The most important question that you will ever be asked is "When I stand before God after I die, will I be found innocent or guilty?"
Your relationship to Jesus Christ is central to the answer to this question. Jesus tells us in John chapter three "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, 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." You can know today that your sins have been forgiven and that you can spend eternity with Jesus.
Recognize Your Condition.
Romans 5:12 teaches us that every person has broken God's law. God gives us His law, the Ten Commandments, in the book of Exodus. In the Ten Commandments God tells us not to lie. If you have ever told someone something that was not true, you have broken God's ninth commandment. God also command us not to steal. If you have ever taken anything from another person without their permission, regardless of its value, you have broken the eighth commandment. In Matthew 5:22 Jesus teaches us that if we are ever angry at another person without a just cause, we are guilty of breaking the sixth commandment: "Thou shalt not kill."
If you are honest with yourself, you have broken each of these commandments. You are a law breaker. In the American judicial system, if you break the law, penalties are the result. In Romans 6:23 the Bible tells us that the penalty for breaking God's law is death and eternal separation from God.
If you are honest with yourself, you have broken each of these commandments. You are a law breaker. In the American judicial system, if you break the law, penalties are the result. In Romans 6:23 the Bible tells us that the penalty for breaking God's law is death and eternal separation from God.
Religion and Good Works are Not the Answer.
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Maybe you think that if you live a good life and do good things, that your good works might be enough to tip the scale and God will allow you into Heaven.
In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “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.” In other words, our thoughts and works do not matter. God’s Word provides true answers of grace and forgiveness.
In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “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.” In other words, our thoughts and works do not matter. God’s Word provides true answers of grace and forgiveness.
The Good News: Jesus Christ Provides the Way!
Even though we are lost and separated from God, He loves us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the cross and rise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus Christ lived a perfect life which means that He did not break even a single law of God. By not breaking God's law, Jesus did not earn the penalty of sin. Jesus did not deserve to die.
However, Jesus chose to die. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the payment for our sin. We do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
However, Jesus chose to die. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the payment for our sin. We do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Your Decision: Believe and Trust Jesus Christ.
If you try to stand before God in judgment by yourself, as a law breaker, you will be found guilty, and you will be separated from God forever in a place called Hell. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers the free gift of eternal life to anyone who trusts in Him to forgive their sin. John 3:15 says "That whosoever believeth [trusts] in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Not only does God forgive the sins of those who trust in Christ, He credits the righteousness of Christ to them as well. When a person who has trusted Christ stands before God in judgment, they will be declared righteous and allowed to spend eternity with God, not based on their own righteousness, but because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
You have the opportunity to choose to believe and follow whatever you would like, but every decision has consequences. If you choose another way other than Christ, you will stand guilty before God, but if you choose to trust Christ, God will forgive your sin and grant you a home with Him for eternity. God loves you and has provided the way for your sins to be forgiven.
What will you choose?
You have the opportunity to choose to believe and follow whatever you would like, but every decision has consequences. If you choose another way other than Christ, you will stand guilty before God, but if you choose to trust Christ, God will forgive your sin and grant you a home with Him for eternity. God loves you and has provided the way for your sins to be forgiven.
What will you choose?