HOW TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD?

 

IF I’M DYING TODAY, WILL I BE RIGHT WITH GOD?       I WASN’T! My testimony of how I became sure that I’m right with God!
        (Welcome to use this as a Guideline to test your own relationship with God)

MY TESTIMONY: DURING A TIME OF INTENSIVE FEAR THAT I MAY DIE AND NOT BE RIGHT WITH GOD, I BEGAN STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD (THE BIBLE) AND I CAME TO THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS:

NOTE: If you use any other book than the Bible as base for your beliefs, may be you won't agree everywhere with my conclusions, but…

WHY NOT CONTINUE READING AND SEE WHAT I LEARNED IN THE BIBLE?

YOU CAN'T LOSE ANYTHING! ON THE CONTRARY YOU CAN WIN A LOT!

PART 1: 10 FACTS THAT THE BIBLE REVEALS TO ME ABOUT GOD

NOTE: Bible References is given after each statement. At some places links for extra material are provided for further reading (marked with ►)

1.        THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE ALMIGHTY AND HOLY GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. This is one of the foundational truths of the Bible that God is the Creator of all that is. (Gen 1, Isaiah 40:28; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 1:2)

Ø For Further Reading: Who is the One True God - https://www.gotquestions.org/one-true-God.html

2.        THIS GOD ALSO CREATED HUMANKIND IN HIS LIKENESS TO RULE OVER HIS CREATION AND HE BLESSED THEM FOR THE TASK (Gen 1:26-27)

Interestingly, the first mentioning in the Bible of All three Persons of God (later called the Trinity) being involved here in the creation of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 1:2).

Ø What does it mean that humanity is made in the image of God (imago dei)? - https://www.gotquestions.org/image-of-God.html

3.        BUT, ALL HUMANKIND FELL IN SIN: Adam and Eve (humankind) was in a perfect relationship with God until "man" (meaning humankind) fell in sin (Gen 2:16,17 and Genesis 3:8-9). After this event this relation was broken (Isaiah 59:2). This was the ruling from the beginning by a Righteous and Holy God that the one who was responsible for sin must pay for his own sin! The wage of sin is death! (Romans 6:23). This event of sin by man, "the first Adam" effected all humankind, with the further result of death; loosing of eternal life; “the wage of sin is death”  (Romans 6:23); "death reigned from Adam" (Romans 5:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:21).

Ø Read more about the origin of sin - https://www.gotquestions.org/origin-of-sin.html  

4.        THE CONSEQUENCE OF THAT FALL: The Bible indicate that man is not only dead in sin, but hopelessly enslaved by sin (He can't save himself apart from God’s intervention). His good works are “dead” or worthless in meriting God’s favor (Ephesians 2:1–2; Matthew 15:18–19; Romans 7:23; Hebrews 6:1; 9:14). 

Ø Why do I face the consequences of Adam’s sin when I did not eat the fruit? - https://www.gotquestions.org/I-did-not-eat-the-fruit.html

5.    HOW CAN MANKIND THEN BE SAVED AGAIN? WILL GOOD DEEDS NOT PLEASE GOD SO THAT HE FORGIVE OUR SINS? 

        The Bible teaches that humans cannot pay for their own sins or for anybody else. This means that only God could intervene. Only God could change this situation that sin must be punished by death. Initially God used the garments of an animal to clothe their nakedness, to cover their sin (Genesis 3:21) That became the first symbol of how the sin of mankind could be covered  from a holy God – by the sacrifice of an animal.

The story in Genesis 22:12 explains the principle of what God did. It tells how God tested Abraham by expecting from him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. When Abraham proofed his obedience to God (Genesis 22:8; 12) God provided a ram in the bush for Abraham to slaughter in the place of Isaac - an event being the symbol of the ram (lamb) that God will provide for the sins of humankind. (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19)

Ø Read more about Jesus’s blood shed for us - https://jwipn.com/jesus-blood-shed-us/

Ø Read the full explanation of the Good News of the Gospel or God’s Salvation Plan - https://thefatherscall.org/gospel-good-news-salvation/

Ø Welcome to also join a WhatsApp Group about THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST- https://chat.whatsapp.com/HV4rFNhaTAp1GcDlnxuX8F

THE QUESTION REMAIN: WHAT IS THE VALUE AND NEED OF GOOD DEEDS? The question was: Will trying our bests and do good deeds not please God so that He will forgive our sins?

