“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:13-14 NKJV)

According to that passage above, our life is like a vapor that appears for a moment and then it fades away. You see, life goes by so quickly because we are here for such a short time. So, if this is the case, how should we live our lives? Should we only be pleasing ourselves with no regard of the consequences that may follow? Or should we be aware that there is a God who has a standard by which we are to live by? For the bible does say: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) So, it makes more sense to know God’s will instead of seeking our own will and ways. For the afterlife (whether it be in heaven or hell) is a lot longer than this temporal existence here on earth.

Therefore, let’s live for today with heaven in mind. For God’s word says: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in Jehovah forever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 ASV)

“He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 ASV)

That passage above makes it clear on how we should be living our lives. And it’s also true that our eternal destiny is determined on how we conduct ourselves as well. However, we also read that even our best efforts will not get us right before God our Father. For: “We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind.” (Isaiah 64:6 NET) But again we read: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)

So, if this be the case, how can anyone be saved? Because no matter how determined we are to do good, we would still fall short of being right in God’s sight. For even Paul the apostle said concerning himself: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25) So, there you have it. For we read that there is a way to get right before God. Therefore, I encourage you to continue reading and discover that faith in Jesus Christ is our hope to get right with God.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

What a bold statement Jesus is claiming in that passage above. For he is saying that there is no other way to God except through him. In other words, Jesus is implying that all other religions and beliefs are false, and that he is the only true way to God the Father. And to go even further with this, we read: “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) So, God’s word clearly proclaims that it’s through Jesus Christ and him alone that our sins are atoned.

Now, I have come to believe that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to have a true relationship with God. For I myself was one of those who was running from him. That's because I wanted to live life my way and to do the things I wanted to do. This I did being fully aware that I was doing wrong and affecting others in a bad way. But one day while I was wallowing in my sins and feeling so lost, Jesus made himself known to me. And even though I didn’t see him physically, I felt his presents upon me in such a real way. For I heard about Jesus Christ and even went to church when I was young. However, I never really knew who he was until that day he opened my eyes. And for the first time in my life, I understood who God was and realized that I can have a relationship with him through his Son Jesus Christ.

And what else is amazing is the fact that God chose me even when I wasn’t looking for him. For Jesus himself said: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16) Therefore, I want to be is totally in love with God because he loves me and sought me out. I want to be always mindful of him, worshiping and praising him with my whole being. Amen.

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and what God was the word was. This word was in the beginning with God. Everything came to be through it, and apart from it nothing came to be that has come to be.” (John 1:1-3 REV)

Now, let’s touch a little bit on the subject of who Jesus is and was. Now, it would be quite difficult to get into any details on who he was before he came to earth as a human being. But it’s somewhat clear that he existed in the “form of God” (see first bullet below). And it’s also clear that through him, God was able to create not only this world and everything in it, but the whole universe as well. And of course, Jesus came to show us who the “only true God” is, and to show that he himself (Jesus) is the way to the “only true God” (which we know is God our Father). For Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) And the only way Jesus could do that is to take upon himself the sins of the world. This we will be touching on more below. So, please read on.

• Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 ASV) Note: Jesus while existing in the "form of God" let go of who he was and become like one of us humans.
• And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:3-4 ESV) Note: Jesus came to show us who God our Father is and that he (Jesus) is the promised Messiah which will bring us (who believe in him) to the Father.
• We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20 NIV) Note: John the apostle reminds us of what Jesus prayed to the God the Father. That "him who is true" and the "true God" are both speaking of God the Father. And that Jesus mission was to bring us to the Father.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Remember what was said earlier about God giving his only begotten Son. This relationship that I have with God is because Jesus died on the cross for my sins. This he did so that I can be forgiven for every sin that I committed. For it’s true that he took my place by suffering for me. This he did, not only through whippings, beatings and then being nailed to the cross, but by spending three days and nights in hell as well. For Jesus said: “as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40 ASV) And how was it for Jonah in the belly of the whale? “I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jonah 2:2 ASV, KJV) Yes, Jonah was in affliction. Therefore, we can also conclude that Jesus suffered torment is hell. 

