Two Battling Kingdoms…spiritually we are faced with two kingdoms battling for our soul: one ruled by the loving and just God of the universe, the other kingdom ruled by Satan, who lead a rebellion from God’s kingdom to become the prince and power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The hard reality is that we have all fallen into the wrong kingdom and under the oppression of sin from birth.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
Find Yourself in the Wrong Kingdom? Satan’s kingdom is only temporary. Satan and all those who follow him will be judged, resulting in their eternal separation from God in a place called hell. For example: sins such as lying, stealing, wrong words or wrong thoughts may have value in Satan’s realm, but they are eternally damaging and they exclude us from entering the kingdom of heaven…
“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23a
And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
A King to Save Us! Because all of us have offended God, a righteous King, we need His loving forgiveness, to enter His Kingdom of Heaven. However, God is a holy and a just King, so there must be some punishment or price paid for sin, otherwise the rules for a relationship would not be just. Since God is just and holy, and before He can forgive us, His justice must be satisfied. Jesus Christ satisfied this demand by dying on the cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins with His blood. Because Jesus Christ took our punishment, our sin need not be a barrier between God and us, and we do not have to pay the punishment for our own sins in hell.
“But God commendeth (shows) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Who His own self (Jesus Christ) bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” I Peter 2:24
God does not offer His forgiveness to us on the basis of our good works, baptism, church membership or anything that we deserve to receive. He provides forgiveness and eternal life to us as a gift. That is grace!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b
From Peasant to Prince! If you agree that your sin is a problem that deserves everlasting punishment, if you ask for God’s forgiveness and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior by faith (not by earning it), then you will be set free from the penalty of sin, the burden of guilt, and a wasted life. You are born into God’s family, an heir to the riches Christ offers. Saving faith is placing your full dependence on Christ’s work: His death, burial, and resurrection as payment for your sins and for the gift of eternal life in Heaven. That is how to become God’s child, an heir to the King!
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Roman 10:9,13
A Kingdom Entered by Choice! If you see your need, and you would like to receive God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life, you may– right now– by calling on Him. Please contact us if we can help you with your spiritual needs.