SALT & SONSHINE
Pastor/Teacher James R. Paxton


 

Where are you going?

   If you had asked me several years ago how I was doing I would have told you that I was doing fine.  I had a good job and was happily raising my family.  That is until one night (March 2, 1972) I came face to face with my future.  I was a sinner but that night I had consented to go to church just to get people off my back.   I asked my wife at the conclusion of the service if she was ready to go and she nodded yes.  I got up to exit but for some reason I turned the opposite way and wound up at the altar crying out to God to forgive me of my sin.  My wife was at my side.  That night we both became born again and were translated into the Kingdom of God.  We didn’t know what that meant and have learned much over the years since then.

    Prior to that date, we, like everyone else were on our way to hell because we  had not accepted Jesus as our Savior.  The only thing that kept us from going to hell was when we accepted Jesus, His blood was applied to our lives and we were cleansed, totally, of our sins and set free.  Again, we didn’t know what that meant but it was not our knowledge that was the key, but it was the faithfulness of God and the integrity of His Word.  His grace was waiting for us and as soon as we released our faith and asked Jesus into our hearts we  became new creatures in Christ Jesus.  Old things were passed away.   We became part of the family of God.  Our lives were changed forever.

    Once again;  if the blood of Jesus had not been applied to our lives, we would still be on our way to hell, forever.  Hell is an awful place of torment and damnation.  Hell is a place of punishment and eternal pain and darkness.  There is no escape, no appeal no way out.  It is punishment for rejecting Jesus who died on Calvary’s cross for your and my sins.  Hell was designed for the Devil and all who followed him.  It was not designed for any human being.  God is not willing that any should perish.  It is the blood of Jesus that paid the price so that anyone who accepts Jesus is automatically cleansed by that precious blood.  That’s how much God loves you.  He was willing to sacrifice His beloved Son so you could be saved.  He loves you that much.   He left it in your hands.  It’s your decision.  It’s your future.  It’s your life.

   So the question remains, where are you going?  Because of the sins of Adam and Eve our birth certificate was validated as a citizen of hell.  The only escape is through and by the blood of Jesus Christ.  If you think speaking of the blood is gross, how do you think God felt watching His beloved Son die an awful death by crucifixion for you, for me.  None of us were worthy but that didn’t change a thing.  Only your decision will.  Jesus will accept you, if you call on Him.  We weren’t good enough and neither are you until you humble yourself and ask Jesus into your heart.  Have you?  Will You.?  I pray that you do.


Maranatha!