Hello friends, this is David Gilbert. Thank you for taking the time to view my website. The reason I have invited you here is to share with you something that is of utmost importance to me, and I hope it will become important to you as well. I would like to share with you…my faith.
Today we live in a culture that teaches it is OK to have faith, or religion, but that it is a private matter. So private, in fact, that you’re not supposed to talk about it to anyone. As a Christian, I am “supposed” to share my faith with others, but because of our culture, sometimes it seems rather awkward or out of place. That is why I have created this site, so I can share the “Good News of the Gospel” with you in the privacy of your cyber space. I pray you will read on and consider what I have to say, or rather what God has to say, as given to us in His Word, The Bible.
Why Is Faith Important?
So some people are religious, and some are not. It’s all about personal interest, right? Like some people are into fishing and some just don’t have the patience for it, or like me don’t have any luck at it. Some are avid sports fans, and wouldn’t miss their team’s game if the world were ending. While others ask, “Who are the Colts? Are they baseball or basketball?!” And there’s religion…to be or not to be?
Well, if it were a matter of personal preference, I wouldn’t be wasting your time. I am not the type that has to have everyone see things my way, or think that you have to join my religion because it’s better. At issue here is what the Bible says about the importance of whether or not we believe in God. The Bible says, “…It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We all know the statistics, one out of one dies. It’s not if, but when…and this is appointed by God. After that we all will stand before God to give an account of our lives. The Bible states that after the judgment “These shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46). So according to the Bible, what we’re dealing with here is not only a matter of life and death, but eternal life and death. If I really believe this, and I do, then you can see why I am sharing with you. It is only out of concern for your present and eternal well being that I have directed you to my website.
Who Will Be Saved?
So the “righteous” will enter into life eternal. Who are the righteous? Some think that going to church and doing good deeds will make them good enough for Heaven. Some think that they are basically good, at least not as bad as some, and that they really have done nothing against God that He should punish them. Others think that if they can only do more good things than bad, the scales of justice will tip in their favor. The truth of the matter according to the Bible is that “…There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10b, 12b, 23). It also says concerning our good deeds that “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6a). The biggest sin that many people commit is simply rejecting or neglecting God’s great Plan of Salvation. Jesus took our punishment by dying on the Cross, and when we think we can be good enough to get into Heaven on our own merits, this is an insult to God and His free gift. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…” (Hebrews 2:3a).
If we are all sinners then, none of us will fair well on that dreaded judgment day. Based on these verses, it is clear that none of us will get to Heaven based on our good works, or simply by being a good, moral person.
What Is Missing?
It is apparent then that we need a Saviour. Because all of us are naturally out of favor with God, we need someone to bridge the gap between us and God. It is not because God hates us that He would condemn us to eternal punishment in Hell. It is that He is Holy and Just, and cannot tolerate the deeds of sin, or allow sin to go unpunished. That’s why God sent His Son, Jesus, to become a man like us, to teach us the ways of righteousness, and then to take upon Himself the punishment we deserved by dying on a cross.
The truth is that God loves us, and has made a way for us to be saved. The plan of salvation that He has provided for us cost Him dearly. The Bible says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
So you say you don’t understand what it’s all about…you have to go to church all your life to figure out the complicated formula…you can never measure up to a Holy God’s standard…??? Well here’s the simple truth from the Bible: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). A work associate once told me that the grammar in this verse is wrong. She said it should be believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe the meaning here is that we should not simply believe in Jesus, but we need to base our entire belief system on Jesus, and make Him the center of all we are. If we really believe in Him, we will believe on Him.
If we believe that Jesus is who He says He is, then we will begin to see ourselves for what we really are—sinners, alienated from a Holy God, and in need of a Saviour. We need to ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and give us His power to live the way He wants us to. “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” (Romans 10:9&10). “If we confess our sins (to God), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
That’s just how simple it is, believe and receive the free gift of Salvation!! However, it has to be genuine…you have to be ready to let Jesus Christ change the way you think and live. You need to ask forgiveness for the sins you have committed, and then turn away from those sins. As you study His Word, the Bible, you will receive instruction on how to live a righteous life. There are many old habits and sinful lifestyles that will need to fall away as you allow Jesus to change you and make you a new creation. You will need to ask God’s Holy Spirit to live within you, and lead and guide you daily to make the right choices.
Here are some more verses from the Bible along these lines: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6). “…As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:19b, 22, 23). “Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a).
Following This…
If you have taken these steps to become a true believer in Jesus Christ, you need to maintain your Salvation by reading the Bible daily, spending time with God in prayer daily (which is simply talking to God from your heart about whatever concerns you), and finding a Bible-believing church to attend. A good church is one that teaches that the Bible is God’s unerring Word, and is the final authority for how we should live our lives. A good church will also emphasize having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and living a holy life. This is important because many churches today are nothing more than religious social clubs. Many who attend these churches think that simply attending church and being on God’s side, doing good deeds, or adhering to some code of ethics will make them ready for Heaven. But as Jesus said, “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Ye must be born again” (John 3:3b, 7b).
I invite you to attend services at my church if you are in the Frankfort Indiana area, or you can visit online at www.fbhc.info. We have live streaming of the services on Sundays at 10:30am and 6:00pm. We also have an archive of the services so you can view them at any time.
Also, if you have any questions, please post them at the bottom of this page, or use the Contact Me tab on the menu bar. I will try to answer any questions you have. If you have accepted Jesus as a result of this website, I would love to know about it! Please tell me about it on this blog as well. You can also view some of the other menu tabs above for some other topics I hope you will find helpful. I pray that this has been a help to you, and that it has made you think about the importance of your soul’s Salvation. I will be praying for you…
If you haven’t come to a decision about Jesus Christ, please don’t delay. “…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b).
Very nice website David, you did a good job, good luck on the new website.
Thanks so much Paula for visiting my site! Did you experience any difficulties at all navigating the site, or leaving a comment? Was it easy to leave a comment? Thanks for any additional feedback you can leave me.
Hello and welcome to the House of Cheese, we hope you enjoy your stay!
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am now not positive whether
or not this submit is written by means of
him as no one else know such certain about my problem.
You’re amazing! Thank you!
Hello,
Thanks for your post. You mention you have problems that few know about. God knows all our problems, and is waiting to hear from you…all you have to do is call out to Him. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know. You can ask for prayer on my Prayer Request page. God bless you.
David
Nice work, Dave. Did you take the lighthouse picture?
Thanks Brent! Yes, we took the lighthouse pic. It is one of my favorites. It is Crisp Point LH along Lake Superior in Michigan’s UP.
So proud of you! Wonderful idea on how to share your faith!!
David this is a very good website. You have done a great job! I also agree with you and share your faith. This is a great encourment!
Very nice. I love how you explained and invite others. May God bless you and your family.
Lovely website! I am so glad I share your faith! Be encouraged in the Lord!
Thanks Norma. You are the first to comment on my site!!