I grew up always going to “church” and learning about the Bible. My parents were both Christians who believed that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, just like the Bible says. We were taught that the Bible was God’s word and I always did believe that, but I had no interest in it personally and I did my best to avoid it.
Looking back God was definitely watching over me, as there were many times that if things had changed slightly, I would not be here. Many of these times were vehicle related and once stands out and actually scared me at the time. I was on my motorcycle, riding with a friend, passing everything in sight. At one point I was passing on a blind hill at roughly 3 times the speed limit and i knew if I met something, I would be dead. Right after, I remember thanking God for keeping me safe, but an hour later I had forgotten all about God again.
To make a long story short, when I was 18 I became interested in the woman that is now my wife and she was a “Christian” which simply means a follower of Christ (Jesus), the same as my parents were. Any time I thought of her, it forced me to think about the things that I knew the Bible said.
On August 24, 2016 I was faced with a verse from the Bible that says:
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
And then in a few chapters:
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I knew that I had done some bad things but I never thought that they were against God. After reading those verses I realized that my “sins” were against God since he was the one who said not to do them, and I also realized that based on the Bible I deserved to be punished by God for what I had done. Then it hit me that when Jesus died on the Cross, he was punished for my sin. And if he was punished then I didn’t have to be.
John 3:16
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I’m a simple guy, I live a simple life but based on the Bible I know that when this life is done I’ll be in Heaven, that’s what eternal life means. My brains aren’t going to get me there, my money isn’t getting me there, the pope isn’t going to get me there and my parents can’t do anything for me either. Jesus died for my sins and that is all the Bible says that I need. I believe it. The Bible says “whoever believes” so that tells me that anyone can go to Heaven and that’s why I’m sharing this. I know where I’m going and you can know too.
“The wages for my sin is death, but Jesus died for me”
August 24, 2016
The Following Audio is taken from a Gospel Meeting on 2024-08-04