Thousand Oaks Baptist Church
HEART TO HEART
There seems to be a lot of confusion over the word “sin.” Some think it is a moral error for which we can excuse our behavior and go on. Others don’t even believe that sin (which is disobedience to the commandments of God) is relevant for today.
I don’t know what your feeling about sin is, or for that matter, what your concept of God is. The Bible teaches that God is Holy. He is without sin, without error, and without moral failings. He created man in a probationary state and commanded him against disobeying God’s Word. That disobedience is sin, and the penalty for sin was death (Genesis 2:17). However, the first man Adam, following the leading of his wife, disobeyed God’s word and as a result they lost their innocence. They received a curse and were cast out of the Garden of Eden with the loss of eternal life (Genesis 37). Thereafter, the children born to them and every child born from that time forward has been born with a sin nature affecting his intellect, sensibilities, and will.
God declares “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Sin is a reality. It is not an illusion. It carries a great penalty.
“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23a. By death we do not mean cessation of life, but eternal destruction. Revelation 20:11-15
This seems like a pretty dark, morose situation. But I count it a privilege to give you some very good news:
THERE IS HOPE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!
Romans 5:8 tells us that Christ died in our place.
John 3:16 tells us that if we believe (trust) in Jesus Christ we can be saved from the penalty of sin.
Acts 4:10-12 tells us there is only one way that we can be saved.
Acts 3:11 tells us we must repent (turn away) from sin.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us what we must do to receive eternal life.
John 1:12 tells us that receiving (trusting) Christ makes us a part of God’s family.
Therefore, if you will right now acknowledge your sin, confess it to God in prayer, ask God to forgive you, realize that only Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient payment for your sin, and put your complete trust in Him to save you, you will be saved.
And if you are willing to do the above, then I John 5:13 will immediately become a reality in your life:
“These things have I written unto you that believe in the name of the Son of God: that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
...and you will have taken the first steps in the most exciting life you can ever have.
But there are many more steps in living the Christian life. We would love to hear about your decision and help you grow in this new life. We're looking forward to hearing from you.
If you would like to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, and you desire help in doing so, please click here to email Pastor Sjoerdsma with your desire. He will contact you as soon as possible. If you would like him to call you, please include your phone number in your email.
All quotations are from the Authorized King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible
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