By
Dr. George Alquist, Jr.
Golf is a magnificent
sport! The world’s ultimate individual competition where a man receives what he
has earned by virtue of his skill and ability. In the game of golf there is no
one else to blame but oneself and no one to share the glory with but the same.
Golf is the game you either love to hate or hate to love. The game is so
compelling that no matter how bad you may do one day, you will be itching to be
out another. It is, at the same time, an exercise in frustration and a
refreshing pause from routine. Golf is indeed a wonderful game.
One thing about golf
is that you could never get a “perfect” score, a score of 18.
When we get a good score we are usually quite pleased with ourselves. However,
no matter how hard we try, we will always fall short of that “perfect”
score! Well, that is true with getting to heaven as well. The Bible says in
Romans 3:23,
“...all have
sinned and come SHORT of the glory of God.”
You see, we have all
sinned against God and disqualified ourselves from achieving heaven as our
eternal home. We have a sinful nature; and sin because we are sinners. This sin
against God brings its own dessert,
“For the wages of
sin is death...” Romans 6:23.
Because of sin, we
die physically and spiritually,
“And death and
hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of
fire.” Revelation 20:14,15.
Our sin has earned
for us an eternal penalty in the lake of fire. But, Romans 6:23 goes on to say,
“...but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Since we could not
earn our own salvation (that would be possible only by living a completely
perfect and sinless life, like hitting an 18 every time we played golf) God
made salvation available to us as a free gift.
One might ask how
such a wonderful gift could be offered. The gift of eternal life can be offered
by God because someone paid the price for it. That someone was the Lord Jesus
Christ.
“But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.” Romans 5:8.
Jesus Christ died on
Calvary's cross to pay for your sins. He was buried in your tomb
and rose from death for your salvation. In the book of Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8&9 we
read,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast.”
The gift of God's
salvation is not for sale and cannot be earned by good deeds, religious
activity, or personal performance. The gift of God's salvation can only be
received as it is, a FREE gift. Romans 10: 13 tells us,
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
John 1: 12 states,
“But as many as received (by trusting and calling) him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
My friend, I John 1:9
promises,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This confession is
made to Jesus Christ, not to men.
“For there is one
God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” I Tim. 2:5.
Dear reader would you
now, where you are, bow your head and confess your sin to Jesus Christ and ask
him to forgive you and save your soul? If you will, He will! He
promised! Pray something like this, “Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and
unable and undeserving of heaven. However, I believe that Jesus Christ died for
my sins and rose again for my salvation. I trust You, Lord Jesus Christ as my
personal Saviour, and ask You to save me. Thank You for loving me Lord and
thank You for saving me by your grace. Give me the grace to live for you.
Amen.”
If you just prayed that prayer sincerely, upon the authority of God's Word, you are saved! Heaven will be you eternal home someday. You should let someone know of you decision. You may visit the church listed on this leaflet or write to me at 806 Parade St. Erie, PA 16503. Congratulations!