1. Life, however long it is, is very brief.

       2. There is a HEAVEN that we must seek to gain and a HELL that we must seek to shun.

       3. Soon you will be in eternity.

       4. You will spend eternity in heaven in a state of indescribable glory, or in hell where they weep and wail and gnash their teeth for pain.

       May God awaken you to the fact that as a sinner you are not only going to be lost, but YOU ARE ALREADY LOST.

       If you recognize this fact, you can take courage in what Jesus said: “For the Son of man is come to SAVE that which was lost.” Matt. 18:11.

HIS NAME DECLARES THIS FACT

       “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall SAVE his people FROM THEIR SINS.” Matt. 1:21.

IN ORDER TO BE SAVED

YOU MUST REPENT

       “REPENT YE, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt. 3:2.

       “…Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3.

       “The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30.

TRUE REPENTANCE IS MANIFESTED BY ITS FRUITS

       “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matt. 3:8.

1. Deep Sorrow for Sin

       “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of…” 2 Cor. 7:10.

       “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Psa. 38:18.

2. A Broken and a Contrite Spirit

       “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psa. 34:18.

       “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psa. 51:17.

       “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a CONTRITE AND HUMBLE spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. 57:15.

3. Confession

       With a contrite spirit, confess your sins.

       “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.

       “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matt. 3:6.

4. Leave all Sin Behind

       It is not sufficient to repent and confess, but you must also FORSAKE all sin.

       “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7.

       “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13.

       “…Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

       “…Go, and SIN NO MORE.” John 8:11.

5. A Forgiving Spirit

       We must forgive those who have offended us, or God will not forgive us.

       “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But IF YE FORGIVE NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE your trespasses.” Matt. 6:12-15.

       “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25.

       “…So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matt. 18:35.

6. Restitution

       All that has been stolen or taken by deceit should be restored, or its equivalent in money, given to the owner.

       “…If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” Luke 19:8.

7. Faith

       While you pour out your heart to God in prayer, take the final step and you will find that your burden of sin and guilt will be lifted. Your heart will then be full of peace and joy.

       “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

       “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6.

       “…This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4.

       It will not be difficult to exercise faith if we follow these steps.

       “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9.

       Jesus said, “…Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

 —By William Beirnes