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A Word From Our Pastor If you are a resident of Ajo, a winter visitor, or just passing though we would love for you to visit us. People have many needs in this hectic fast-paced world in which we live, yet the greatest need is a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone we come in contact with has a story, or rather a back story. Some are religious, others have never been inside a church. Some have addictions, others have tried to live a "clean" life. It really makes no difference how good anyone thinks they are, the bible makes it very clear, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). What this means is no matter how "good" a person thinks they are, they are still a sinner. The Bible then makes it clear what that sin costs, "For the wages of sin is death..." (Rom 6:23a). A wage is what we earn because of what we do; because we have sinned, broken God's law, the payment required is death. Many like to make jokes about death and hell, boasting they will go there to party with their friends. Oh dear ones, this is nothing to joke about, Because God is holy He cannot ignore or overlook sin, and the judgement upon sin is death and hell, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Rev. 20:14). Jesus spoke of this awful place to avoid, "...it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than to have two hands to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43b-44). Many wrongly think their morality, or their religion, or happy thoughts about God, will save them, however these, nor any other effort on our part, will pay the penalty for sin. "Man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16). The ONLY payment that is acceptable is death. It is hard to admit, but we each are sinners deserving to pay God's penalty for our sin. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus died in my place, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). He payed the penalty for our sin and offers it to us as a gift for which we could never deserve nor earn, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). We earn a wage because of what we do, we receive a gift, not because of our works, but due to the love of the giver of the gift. This gift we receive by faith. "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" (Ephesians 2:8-9). We understand, and believe, we are sinners deserving of punishment in hell for our own guiltiness. We also by faith believe who Jesus is, God the Son, who died in my place for my sin. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 10:9-11). I would like to extend a special invitation, none of us are guaranteed another day, turn to Jesus before its eternally too late .I encourage you, if you have never confessed your sinfulness to God and put all your faith and trust in His sacrifice for you on the cross, do it now. The greatest thing in the world is knowing your sins are forgiven and you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Also, if you are in the neighborhood, I would like to extend another invitation, we would love to have you visit us. In Our Saviour's Love, |
Ajo Calvary Baptist Church
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