The Bible is clear about it: Good deeds alone (works, fulfilling the Law) can't save a lost sinner (Romans 3:21-24 "For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law"; Romans 8:1-4 ; 10:1-4 "religion, good works alone, zealous for God in your own efforts" can’t save anybody.)

The fact is that God provided His own sinless Son as only final sacrifice for all sin; to pay the price for sin (Hebrews 10:10-12; John 3:16-18; Romans 6:23).

Anybody that reject this and try to be saved by Good Deeds alone is not acceptable for God.

Ø What does the Bible say Is there any value and need for Good Deeds? - https://www.openbible.info/topics/doing_good_deeds 

6.        GOD AGAIN REACHED OUT TO MANKIND, REVEALED HIMSELF TO MANKIND IN THE FORM OF A MAN - HIS ONLY SON JESUS CHRIST

The "Word" (the Greek use the word "Logos", John 1:1), being from the beginning; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father". (John 1:1, 14 ; 3:16; Philippians 2:5–8; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 1:1–2). 

7.        WHO WAS JESUS? WAS JESUS GOD?

In the Bible Jesus Christ calls Himself by various names, like..

(1) the Son of Man - 88 times (Luke 19:10; Important to get the connection with Daniel 7:13-14)

Ø Further Reading: What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of Man? - https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Son-of-Man.html

(2) the Son of God – more than 40 times (Mark 1:1; John 20:30-31)

Ø What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? - https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Son-of-God.html

(3) the Son of David: Matthew used this title for Jesus more than any other Gospel writer (ten times). Primarily, the title “Son of David” is more than a statement of physical genealogy. It is a Messianic title. When people referred to Jesus as the Son of David, they meant that He was the long-awaited Deliverer, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

Ø What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of David? -   https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-son-of-David.html

(4) Was Jesus God? Jesus never called Himself God, although others did (John 20:28). The Bible clearly reveals in many verses Jesus Christ as being God. The best is to read/study the following article as a whole...

Ø The strongest biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ - https://www.gotquestions.org/divinity-of-Christ.html 

8.        JESUS PROCLAIMED THAT ONLY THROUGH HIM CAN ONE COMES TO GOD:  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Peter said: God provides Salvation Only by the Name of Jesus Christ; that is… By His death (atonement for our sins) alone (Acts 4:12) 

9.        THE KEY EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST ARE THOROUGHLY RECORDED IN THE BIBLE: The most important of those events are…

(1) His crucifixion and burial: (Matthew 27:27-66; Mark 15:16-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:17-42);

(2) His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10);

(3) Post-resurrection appearances (Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 24:1–53; John 20:1—21:25; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:6–8) 

(4) His ascension (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12)

Ø Read more about the key events in the life of Jesus here -https://www.gotquestions.org/life-of-Christ-3.html

10.    AT THE END THERE WILL BE A JUDGEMENT DAY, the day of God’s final, ultimate judgment on sinful mankind. There are several passages in Scripture that refer to the final judgment after death at the end of time when everyone will stand before God and He will render final judgment on their lives.

Everybody has to answer to God what they did with God’s Salvation Plan, the Good News of the Gospel.

Ø Read here more about Judgement Day - https://www.gotquestions.org/Judgment-Day.html

Ø Read more about… Everyone Will Be Judged – https://www.openbible.info/topics/everyone_will_be_judged

PART 2:

SO HOW DID I RESPOND TO ALL THIS?

1) I realized that everybody, also myself, must respond to above Bible Facts about God and His Salvation Plan (nobody can ignore this!)

2) Many people still don’t know or clearly understand this Gospel Plan and just continue with the religious viewpoint that they learned from childhood. Many follow some form of religious activity that they call their Religion. But it’s not of importance what they believe and practice, but what it is in the sight of God.

3) Atheists claim that they don't believe in any God, but that is only another "form" of Religion. Frank Turek says "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist" - https://koninkryksfokus.blogspot.com/p/why-i-still-believe.html 

4) Everybody must take own responsibility about their religious choice, realizing that one day we all will stand before God's throne to being judged.

5) I realized that only the Good News of the Gospel can be the truth. Therefore, I decided to accept God’s Salvation Plan according to the Bible. 6) With further research and study during my future Bible Study and walk with God I became even more convinced and sure about my decision as this truth became clearer to me.

PART 3:

HOW I PRACTICALLY ACCEPTED GOD’S SALVATION PLAN

I must thank a dear friend that gave me good practical advice to help me in this. This can be listed in the following practical steps:

1.    ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE A SINNER AND DEAL WITH YOUR SIN:

1) Yes, I had to accept that I am a sinner, nowhere near to God’s holiness.

