[ Read an introduction from Dan ]
Thanks for visiting. I hope you're enjoying everything here at stormhighway.com, and are learning a thing or two in the process. My name's Dan, I maintain the Storm Highway web site. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about the most important thing in my life - actually, the most important thing in life for anyone.
I know you've probably heard something about Him before, maybe in Sunday school when you were young or when you went to church recently. I'm sure you know the stories of Christmas and Easter. But I think there are probably a few more things about Jesus Christ that you'd be surprised to hear.
You might be thinking, "What's the big deal here anyway? Why is this so important?" Well, I guess I should start by saying that the Lord is not a 'religion', an 'idea' or an 'interpretation', He is a reality. We're not talking about ancient mythology or man's philosophies. He is as real as the chair you are sitting in and the keyboard in front of you. Even the complexities of nature, such as with the human body or a thunderstorm, demonstrate the existence of an intelligent creator. I personally know He is real because Christ has made a difference in the lives of billions of people, including mine. He distinctly answers my specific prayers and has done supernatural works in my life. I don't use Christ as a 'crutch' to rationalize away all of my problems.
I have given my entire life to Him - and in exchange, He saves me from an eternal punishment that I deserved (because of my sins), and gives me the privelege of relying on Him every day to give me what I need and even sometimes what I want, even though I know that I don't deserve it.
Because I know Christ is a reality and not just my 'religion', I have a big incentive to tell you about Him. I wouldn't go this far to just tell you about 'my opinion' or 'my personal beliefs'. Giving your life to the Lord is nothing like you'd think, and is nothing like most of our society portrays it to be. It's an adventure that I look forward to living every day. But most importantly, Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from the terrifying eternal consequences of our sins against God.
You've probably heard some people talk about our situation with God in only a positive light. Others might focus only on the negative stuff. But the whole story involves both: a problem (negative), and a solution (positive).
| Romans 3:10-12 |
| There is no one righteous, no, not even one. There is no one that understands, there is no one that seeks after God. Everyone has gone out of the way and has become unprofitable- there is no one that does good, no, not even one. | |
First of all, Christ came to earth for a reason: to solve a problem. That problem was/is our sin. Sin, in a nutshell, is breaking God's holy law. God set some simple rules for the people He created. He didn't set these rules to be a dictator, but for the good of mankind and for His honor. For example, the Ten Commandments promote doing good to others and worshipping God only, things that can only benefit the human race while bringing glory to God.
However, one problem: we didn't obey God's law. It all started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's first and only rule at the time. And ever since then, no man has ever been without sin. All of us have made choices and knowingly done wrong in our lives, something that even the best of us have to admit. The Bible says that "everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
What does this mean? It means that we've all sinned. We're all guilty. This includes me, my friends, everyone in churches everywhere - and it also includes you. Therein lies our problem. When you break your country's law, there's a price to pay. It's no different when you break God's law. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Not just physical death, but spiritual death culminating in judgement, separation from God and eternal punishment.
| John 14:6 |
| Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life - no man comes to the Father but through Me." | |
This is serious stuff. This means that you're in trouble. Contemporary society has painted a false picture of Heaven as a place that all good people automatically go when they die, and Hell as the opposite consequence for 'bad people' like murderers and thieves. But the Bible says that there are no good people. And the sobering reality is, this means you and I are headed for eternal punishment as a result of our sins. Being a member of a church can't help us. Giving to charity and doing good deeds won't save us. The situation is hopeless, because I can never make up for our sin. The Bible says that any good that I ever manage to do only adds up to "filthy rags" to the holy standard of God (Isaiah 64:6).
But it doesn't have to end that way.
| John 3:16 |
| For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
| |
So The Bible says that all you must do to be saved is call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, turning from your sins and believing that He paid the price for you. It's that simple.
When you make this first step, some pretty awesome things happen. First of all, your sins are forgiven. All of them - past, present and future! And at that moment, God sends His Holy Spirit to live inside you to guide, teach, empower and encourage you in your new life. Your eternal direction turns 180 degrees and you are guaranteed a forever in Heaven. Your life now has a purpose, and God will do amazing things in your new adventure living for Him. You are reconciled to God, and begin a new relationship with Him as your Heavenly Father.
But you need to be aware that being forgiven of all your sins is not automatic. You must make a sincere step of faith toward Christ to be saved. A generic belief in God, membership in a church, and/or charitable deeds do not make a difference in your eternal future. Jesus said that on the day of judgement, "Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have I not prophesied in Your Name, and driven out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty miracles in Your Name? And then I will say to them openly, Depart from Me, I never knew you".
You also need to know that living for Christ won't solve all of your problems here on earth, and will many times be difficult. It will not always be an easy, high-spirited walk down the primrose path. However, the Bible says that the troubles you face on earth pale in comparison to your eternal future. If you're sure of the awesome eternity that awaits you, nothing on this earth can overshadow your confidence. God promised to help those who trust in Him to make through this life.
| Romans 8:1 |
| There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
| |
Now that you've heard this important message, you need to do something about it. Life is short, so don't put it off- there may not be a tomorrow. Right now, eternity in torment is your future because of your sin. But God provided a simple way for you to escape, a way that you can take right now, if you believe.
Did you know that God led you to this site right now so you could hear His message? You are not here by accident! Right now, God's Holy Spirit is calling you to believe in Jesus Christ. If you truly believe and would like to begin a new life with Christ, tell it to God! You can do this by saying a simple prayer to Him about it. Any prayer is OK if you are sincere - but here's a suggestion:
Lord Jesus,
I realize I am a sinner.
I am sorry for the things I've done against you,
and I'm now turning from my sin.
Please forgive me, and come in to my life as my Lord & Savior.
Amen.
If you've given your life to Christ, or if you are considering it and would like someone to pray for you, please let me know by using the online response card below. This card doesn't record your identity or any personal information, it just sends me a short email message to let me know that you've been here. If you would like me to email you back, just enter your address in the space provided. You can also send your name in the second space provided if you like.
I gave my life to the Lord at age 18 in December of 1993, during my freshman year of college. Since that time I have experienced the change of new life, and have watched God do amazing things. I had previously attended a church and was 'confirmed', but I had never taken the vital step to accept Christ as savior.
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