COLUMNS

Now, Life - July 2009

by Tiffany Peterson

Our Ultimate Choice

We all make choices every day. When the alarm goes off in the morning, will we get up or hit the snooze button and roll over? This seems like an effortless choice, but every choice leads to a consequence. Some choices are simple but others can be the difference between life and death. The most important choice we will ever make in this life is whether or not we will choose Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

Have you ever thought, I’m a good person so I’ll go to heaven? Or, I’m saved because I go to church? Do you know that isn’t what it takes to get into heaven? Do you know what is required to enter heaven? It’s a choice! It’s a choice to believe that God sent his son Jesus to die for your sins, that Jesus defeated death by being resurrected from the dead on the third day. If you believe in your heart and confess that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved….

Many of us go through life thinking, “When I get it together and start being a better person, then I’ll turn to God. Right now, I’m just not doing the right things; he wouldn’t accept me like this.” But, there is good news, as we’re told in the Book of Romans 5:8: “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” We don’t have to be perfect before we turn to him, we don’t even have to be good before we ask him into our heart. Jesus’ closest friends were group of people that didn’t have their lives together before they met him. They were full of constant failings, struggles, sin and doubt, but Jesus chose them to be his disciples.   

No matter how deep you’ve fallen, God’s grace is bigger. You are not alone: “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  He will forgive you if you ask him to. Some of us are in denial that we even have a problem or need a savior. We need to recognize that there is an enemy out there; Satan is real and he doesn’t want us to know God. But God will never force himself on us because he gave us free will, he gave us the choice to love and obey him or not. 

The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 that the penalty for sin is death, eternal separation from God in Hell. But, God arranged for the penalty of sin to be paid for everyone that believes in him. He sent his only son Jesus - the promised savior – to give his life for the penalty of your sin and mine. 
It's through Jesus' death on the cross that our sins are forgiven and if you believe that Jesus died for you and rose again from the dead, you not only receive forgiveness of your sins, but the promise of eternal life with God.
His Word tells us that we must confess orally and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, and that you want him to rule your life.  Please pray this prayer out loud:

Father God, I realize I have sinned against you and I am sorry.  Please forgive me.  Help me to turn away from my sin and towards you.  I believe that your son Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for my sins, was resurrected, and now hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life. Please help me to live my life according to your Word. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Now through Jesus you can talk to God anytime and he will hear you. I pray that you will get into God’s Word. His word is the light that shines in dark times and guides us on how to live in this world.  Deciding where you want to spend eternity is the most important choice you will ever make. What will you choose?

Read Tiffany Peterson’s feature essay on new developments since her release from prison a few years ago.

To have Tiffany speak, contact her at tiffstransformation@yahoo.com or visit www.mtmchoices.org.