Would you consider yourself to be a good person?
Have you ever told a lie?
We all have. I know what it makes me, but what does it make you? Hint: It starts with an “L”
Have you ever stolen anything?
I have. Perhaps you haven't, but if you are like me, what does that make us?
Have you ever looked with lust?
Oh, I know what you are thinking. Its only human, right. Well it is, but Jesus said, “Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart.”
That makes me an Adulter. How about you?
O.K., what's my point?
I don't know about you, but I have looked at only three of the Ten Commandments and have broken everyone. This is not to mention that I think I am a pretty good person when in truth, I am not. This is called self-righteousness.
What does this have to do with anything?
Lets look at the bigger picture. It will only take a few moments...
God put Adam and Eve here on this Earth in a perfect setting with immortal bodies. They were given just on command, "Do not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil " (Genesis chapt.'s 1-4) They couldn't keep that commandment and did eat of the forbidden tree. They became mortal and corrupted, prone to disease and sickness. You see, when we become sick, when babies are deformed, when children die of diseases, when hundreds die of cancer and AID's -- it is not God's fault, He has nothing to do with it. Adam and Eve sinned and brought all this on us. It was not God's will. The Garden of Eden was His will. Fellowship with His creation was his will.
God still loved His creation and set down Ten Commandments for them, us, to live by so that we could have fellowship with Him. Idiots that we are, we couldn't and still can't abide by these simple rules.
When we break these commandments, we sin. When we lie, we sin. When we fornicate, we sin. When we steal, we sin. Without forgiveness (remission) of sin, we cannot go to heaven. Hebrews 9:27 tells us "It is appointed upon man once to die and then comes judgment." We will all answer to God for our sins. Those found guilty will end up in Hell. Its real, that's why the plan of salvation is so important.
As is Jewish custom, each family gave an offering (generally a spotless calf or sheep) once a year to cover their sins. Only blood can cleanse sins - it is the ultimate sacrifice.
God had a better plan, a divine plan, the ultimate plan. He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to be born of a virgin, to teach, to heal, to raise the dead, only to be betrayed by His own people and put to Death. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was scourged and crucified. He was placed in a tomb and God ressurected (raised from the dead) Him on the third day.
This was and is the plan of salvation. Whoever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and truly repents of their sins WILL receive forgiveness and WILL have everlasting life in Heaven.
Please make sure things are right between you and God. That is all that matters in the end. Not what others think, not what they say or think about you, but how YOU stand with God. I came close to being killed this fall at the age of 31. Very close.
I have known kids and teenagers who died. None of us are promised another breath. No person knows the day and hour of their own death. We just have to make sure we are ready when that time arrives.
ARE YOU READY?