WTKM  Devotions: Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Friday: April 2, 2010

Title:  To Give Us Eternal Life

I recently heard a speaker tell an audience that the most precious thing we have is “time.”  He reminded us that we can buy time or borrow it.  Each one of us has only 24 hours in a day.  When those 24 hours are over (and they go so quickly) we can never go back and relive them.  That’s how it is with the years of our lives also.  We have only so many years (which again go so quickly) and then they are over.  Like the hours we cannot go back and relive them either.

Hi, I’m Pastor Jeff Schimp of Glacier Hills Bible Church here in Hartford, Wisconsin.  This Easter week I have been sharing each day on WTKM  radio reasons why Jesus had to die.  One of the clearest reasons Jesus had to die was that He might give to us eternal life.  Listen to the words of the Bible:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Furthermore the Bible goes on to say:

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on Him.” John 3:36

The death of Jesus Christ was so that you and I might have eternal life.  When we see how quickly the hours and then the years pass we begin to realize how very temporary life for us on this earth is.  God has placed within the human soul a longing of that which is eternal and lasting.  In the Bible Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, “He has put eternity into man’s heart.”  While we fight aging with face creams and exercise the reality is that death is coming for each one of us.

The only true escape from the approach of death is found in gaining eternal life.  Gaining eternal life is what this day “Good Friday” is all about.  Jesus Christ gave His life upon the Cross of Calvary so that you and I might have “everlasting life.”  That life is gained as we place our trust in Jesus Christ to be our Savior.   Listen again to what the Bible says about becoming a Christian:  “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Furthermore the scripture states, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:12 .

Can you stop for just a moment and answer one question.  What have you done with Jesus?  Have you placed your faith in Him as your Savior and Lord and as the One Who gives you everlasting life?  That decision is the most important decision you will ever make.  I urge you to consider it carefully.

I’d like to offer you additional help in this area.  You may contact me through our web page  www.Glacierhillschurch.org While you are there you will see our invite to our Good Friday and Easter Services along with location and times.

God bless and have a wonderful day!