The Test

Question#1 – Have you always loved God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength?  Yes/No   Does a hobby, an athlete, a person, a job, or any other thing receive more of your attention than God does?

Question#2 - Have you made “your own god”, one to suit yourself?  Yes/No  If you have, God is a jealous God and will not let this action go unpunished. 

Question#3 - Have you ever used the Lord’s name in a bad or even a joking way?  Yes/No

If so, the Lord will not hold you guiltless on the day of judgement.

Question#4 - Have you been faithful to take a day every week to worship God?   Yes/No

If not, you have broken the fourth commandment.

Question#5 - Have you always honored your father and your mother?  Yes/No

Have you talked back to them or brought shame to them in other ways?

Question#6 - Have you ever killed a person?  Yes/No

You might say no, but Jesus said if you ever hated someone in your heart, it is the same thing.

Question#8 - Have you ever stolen?  Yes/No  The value is irrelevant.

Question#9 - Have you ever lied or made false statements about another person?  Yes/No   This is called bearing false witness and is a violation of the ninth commandment.

Question#10 – Have you ever wanted anything that belonged to somebody else?  Yes/No     This could include a house, a neighbor’s wife, or anything else that   another person has.

If you will tell the truth, you know your answers were not good ones to these questions.  You know that there are many ways in which you have broken these laws that God has set called the “Ten Commandments.” (Exodus Chapter 20) 

        Our Guilt            

The problem is now that you realize this, it makes you guilty before God.  In fact, the Bible says in James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”  In other words, if you are just guilty of breaking one of God’s laws, you are guilty on every count. 

 

You see, my friend, the Bible says in Romans 3:10, “There is none righteous, no not one.”  And then again in verse 12, “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Friend, you know that is true.  Your own heart, only moments before, would have led you to believe that you were fine and that you were a good person.  But, you know now that this is not the case.  You have been found guilty of sin before a Holy God!

Our Punishment

 

Now you are asking, “If I am guilty before God, what is my punishment?”  The Bible says the punishment for your sin is death, not a physical death, but a spiritual death which happens after you leave this world.  The Bible says in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the 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.” 

 

I Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 

 

A perfect and holy God will only hand out a perfect and deserving punishment for sin, and that punishment is all eternity in Hell and the lake of fire for those that are guilty of sin.  And we all are guilty!

The Answer To Your Need

                              

The great thing about God though, friend, is that He knew we would all sin and be in need of a Savior.  Nothing with sin can enter into Heaven and because we are all sinners, God made a way to take away our sin and make us righteous so that we could enter into Heaven.  He sent His only perfect and Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sin.  Jesus lived a life without sin.  (II Corinthians 5:21)  Because Jesus was without sin, He was the only one that could pay for our sin.  God said the punishment for our sin was death. (Romans 6:23)  If Jesus was going to pay for our sin, He would have to die. 

  

Isaiah 53 tells us about His death.  “But he (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities……All we (you and I) like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all…….Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: ….”  God made his (Jesus) soul to be an offering for sin and God saw the travail of His (Jesus) soul and was satisfied.  The perfect Son of God gave His life on the cross so that we, through His taking our punishment, might have peace with His Heavenly Father.

 

The Bible says that repentance (a complete reversal of one’s attitude and values which lead to a change of actions, a turning toward God) and faith (a personal depending on the finished work of Christ’s sacrifice as the only basis for forgiveness of sin) are necessary for you to escape the wrath of God. (Acts 20:21)  Do you understand the fact that your sin has separated you from God?  Your sin is an offense to a holy God, and He will never let you into Heaven with it.  Your sin must be dealt with! 

 

Are you willing to forsake your sin and trust what Jesus did on the cross as full and final payment for every sin you have ever committed or ever will commit?  Do you recognize the fact that you are sinful and that your only hope is Jesus and what He did to pay for your sins?  Your prayers can’t save you.  Your baptism can’t save you.  Your church membership can’t save you.  Communion can’t save you.  Forget all of your arguments.  Only your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ taking your sin and making it His very own at the cross can settle your sin debt once and for all.  Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”  Jesus took your sin punishment, conquered death, and rose again to set you free from the penalty and power of sin through your faith in Him.  (I Corinthians 15)

 

It’s Your Choice - Jesus Is Your Help!

 

The Bible says in Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”  The Bible says in John 1:12 “But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

There is nothing you can do, neighbor, except to recognize your sinful condition, turn to Jesus Christ in faith, and accept His death, burial, and resurrection as payment for your sin.  The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.”  

 

A Prayer

 

If you understand the previous material and God is speaking to your heart, then perhaps now is the time to give your heart and life to Jesus Christ.  Find a quiet place, kneel in prayer and perhaps make your hearts prayer something like the following.

 

“Dear Jesus.  I know I have sinned.  I know I have broken your commandments and I am sorry.  But, while I have sinned, I also believe that you died on the cross and that you rose from the grave three days later to pay for my sins.  Right now, as best I know how, I turn from my sins and give my life to you.  Come into my heart and be my Savior and my Lord.  In Jesus name – Amen.”

 

Dear friend, if you prayed that prayer and have trusted Jesus as your Savior please let us know.  We want to rejoice with you and help you get started with the greatest new life you could ever have.  If you didn’t pray but just have questions about all of this, then please let us help you with answers from the Bible.  We care and it would be our privilege.

 

Go to the Contact Page and email us, call, or write and let us know how we can be a blessing to you in any way.

 

Need Help? Jesus in the answer!

 

Sincerely,

Your Friend,

 

Pastor Rick Groover