Two Ways to Live

God is the loving ruler of the world.

He made the world.

He made us the rulers of the world under him.

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11

But is that the way it is now?

We all reject the ruler - God - by trying to run life our own way without him.

But we fail to rule ourselves or society or the world.

There is on-one righteous, not even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God. All have turned away.
Romans 3:10-12

What will God do about this rebellion?

God won't let us rebel forever.

God's punishment for rebellion is death and judgement.

Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.
Hebrews 9:27

God's justice sounds hard.
But ...

Because of his love, God sent his son into the world: the man Jesus Christ.

Jesus always lived under God's rule.

Yet by dying in our place he took our punishment and brought forgiveness.

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18

But that's not all ...

God raised Jesus to life again as the ruler of the world.

Jesus has conquered death, and now gives new life, and will return to judge.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the ressurection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Well, where does that leave us?

Whoever belives in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.
John 3:36

Which of these represents the way you want to live?

What must I do?

Pray
for God to Change me so that I may:

Submit to Jesus
as my ruler

Rely on Jesus
for forgiveness
for eternal life

Prayer

Dear God,

I know that I am not worthy to be accepted by you. I don't deserve your gift of eternal life. I am guilty of rebelling against you and igorning you. I need forgiveness.

Thank you for sending your son to die for me that I may be forgiven. Thank you that he rose from the dead to give me new life.

Please forgive me and change me, that I mat live with Jesus as my ruler.

Amen.