GOOD NEWS
Have you ever been given wrong directions? Don’t you hate that? I’ve been told that in Romania, it is considered a sign of weakness not to know the answer to a question. An American visiting Romania found out the hard way that if you ask a Romanian for directions, he will give you an answer…even if he has no idea how to get to your destination.
I wonder—is it possible that you have been given wrong directions to Heaven? Do you ever find it scary how different people, including leadership in churches will greatly differ on how a person can have their sins forgiven, have a relationship with God, and have a home in Heaven? With so many people giving different directions, how can you know for certain what is the correct way to have your sins forgiven?
The answer is simple: God’s Word, the Bible has the answer to finding God’s directions to having your sins forgiven and having a home in Heaven. It does not matter what a denominational creed says, nor what a preacher, priest, pope, or pastor says. You need to ask yourself, “How does the Bible say that I can have my sins forgiven and have a home in Heaven?”
1.
REALIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM
The Bible says, “There is none that doeth good and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Though you may think of yourself as a good person, the Bible says that you are a sinner. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s Word sets the standard for what is right and wrong, and God calls our disobedience to the commands of His Word sin.
2.
REALIZE THERE IS A PENALTY
The Bible says, “There is none that doeth good and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Though you may think of yourself as a good person, the Bible says that you are a sinner. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s Word sets the standard for what is right and wrong, and God calls our disobedience to the commands of His Word sin.
3.
REALIZE THERE IS A PAYMENT
Good news! The penalty of eternal death that you and I should have to pay in Hell forever has already been paid! Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the death penalty that you and I should have to pay for our sins forever in Hell. Jesus’ payment on the cross is the only sufficient payment for your sins. In other words, your good works cannot pay for your sins. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5). If you have been depending on some other source to pay for your sins, it’s time to put your full dependence on Jesus Christ alone to pay for your sins!
4.
REALIZE YOU NEED TO PRAY
Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If today you have accepted in your heart that Jesus’ payment on the cross is sufficient alone to pay for your sins, then tell the Lord! Romans 10:13 says “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Today, as best as you know how, and out of a heart of sincerity, cry out in prayer to God! Tell Him that you believe now that you are a sinner, that you know you deserve the penalty of eternal death, that you are depending on Jesus’ death on the cross to be your all-sufficient payment for your sin, and that you want Him to forgive your sins today. John 3:16 says, “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.”
Friend, if you prayed today and asked Jesus to save you from your sin, tell us! We would love to rejoice with you and help you with the next steps in your new life as a Christian!