To determine that we need a guide. Let’s let the guide of all guides, the Ten Commandments check us out.
One of the Ten Commandments is “Thou shalt not lie.” Have you ever told a lie? Well then you are guilty of breaking God’s law.
Another one is “Thou shalt not steal.” Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small? You are guilty again of breaking God’s law.
Another one is “Thou shalt not kill.” You say, “Now wait a minute. I know I have never done that one!” Have you ever hated anyone? Then the Bible says you are a murderer. John 3:15 “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” You are guilty again of breaking God’s law!
James 2:10 tells us, “That whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Still think you are a good person? The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.“ Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
Here is something very important to remember: God cannot forgive you just because He wants to! Let me explain: Every good and righteous judge in our courtrooms cannot let a thief and a murderer go free. He has no choice but to bring forth judgment upon the guilty. The Bible says that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” The price for sin must be paid. The law has to be fulfilled.
God, who is a good and righteous judge, has found us guilty of breaking His law. Romans 1:20-21 says, “…so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” We are without excuse. We are guilty before God. We must suffer the penalty for sin, for breaking God’s laws. The punishment is everlasting separation from God and torment in the Lake of Fire!
You might say, “My good deeds outweigh my bad. Doesn’t that count with God?” That’s like telling a judge, “I only robbed one bank judge. There are more banks I didn’t rob than those that I did. Doesn‘t that count for something?” Sorry, you are a bank robber if you only rob one bank. Therefore, you are a sinner if you only commit one sin.
God cannot forgive sinners unless someone pays the sin debt, the price for sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. So God did something unheard of. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Christ died, and paid our sin debt. Why did He do that? “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.”
You might say, “I don’t believe it’s going to be that way. My god would not condemn anyone. God is all good and loves us.” Well, the god you describe is not the God of the Bible. God is all good and does love us, but He is also righteous and just. Even though He is not willing that anyone should perish, many will perish because they have made the choice to reject God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Did you know that there won’t be any good people in heaven? Only saved sinners will be in heaven! You can only be in heaven by accepting Christ’s payment for your sin debt. If you have never done so, ask God to forgive you right now and trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Watch sermons and read sermon texts and other articles by going to tomahawkmbc.com. Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons on WSIP FM 98.9 every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Watch Facebook live by going to Jack Ward’s page at 11:25 a.m. and 6:10 p.m. every Sunday.