1. All of mankind are sinners from birth.
- No parents find it necessary to instruct their children how to misbehave, rebel, lie and so on. It comes naturally.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
1 John 1:8.
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."
Romans 3:10-11.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Jeremiah 17:9.
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning."
1 John 3:8.
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Romans 6:16.
2. So what?
- After we leave this life we rest in the grave awaiting resurrection. Sin makes one ineligible to live with God so, by default, the natural man will be condemned in the judgment to the lake of fire for the ages of the ages.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Romans 3:23.
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2.
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Revelation 21:1 and
Revelation 21:27.
",,,it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
Hebrews 9:27.
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night to the ages of the ages."
Revelation 20:10.
"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."
Revelation 21:8.
So,
you think life is tough now, imagine what it will be for those who are condemned to spend the ages of the ages in the lake of fire.
Is it possible to escape the results of sin?
3. No man can save himself by doing good deeds.
- Sin leaves a permanent stain. Mere cessation from sin does not erase the stain which has already been acquired.
"For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 2:16.
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.".
James 2:10.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 14:12.
4. Only Jesus Christ can wash away our sin and make us pure.
- Jesus Christ, the son of God, loves us and stands as our substitute, taking the penalty of our sins upon himself so that we may be made righteous before God.
"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.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6.
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2 Corinthians 5:21.
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,"
1 Peter 3:18.
"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Revelation 1:5-6.
Illustration: If a person is being swept away in a flood and a helicopter appears overhead trailing a rope, the wise instinct is to grab the rope. If the person chooses to ignore the rope he disregards his opportunity for rescue.
So it is with our eternal salvation. Jesus Christ gave his life for us to purchase our redemption from sin. He rose again and offers eternal life to all who believe in him and commit themselves to him. Although available to all, salvation is not automatic. We must choose to receive Jesus' gift.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 6:23.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:6.
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:12-13.
5. How to receive the salvation which Jesus offers us.
God knows our very thoughts so we can speak to him anywhere, anytime. If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died for your sins and offers salvation to you, you may pray right now and ask him to forgive your sins and give you new life.
If you are a little uncertain regarding what to say, here is a template which you may follow.
Dear Jesus,
- I realize that I am a sinner and in need of your mercy. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died for me as my substitute so that through you I might have forgiveness of sin. I believe that you rose again and at this moment are in Heaven waiting to make intercession for me with the Father. I wish to commit myself to you and to receive the salvation which you purchased for me. Please forgive me for my sins and grant me eternal life. Thank you.
Now, contact your pastor or trusted Christian friend and tell him or her about the wonderful decision you have made. The Bible tells us that you have been born again spiritually and, as a newborn baby, you will need spiritual nourishment in order to grow.
John 3:5-7,
1 Peter 2:2.
Your pastor or friend will be a great help to you.