Do you consider yourself a good person?
You may be saying to yourself “I'm a pretty good person. Why wouldn't God allow me to go to Heaven? Hell is just for the really bad people. You know: murderers, rapists, and people like that.”
I would like to ask you just 4 questions to see if you are a good person.
Question 1
Have you ever lied? Even “a little white lie?” What does that make you?
A liar. (9th Commandment)
Question 2
Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours (regardless of value)?
If yes, then what does that make you? A thief. (6th Commandment)
Question 3
Have you ever used God's name in vain? Ever said God _ _ _ _ ? God calls that blasphemy. (3rd Commandment)
Question 4
Have you ever looked at another person with lust? If you are like most people, the answer is yes. Jesus said that if you look with lust, you have committed adultery with that person in your heart. (7th Commandment)
By using God's 10 commandments (if you answered yes to all four) then you admitted that you a liar, a thief, a blasphemer, and an adulterer at heart.
Are you guilty or innocent? Where do you think you would go? Heaven? Hell? In short, you are guilty of breaking God's law and you are in danger of God's judgment. And God's judgment for sin is death and hell. Does this concern you?
Jesus came to earth to die in your place. He died on an old rugged cross for you and me. He took our punishment.
He said in Revelation 21:8 that, “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. “
He also said in James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” I can try to keep all the 10 commandments, but if I break one then I am guilty of breaking them all. Remember those 4 questions? If you said yes to one, then you are guilty of breaking them all.
God tells us, “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) About our good works, God says in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [our good works] are as filthy rags.”
So, there's the bad news. You are a sinner, guilty of breaking God's law; and you are in danger of His judgment, which is death and hell. And there is no way you can make the payment on your own. Does that concern you?
If I was to stand before God and explain that I really am a good person and this is why God should let me into heaven. “Honestly, Lord, I did try to live a good life.” Would God be a just and a Holy God if He let me in heaven?
Imagine with me a court room scenario for a moment. Let's say you stole a car and have been convicted of grand theft auto. You are standing before a judge awaiting your punishment. You begin to apologize to the judge for stealing the car and promise the judge if he lets you off you will never steal again. After all, you are a good person. Would that judge be a good judge by letting you off? Or would he be a good judge by following through with your sentence? He would be a good judge by sentencing you. The crime has to be paid for. Justice demands it.
The judge sentenced you to 15 years in prison. Out of the blue someone you don't even know steps into the courtroom and says, “Your honor, I will go to prison for this person.” The judge accepts the payment and let you go. Why? Justice was served - the penalty was paid.
That's what God did for you over 2,000 years ago when He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross. He did not die on the cross to pay for some sin He committed. He died on the cross to pay YOUR SIN DEBT, so you could go free. Pretty amazing! But in order for the payment to be applied towards your account you must accept the payment.
Let's go back to the court room one last time. The stranger walks in and announces that he wishes to take your place. If you tell the judge that you wish to pay your own penalty and that you don't want this stranger going to prison for you, then the stranger cannot pay your fine. YOU MUST ACCEPT THIS STRANGER'S GIFT ON YOUR BEHALF OR THE GIFT WILL DO YOU NO GOOD.
Jesus' death on the cross does you no good unless you accept His payment for your sin.
How can I accept His payment?
You do this by:
1. Realize you have sinned against God. (Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23)
2. Understand there is a payment for sin - death and hell. (Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:14)
3. Admit that without accepting God's gift (Jesus' payment for your sin), that you will go to Hell
4. Pray directly to God and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, accept His gift of salvation and completely put your trust in Jesus alone to save you. (Romans 10:13)
If you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, please contact us. We would love to know.
