I’ve always thought of myself as a good person.
I’m usually kind to others. I certainly haven’t murdered anyone or done some of those awful things you read about people doing in newspaper stories or hear about on the evening news. I tell the truth. Well, most of the time. I’m not a deadbeat dad. I go to church regularly – I even give a fair amount of money to charity. I’m hardworking and dependable. I try to do the right thing when I know what that is.
But I suppose I have to admit that I’m not perfect.
How about you? Are you perfect?
Ever told a lie? Ever lose your temper for selfish reasons? Ever decided to stay on the sidelines and relax when there was someone who could have used your help? Ever hated somebody?
Yes – if we are honest, we would all have to admit that as good as we might be, we aren’t perfect. The Bible agrees with that: Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God, on the other hand, IS perfect in every way. He loves perfectly, and He also is perfectly just. And justice requires the penalty of death for sin. The Bible says it this way: “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a) Each one of us deserves spiritual death for each sin that we’ve committed, regardless of any good that we might have done. In other words, we don’t get to weigh out the good and bad we’ve done and see which one wins out.
But because He loves us, God made a way. Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life and died on a cross. Because Christ was perfect, God counted his death as the penalty for all of our sins. Not only that, but those who accept Christ’s sacrifice are seen by God as being without sin just like Christ. We are able to have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Amazingly, this is a free gift to everyone. If you believe that Jesus died for you and trust in Him rather than your own good works to get right with God and make a decision to let Christ be the authority of your life, you can be forgiven for your sin and restored to a right relationship with God.
If you are more of a visual person, take three minutes and check out this explanation of how God solves the brokenness of our lives.
(From NeedHim.org)If you feel Him calling you then you can meet Jesus right now through prayer. There is no single prayer you must pray to become a Christian, no magic formula, but the following words are one way to trust Christ as Lord. If you will pray them with the sincere commitment of your heart and life, you will know Jesus personally and live for him as your Lord.
Dear God,
Thank you for loving me. Thank you that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and failures. I admit to you that I am a sinner, that I need you to save me. I ask you to forgive me for my sins. I turn from them now. I invite Jesus into my life as my Savior and Lord. I turn my life over to him. I will live for him as long as I live. Thank you for giving me eternal life and making me the child of God. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
If you just prayed this prayer for the first time, please tell someone about your decision. (I would love it if you told me by emailing me!) Christianity cannot be lived alone. Share your new faith with someone you trust, and with a church where you can grow in your commitment to Christ.
For more information, visit one of these websites: