Millions of people make the same mistake in relation to God.
 
They trust their own assessment of what is good for them.

 
SEARCHING for SATISFACTION

Like most ten-month-olds, Jessica experienced the world around her by putting as much of it as possible into her mouth. Once Jessica munched on a bar of soap (she had only six teeth, but when you eat soap, six is all you need). Jessica had just one rule: If something would fit in her mouth, it was fair game.

One day Jessica discovered a treasure - a shiny nail embeded in the carpet. She raised it expectantly to her lips. When her dad took it away, Jessica became furious. Amid the screams, her dad wondered about her thoughts: Dad, give me that nail! Dont you want me to be happy? Why are you so mean to me?!

You woud be spared this trauma, my sweetheart, he thought as he looked down at her, if you only knew how much I love you. You should trust me because I really am on your side. You cannot even begin to understand how this nail would tear you up on the inside.

Jessica saw no need to look to her father for wisdom. Although she had no concept of what was dangerous or deadly, she had great confidence in her own judgement.

 
A Common Mistake:

Millions of people make the same mistake in relation to God. They trust their own assessment of what is good for them. As a result, our world has become a place of misery and pain - all because people disregard or rebel against the heavenly Father's instructions.

Because of God's great love, He yearns for us to come into a right relationship with Him and to follow His instructions. My precious child, you should trust Me because I really am on your side. I forbid only those things which would damage you. You cannot begin to understand how it tears you up on the inside when you deviate from My instructions. If something is really good for you, I want you to have it.

God is not the cosmic killjoy He is often portrayed to be. In fact, the Bible declared that just the opposite is true: "You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy. In Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11)

God desires our lives to be richly satisfying - filled with purpose, peace, freedom, and love - both in this life and in heaven forever. Genuine satisfaction is found only in a relationship with Him. There is an emptiness inside of us that only God can fill. He alone can satisfy our hearts.

God sent us a Rescuer, a Savior. Tragically, some people reject His help.  They say...
 
"I'm not really in danger" or
"I can make it on my own."

Separation from the One Who Loves Us
 
Our sin - going our own way rather than God's way - has tragic consequences. The Bible says our sins have cut us off from god (Isaiah 59:2). Sin keeps us from enjoying the relationship with God that we were designed for. Furthermore, the wages of sin is death - eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).

Some of us recognize this separation and attempt to make ourselves good enough to be in right standing with God. However, such efforts are like trying to swim from California to Hawaii. Whether you and I are Olympic swimming champions or dog paddlers makes no difference. Likewise, whether we are relatively righteous or hopelessly unrighteous, we all fall far short of God's standard: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23).

The notion that "Good people go to heaven and bad people to to hell" does not line up with what God says in the Bible. If we rely on our own goodness to establish a relationship with God, we will never know him! If we rely on our own goodness to get us to heaven, we will never get there! Fortunately, God has done something to rescue us and bring us to Himself

The following Bible verses tell what He did and why:"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16).

"Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

God sent us a Rescuer, a Savior. Tragically, some people reject His help. They say "I'm not really in danger" or "I can make it on my own."

Christ died to pay sin's penalty for us and rose again to make a relationship with God possible. Now God can justly offer forgiveness to those who would otherwise spend eternity in hell - separated from Him forever.

We all need the forgiveness God provides through His Son because good people don't go to heaven; only forgiven people do.

 
The Relationship You Long For
 
You have the opportunity to begin a relationship with the One who understands you completely, loves you unconditionally and will never leave you. God yearns for a relationship with you, but He won't force it upon you. God did not make you a puppet who would be forced to love Him back. The happiness God designs for you comes from being freely and voluntarily united with Him. You have a choice to make.

Those who harden their hearts and reject Christ, the One sent to rescue them, will discover that God is just. He cannot overlook their sin. They will bear the consequences of their decision forever. On the other hand, those who turn to God and trust in Christ to save them will find themselves in the arms of a God who is merciful and kind.

You can begin a relationship with God today. Turn from going your own way and invite Christ into your life, trusting in Him alone to be your Savior. Jesus says, "Listen! I am standing at the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with Me" (Revelation 3:20). The following is a suggested prayer you can pray right now.

"Lord Jesus, I'm sorry that my sins have kept me from You. Thank You fro loving me so much that You were willing to be punished on the cross for my sins so I could be forgiven. I open my heart to You. Jesus, I invite You in to be my Savior. I acknowledge that Your ways are better than my ways. Teach me and empower me to please You in every part of my life."
 

 
For more information or to inform us of your decision, please write to the address below:

 
American Tract Society
P.O. Box 462008
Garland, TX 75046-2008


The tract above was published by the American Tract Society.