So then, none of us can earn forgiveness by doing good works. For all our works all based on our own efforts that are flawed. For God’s word says: “We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind.” (Isaiah 64:6 NET) So, only through Jesus Christ can we be forgiven. For he is our perfect sinless sacrifice who took the penalty for ever bad thing that we ever committed.

So, all that being said, we can see that God the Father paid a high price by giving his Son to take all of our sins. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn why God would punish all who refuse to except Jesus as their Savior. You see, we weren’t bought with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (1st Peter 1:18-19) For it's true that God desires that none should perish. For his word says: “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NET) Yes, this is true. For even in the Old Testament, we read: “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11 ASV)

So then, we can see that God doesn't not want anyone to die in their sins. For he wants us to receive his son Jesus and spend all eternity with him in paradise. So, that is why I love him with my whole heart. For God thought of me and saved me from eternal punishment. And he will do the same for you as well if you give yourself completely over to him.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

So, do you want true love, joy and peace in your life as described above? Well, it’s all yours if you repent of your sins and give your life over to God. And for the first time in your life, you will experience life in a whole new way. For as our Lord and savior Jesus Christ said, it’s like being “Born Again.” That’s because God will fill you with His Holy Spirit. And by walking after the Spirit, you can put to death that old life with all its sins and now live a life pleasing to God. (see Romans 8:13) And the neat thing is, you’ll be so excited that you'll want everybody to know about this new relationship that you have with God. For the fruit of the Spirit mentioned above will flow from you and effect other people as well.

For: “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That’s how it is with God’s Love, once you’ve experienced it, your spread the love to everyone, you want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the tress are budding, the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming; That’s how it is with God's love, once you’ve experienced it. You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring, you want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I’ve found; You can depend on God, it matters not where you’re bound, I’ll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD! I want the world to know, The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.” (Song penned by composer and pianist, Kurt Kaiser, 1969)

• Jesus answered him, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’.” (John 3:3-7 ESV)

“This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

Now, by walking after God’s Holy Spirit, we can be aware of his presence in everything we think, say, and do. Therefore, we can now put away all the sins that we had done in the past. These sins are called the “works of the flesh.” For we read: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV)

So then, as “born again” Christians, we need to put these works of the flesh far from us. For being saved is not a license to continue in our sins. For we also read: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)

Below are a few scriptures showing that we through the Holy Spirit are to put away our sins from us:

• What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2 ESV)
• Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness. And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him. Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil. Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin, because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by God. (1 John 3:4-9 NET)

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 CSB)

Now, if we do happen to fall into sin, we are to repent before God according to that passage above. For John again said: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) However, we are not to make light of sin by thinking that God understands our situation and thus allows it. For his word does says: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Therefore, we must hate sin just as God does and therefore do our best to live a sin free life.

So again, let’s be diligent to walk after God’s Holy Spirit and put away sin from our lives. For the sins of the flesh are not only displeasing to God, but can make our (and others) lives miserable as well. However, we who are “born again” have Christ living in us, and therefore we can put off the sins of the flesh just as he did. For: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Yes, this is true. For: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) Amen.

• So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:16-21 NIV)
• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is a God who is real and loves you so much. He will bring true meaning and purpose to your life. All you need to do is give yourself completely over to him. Any other way would be empty, meaningless, and eventually could led you to eternal damnation. So, repent before God and turn your life over to Jesus Christ our Savior. Let him be Lord of your life by receive him in your heart today. You will not regret it, believe me. Now, all glory to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, by the power of his Holy Spirit within us. Amen. 

(Note: Text other than the King James Version is abbreviated after each verse. Also, they are listed below in more detail to assist you in your study of God’s word. Therefore: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15)

• NKJV = New King James Version
• ASV = American Standard Version
• NET = New English Translation
• ESV = English Standard Version
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible
• REV = Revised English Version

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