2) I further experienced how important it is to deal with any specific sin that obstruct my relationship with God (Bible passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and further helped to clarify the practical reality of sin in my life.)

3) Read and do what 1 John 1:5-10 explain very clearly.

4) I understood that sin is to still be walking in the darkness. God is light! Therefor all sin needs to be confessed to God before it can be forgiven (1 John 1:9)

5) Lastly, accept that forgiveness by God in faith a He promised!

2.    ACCEPT JESUS AS MY LORD AND SAVIOUR BY FAITH

Practically my friend leaded me to one very Practically but simple Bible verse to make it clear: JOHN 1:12

I used the NET Translation here:

"To all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children "

I EXPLAIN IT HERE IN EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE STEPS.

1) Yes, I want to receive Him - How?

2) I need to believe Him (His Salvation Plan). I believe in His Name and accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His Son, dying on the cross for my salvation) - Yes, I did!

3) I practically prayed it; I said it in a prayer to Him, that I received Him by faith (confessing that I believe and accept Him - Romans 10 helped me to understand it) "For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation." Romans 10:10)

4) I accept Him as my Father God and me as His child (John 1:12)

5) I opened my life in faith for His Holy Spirit that bears witness that I am now a real Child of God and He promised to be my Father (Romans 8:14)

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”

The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:14-16)

6) After all this, I started to grow in knowledge and understanding!

Best is to join some fellow Christians for regular BIBLE STUDY and WORSHIP.

PART 4: ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION:

Most Important: You can and must be absolute sure about your salvation, that your sins being forgiven, you being a child of God from your loving Father, sure of eternal life after death. (Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)

PART 5: PRACTICAL TESTS TO BE SURE THAT YOU ARE  RIGHT WITH GOD:

THE FOLLOWING FRUITS OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BECOME A VISIBLE PART OF YOUR LIFE - GOOD WORKS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.

(NO, NOT GOOD WORKS TO TRY TO EARN ANY OF YOUR OWN SALVATION)

Dear friend, If you still don't understand this important difference, you need to repeat this study again from the beginning, or ask a real Christian to help you in this!)

                1. YOU WILL BE SURE OF YOUR SALVATION BY FAITH ON HIS                             WORD - Just believe and confess it daily. (1 Joh 5:11-13)

Ø Also read more about - How can I have assurance of my salvation? - https://www.gotquestions.org/assurance-salvation.html

2. YOU WILL BECOME PART OF THE CHURCH! (Confessing Him to others with your tongue and be Baptized in His Name is the seal of your Salvation, the confirmation of your decision to follow Christ (Romans 10:9)

3. AS MEMBER OF A CHURCH ONE WILL SERVE GOD AS A LIVING MEMBER OF THE CHURCH BY WORSHIP, PRAISE AND TO SERVE HIM WITH OTHERS. 

NOTE: It's important to have fellowship with other fellow believers; If you initially find it difficult to openly join a church, WELCOME TO JOIN OUR INTERNET CHURCH ON WHATSAPP HERE TILL YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MEET OTHER CHRISTIANS

Ø Join our WhatsApp Church here -  https://chat.whatsapp.com/GFRn1X7CztoCkBnfFlPZKq

4.    If you want to get in touch with other Christians, welcome to try any of the following contact methods provided here... https://truth-god-islam-facts.blogspot.com/p/14how-to-keep-in-touch-with-us.html 

5.    SERVING GOD IS ALSO SERVING OTHER PEOPLE AS PART OF THE TASK OF THE CHURCH? 

6.    ONE WILL ALSO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS, BEING AN "EVANGELIST" TO OTHERS OR A "MISSIONARY" TO THE WORLD. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Ø To learn and get help in HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS Download the GodTools app: https://godtoolsapp.com

Ø Or try https://knowgod.com/

            7.    THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL REALIZE IN YOUR LIFE

Do some Bible Study about the Holy Spirit and it's fruit in one's life (Galatians 5:22)

8.   YOU SHALL START TO WITNESS ABOUT YOUR NEW LIFE OF FAITH; SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION ALSO WITH OTHERS... (IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW, ASK YOUR PASTOR OR FELLOW CHRISTIANS)

DEAR NEW CHRISTIAN: IF YOU MAKE THIS DECISION TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, welcome to send me a message so that I can rejoice with you and have fellowship together.

It will be nice to hear from you.

-        Email: forgive70X77@gmail.com

-        WhatsApp: Chris +27764285260