Pastor Tim Valentine was teaching about hell, and I totally understood everything he was saying. It was like he was speaking directly to me, and no one else was in the room. My mom told me to stop fooling around during the church service because I could not sit still. Something was happening inside me that night.  Let me tell you what I learned and came to believe that night. 

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God loves me. God loves you too. His love is the reason we all exist on this earth. He created us for his glory, which means you have a purpose in life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

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I am a sinner.  I didn’t become a sinner by sinning, but rather I was a sinner when I was conceived in my mother’s womb. Do you remember that story about Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit? That was not just a children’s story. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Have you ever lied, cheated, disrespected your parents, stolen anything, had impure thoughts, or broken any of the other Ten Commandments? Of course you have! Just like me, you are a sinner too. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

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Christ Died for Me. There are two things that are certain in life - death and taxes. And guess what? We all have to die at some point. It’s not a fun thought, but it’s just the way it is. Because we’re all sinners, we’re going to die. And that’s because the price of sin is death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). Did you know that God hates death just as much as we do? God never wanted anyone to die. It all started when Adam disobeyed God and followed the Devil’s temptation. Even today, God doesn’t want anyone to face the full consequences of being a sinner. That means being separated from Him forever in a place called Hell. This is what truly captivated me as a seven year old boy. Jesus was born, died and rose again from the dead take the full consequence and penalty of my sin, and the sin of the world upon him. He literally took our place on that cross when he died. Romans 5:8 puts it this way. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” You see, without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin. The price had to be paid, and Jesus did it! He died for my sin, your sin, and of the sin of the whole world. 

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If I Believe… There are many religions that teach different ways to get to heaven. Some believe everyone goes to heaven automatically, while others say you have to do good deeds called “sacraments” to get there. But the Bible never says that. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you’ll be saved!” You believe that Jesus willingly took your place on the cross and rose again so your sin can be forgiven, and that’s what will save you from the penalty of sin. That’s all there is to it because Jesus has already done the work for you. All you have to do is believe that Jesus did it for you, and you are immediately rescued (saved) from sin. Going to church, being baptized, taking the sacraments (communion), promising to be a disciple or a good person cannot save you. Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Being saved from sin is simply a matter of looking back to what Jesus has already done for you and believing it. 

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…I have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…” The word “eternal” means “life without end.” Ephesians 1:13 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” God permanently places His seal of ownership on you the moment you accept Christ. God promised in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

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So this is my story. At the end of the church service, Pastor Valentine invited anyone who wanted to be saved from sin to come to the front of the church and accept Jesus as Savior. I asked my mother to come with me, and prayed with Pastor Tim that night. I believe in Jesus as my own personal Savior. I don’t remember the words of the prayer I prayed, but they don’t matter anyway. I remember my heart, even as a boy, believing that Jesus died for me. That moment changed my life and my destiny. A few weeks later I was baptized as an outward sign showing what Jesus had done in my heart. 

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You can be saved too! It is simple as God loves you. You are a sinner. Christ died for you. If you believe, you have eternal life. If you have never looked back to the cross and believed Christ died and rose again for you, would you take a moment to do that right now? Believe! Yes, it is that simple! It is God’s desire for you. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today. If you do, could you please let me know. Email me at pastortimlewis@gmail.com or call or text me at 603-892-0827. 

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If you would like to learn more about what Jesus has already done, I encourage you to read a short book writing by my friend, Cary Schmidt. If you have any further questions, please contact me. 

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