NU169273@vm1.nodak.edu (06/04/91)
Heart-to-Heart
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Are you interested in your heart? Of course, you are!
And what is it doing right now? Rhythmically beating its
way ever nearer to your eternal destiny. Rushing at 60 to
100 beats a minute to that final, LAST BEAT--and it is
stilled!
Where will YOU be the next moment? At peace with God in
Heaven? OR--in the terrifying darkness of hell-fire with
the devil?
Hear the Bible speak: "And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone ... and shall
be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And whosoever
was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire." (Revelation 20:10, 15)
Hear the Lord Jesus Christ tell about the man who trusted
only in his wordly goods: "the rich man also died, and was
buried; And in hell lift up his eyes, being in torments."
(Luke 16:22, 23)
THE CHOICE IS YOURS! You can let your heart beat its way
straight to HELL. And once there, all exits are closed
forever. HELL IS REAL AND EVERLASTING!
But this is not what God wants for YOU! "Have I any
pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord
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GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and
live?" (Ezekiel 18:23) Again HE SPEAKS: "The Lord is not
slack concerning his promise ... but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
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should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9)
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And who are the wicked? ALL OF US! The Bible speaks
plainly: "by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have
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sinned. (Romans 5:12)
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So--there can be no peace with a Holy God if we are
separated from HIM by sin. And remember the slightest sin
is still SIN to God! Even the little white lie? YES!
What then is God's plan to save us? Again let us turn to
His Word: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
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works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Not a church, not a denomination, not water baptism, not
good works--nor a combination of all these can save us!
But faith in what? you may ask. Let the Apostle Paul,
chosen by God to proclaim the pure gospel of grace, point
the way: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved." (Acts 16:31)
And HOW must we believe? WITH THE HEART! "That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
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dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Your mind may accept the fact that Jesus Christ took your
sins and mine on Himself at Calvary. "Who his own self bare
our sins in his own body on the tree." (I Peter 2:24) But
do you believe it with YOUR HEART? Has your heart ever
despaired of your sinfulness? Is there a sense of utter
hopelessness to save yourself? And is YOUR HEART not
touched by the boundless love of YOUR CREATOR GOD when He
calls: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man
hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him."
(Revelation 3:20) GOD IS KNOCKING AT YOUR HEART DOOR. And
it could be the last time! Hear His warning: "My spirit
shall not always strive with man." (Genesis 6:3) "He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
Why does God warn you, my friend? BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU--
"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." (John 3:16)
Invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart as your own
Personal Savior! And let your heart beat on...without
fear...to an eternal destiny--IN HEAVEN!
K. Paulson
N. D. S. U. student
1372 32nd Street South #20
Fargo, North Dakota 58103