EVERYONE IS A SINNER

We are sinners by nature and our sin separates us from God. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and we have all inherited our sin nature from them. The fact that all have sinned demonstrates that we are sinners by nature. Adam and Eve had one command and failed to keep it, and when we fail to obey God, we likewise are proving that it is impossible for us to become perfectly sinless in our own power.

Our sin may seem like a small thing to us, but in the eyes of a holy God, it is another matter. “The Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9). The Bible says that God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil,” (Habakkuk 1:13). We are so imperfect and sinful that even when we try to do good works, we fail to please God. In God’s sight “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). This means that no matter how good we are, we fall short of the standard of perfection, God Himself. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).

SIN HAS A PENALTY

The worst news for us is that sin keeps people out of heaven. Revelation 21:27 is speaking of heaven when it says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” Even one lie would keep us from entering heaven.

Not being able to go to heaven is only part of the punishment for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). A wage is what we receive for our work that we have accomplished. We are all guilty of sin, and we all will receive its wages. The death that is mentioned here is more than just a physical death. It is speaking of a spiritual death, an eternal death in hell. “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).

What sins could send a person to hell? “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). One sin would be enough to send us to hell, even the sin of lying.

JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR OUR SINS

There is nothing that we can do on our own to correct our sinful condition. We would have remained hopelessly lost forever, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins.

Jesus Christ was God and became a man to live among us and die for us. The Scriptures clearly teach “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15). Jesus was born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life, He died willingly for us on the cross, and He rose again to prove that He has the power to forgive our sins and give us eternal life. “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” (John 3:16).

WE MUST ACCEPT GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life is God’s gift to us, and it was paid for by Jesus Christ when He died for us on the cross. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). How can we receive this gift? We must believe. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). It is in believing on Christ that we receive God’s gift of eternal life. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (I John 5:11-13).

Salvation is not church membership. It is not good works. We cannot add baptism, the sacraments, confirmation, or any other good work to Christ’s finished work on the cross. “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 cannot be saved by works. Salvation IS when one says, “I realize that none of these things can save me—but only Jesus can save me—and I take Him—and only Him—to be my personal Saviour.”

Do you want to receive God’s gift of eternal life? You can if you believe that Christ died to pay for your sins and you are willing to ask Him to save you. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

If you believe that Jesus died for you and you are willing to trust in Him—and only in Him—for salvation, then why not pray and ask Him to save you? You could pray something like this:

Dear God, I know that I have sinned against you and I deserve to pay for my own sins by going to hell. But I know that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe that He paid for all my sin and that He rose again and lives in Heaven. I now accept your gift of eternal life. I am trusting Jesus and His payment for my sin to take me to heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me.

If you are putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour today, please let us know by sending us an e-mail. We want to rejoice with you about this wonderful decision!