The Bridge to the Kingdom- What Do We Get From The Gospel- THURSDAY

What do we get?  Good question....and it leads to a decision with the choice we must make.  We either die with the condition we are born with, which was made for us before we took a breath, or we accept God's provision.  Rejecting or altering our fate is not an option that we have unless it is through God's provision.  It is our present condition.  It cannot be changed because of good works or life alterations.  We have no earthly or religious means to alter our fate of condemnation, except through Jesus Christ.  There is only one optionfor us to choose for being exempted from our state of condemnation.

I'm sure I present a very dismal picture.  I said that we will do no one any good if we soften our words with the truth of the condition that mankind is in.  We cannot be another counterfeit in their life to make them feel better about their condition while they die inside and lose their opportunity.  The bitter truth of mankind's condition opens our understanding as to why Jesus Christ stepped in for us.  We simply cannot reverse the sin brought into our DNA.  It requires God's DNA to be shed for us, and to replace that DNA in us that is tainted by unforgiven sin.  Here is what scripture says about the condition and our escape option:

In these passages, we are promised that a wage will be paid for our sin, and it is death.  This death is either our death or the death of Jesus for us.  Our death being spoken of here without Jesus is to be eternally separated from God.  What does that mean?  I'm sure most of us would choose that we would cease to exist rather than an eternity of pain.  I do not know the answer if hell is a burning lake of fire as some present it, or a complete destruction of every aspect and memory of our life and being, and we cease to exist.  All I know is that it is bad.  It is the worst consequence that we will ever face.  We have only one choice, which is to accept God's provision through Jesus the Messiah who takes away that death from us.  It takes away from us every bad thing reported about hell, whatever it is.  We escape it.  That is the first thing we get out of it, and it is the big one.

I have heard many people preach on the rewards of Heaven.  I think Heaven is reward enough.  I have no idea or concept of getting anything more than what Heaven offers.  I'll just be glad to be there.  I think I could get off targetif I think I am deserving of anything more than what God has given me already, and I would feel pretty selfish to think God would reward me for any work I have done in His name.  I am being rewarded now by the life He has given to me.  I know Heaven will do many things that this world cannot do.  It will take away the threats, the inconsistencies, the sting of death, and an old worn out body badly in need of every replacement part Heaven will give.  I have become the old man who once said, "I don't trust anything in my body that doesn't hurt."  I can't even imagine what it will be like to walk around Heaven without pain, or death, or separation from my family, and many other things.  Man, I get excited about this.  But not just me.  Can we not see what good news this is for all people who are discouraged in their life and fearful about its end?  We bring the Good News, the Gospel, and it hits them right in that place of fear and discouragement.  I am told there are also rewards for living faithfully.  If that is so, it only makes what is good better.   So now, I have three points of the Gospel to discuss with a sincere seeker.  They are:

•  Point One - The condition of the world:  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 6:23 ESV)

•  Point Two - All have sinned and face condemnation: "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."  (John 3:18 NIV)

• Point Three - God's provision for our sin and separation: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."  (Isaiah 53:6 ESV)

• Point Four - We become a new creation: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  (2 Corinthians 5: 17 ESV)

Tomorrow we will discuss that new man Jesus makes of us, and the new life He invites us to join Him in.