There are a lot of people who believe in Jesus Christ who have yet to see their NEED for Him. Jesus made that clear in Matthew 7:21-23:
Not everyone that says to me, "Lord, Lord" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and in Your name cast out devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works?".
And then I will profess to them, "I never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity!"
According to Christ Himself, there will be a multitude of people with good intentions who will never enter heaven's gates. This is because they have never seen their NEED for Him.
Jesus said in Luke 5:31-32
"They that are whole (or self-righteous) NEED not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous (or self-righteous), but sinners to repentance."
Until a person sees himself as beeing "sinfully" sick, he will never see his NEED for the Savior. Our problem is not in what we do before God, but what we are before God. We are sinners in NEED of the Savior!
"There is none righteous, no, not one"
--Romans 3:10
According to the Word of God, the reason we NEED a savior is that no one is good enough to save himself. Though some religions teach salvation by works, the fact remains, no one can save himself. We NEED the Savior!
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
--Romans 3:23
According to God's word, the reason no one is good enough to earn heaven on his own merits is that we have all sinned. We are sinner by birth, by nature, by practice, and by choice. Truly, we NEED the Savior!
"The wages of sin is death"
--Romans 6:23
Jesus said in Luke 12:4-5,
"...My friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast you into HELL; Yes, I say unto you, Fear Him."
According to God, the penalty for being a sinner is death. Death is two-fold. We will die once physically and a second time spiritually.
"God commands His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us"
--Romans 5:8
The only payment for sin and its penalty (hell) is the precious blood of Christ. Christ (God) came down to earth in the form of a man (Jesus). he died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. All you or I must do to gain heaven is simply go out to the One who paid for our salvation and ask Him to save us!
"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
--Romans 10:13
1.) Admit to God that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
2.) Admit to God that your sin will send you to hell-- This is why you NEED the Savior. (Romans 6:23)
3.) Believe that Christ died (paid) for your sins. (Romans 5:8)
4.) Ask Christ to save you and take you to heaven. (Romans 10:13)
5.) Don't stop there! Start reading the Bible. find a group of believers (preferably a church) to study, live, and share God with! Be open to the third part of God, the Holy Spirit, and let him convict you of right and wrong, and guide your steps.
Click here to download God's Word, the Holy Bible
Simply take God at His Word and claim His promise for your salvation. Bow your head right now and sincerely ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and save your soul.
Text derived from a tract from Mineral Heights Baptist Church. 3201 Robin Road, Greenville, Texas 75402. 1(903)455-6248. Brad Strand, Pastor.
*Note: This was one of the tracts that helped a S.T.R.I.K.E. member lead a man to Christ. Click here to see what happened!*