HARTSTONE

YOUR LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR

It is a wisp of smoke; here for a moment and then it is gone. “All flesh is like grass, and its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls off” (1 Peter 1:24)

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YOUR DEATH IS GUARANTEED

You may live 70-80 years.  But it is entirely possible that your unbreakable date with death is tonight or tomorrow. One thing is for sure. Your death is guaranteed. That is only part of the problem, “…inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27)

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GOD'S VERDICT FOR YOU WILL DETERMINE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY

What will the final verdict be for you?  You may say, “God has no right to judge me!”  But the Bible reveals God as the creator of heaven and earth who has absolute authority. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”(Genesis 1:1)  He is absolutely pure and perfect in character and He is the righteous judge of the universe, who alone determines right from wrong. “God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.” (Psalm 7:11)

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GOD WILL MEASURE YOUR LIFE ACCORDING TO HIS LAW

God’s law states:

• “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) If you do not worship God, you are worshiping something or someone else and you have a god before the one true God.

• “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”(Exodus 20:7) Have you ever included God’s name in swearing?  Have you needlessly used His name?

• “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:7) Have you ever disobeyed or not honored your parents?

• “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)  Have you ever taken something which did not belong to you?

• Jesus says “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court…and whoever says, ‘You fool’, shall be guilty enough to go into fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

• Jesus also says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

 

You may be saying or thinking, “I know I am not perfect, but I always try to do good” and “certainly God will see that and overlook my shortcomings.”  But the Bible also says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” (James 2:10)  You may think that if I can’t make amends for my sin that maybe God will overlook my guilt. God’s word says, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…” (Nahum 1:3)

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CLEARLY THE VERDICT IS: GUILTY

You stand condemned before the righteous judge of the universe and the sentence according to Romans 6:23 is death; eternal separation of your soul from God in a place known as hell.  Jesus described hell as a place of unending torment, agony, unquenchable fire and eternal punishment where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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THE BAD NEWS

God’s justice must be satisfied and the penalty for His law must be carried out. This is bad news. “The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.  You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.” (Psalm 5:5-6)

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BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS

Though we had no way to save ourselves, God provided the way for sinners to be saved by sending His Son Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish; but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  Jesus who is God, lived a perfect, sinless, righteous life.  He became a man and came to die on the cross as the Savior for sinners who believe.  At the cross, Jesus took on Himself the sin of those who would believe in Him.  He bore and paid their penalty enduring the wrath of God the Father.  He stood in their place and died for the forgiveness of their sins.  “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5)

 

Jesus died but He didn’t stay that way, rising from the dead. He is alive! Jesus created and sustains all things.  He is Lord! The Bible says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  So look to Him, believe in Jesus and you will be saved.  For Jesus says that, “…unless you repent (that is to turn from your sin and turn to God) you will perish.” (Luke 13:3)  The Bible says, “…whoever believes in Him (God’s son Jesus) shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  

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As a sinner before a holy God, Jesus Christ is the only way to be forgiven and spared the horrors of hell.  The joy of heaven awaits the forgiven sinner, where there is no more pain or suffering.  For the one forgiven, life in this world is as bad as it gets.  For the rest….this life is as good as it gets.

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So if you haven’t already, look to Him and be saved!  In repentance, turn from sin and trust in Christ!  Flee to Him! Treasure Him! Know Him!  Love Him!  Jesus Christ is the only Savior.  Look to Him and be saved.

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If you have already turned to Christ, praise Him for His marvelous and more than amazing grace!  In light of His mercies: Live for Him.  Work for Him.  Worship Him!

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Read your Bible every day and obey it.If you have repented and turned to Christ in faith and obedience, you have begun a wonderful new life with Him.  To know Him better you should:

• Pray to Him everyday and tell others about Him.

• Attend a Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you will grow in your faith with others.