many individuals who claim Jesus healed them of physical and emotional struggles are just confused or deluded.
Today’s Society Clearly, we have big problems with lack of compassion, addictions of all sorts, slavery of others and rampant confusion and hopelessness. This condition is not sustainable to maintain a rational and stable society. God, Jesus and others warned against embracing “the world” and its sinful offerings, and we see the detrimental effects of our wayward choices.
The End Times While many claim that society and sinful behavior have always been like this, many fulfilled prophecies clearly show we are living in “the latter days”. The return of Israel to “the Promised Land”, the increase in Biblical apostasy, the rise in the love of sin and the lack of compassion reveal this. Also, dreams and visions of Jesus are indicators that “end-times” prophecies are being fulfilled.
IS THE GOSPEL TOO EXCLUSIVE AND ARROGANT?
Some will declare that Jesus being the only way to salvation is too exclusive and those that “preach” that doctrine are simply arrogant. However, history reveals that Apostles and early church leaders ventured far away from Israel to spread the Good News. “Doubting” Thomas was martyred in India after taking the Gospel there, Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome and many other obedient disciples spread the Word throughout the whole world. However, many chose to disbelieve this Good News and we see the affects of it.
Saving faith vs. "good works"
Most faiths speak to earning one’s way to a better afterlife or next life after reincarnation. Evangelical Christianity is vastly different as God told us our “good works” are insufficient to earn salvation. That is why His good work – Jesus dying on the cross as the only sufficient sacrifice – is how our sins are forgiven.
Regarding your “goodness” being adequate, Romans 3:23 tells us ” … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus’ brother James warned us in James 2 that just intellectually believing in God the Father is not enough for salvation as “even the demons believe that and they shudder.” James does speak about good works but only of them being evidence of one’s salvation – not the cause of it.
Saving faith in Christ is explained through these truths:
The Need for Atonement God is holy, and we have been separated from Him due to our sinful lives and we need atonement which only comes through blood sacrifice and repentant faith.
The Power of the Blood Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
Living by Faith Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”
Despite our Sin, We Can Be Saved Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Removal of Sins Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
The Gift of Grace Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift; not from works, so no one can boast.” Like any gift, we must open it to enjoy it.
Defining Faith Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen … By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
True Repentance This faith must include true repentance (humility and remorse) for one’s past sins and a real desire to follow Christ as a disciplined believer. Remember, God reads the heart and will not be scammed.
Examining the Fruit Matthew 7:19-23 “Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. … Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven … I will declare to them I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!”
WHICH ONE OF THESE IMAGES REPRESENTS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
jesus offers peace, rest and forgiveness
You can accept God’s free gift of grace and profess Jesus before others as Romans 10:9-10 says: “if you confess with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” These verses comfort us:
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation (punishment or judgment due) to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” This verse reminds us of the song Blessed Assurance written by Fanny Crosby.
A Sample Prayer of Repentance and Acceptance:
“Father God, I thank You that I found You, Your Son, Your Spirit and the truth through your Word, the Bible. I am convicted of my sin and my separation from You, I recognize the need for Your grace and believe You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. I accept Him as my personal Savior, I repent of my sin and I pledge to become an obedient disciple of His. Please continue to reinforce my belief and strengthen me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
A Call to Action for Believers
To Christians timid with personal evangelism, the evidence revealed in Sharing Jesus plus added Bible study and prayer will strengthen your faith and embolden you to share Him with others. Sharing Jesus can be forwarded with emails, social media, texts, QR cards, mailers and doorhangers. Please check your priorities and help lead someone to eternal life.
Church leaders, while many will respond to the reality of Who Jesus of Nazareth truly is, they will need someone to further explain the path to salvation, discipleship, etc. Sharing Jesus is primarily planting seeds and individual “fishers of men” will take this message to friends, acquaintances and others during random “divine appointments.” However, only churches or other venues can provide safe locations, security, etc. for follow-ups with “seekers”. Please consider partnering with Sharing Jesus to continue fulfilling the Great Commission.
The Necessity of Sending the Message:
Romans 10:14-17 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things! So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Thank you for considering Jesus, and please answer as He continues to knock on the door of your heart.
