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“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The scripture tells us that God has good plans and intentions for us. My question is—what is keeping us away from God? I believe the answer is SIN.

Sin Separates Us From God

The Bible tells us in the book of Romans, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

To sin means to miss the mark. The Bible declares in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We are unable to reach God’s perfect standard. Because God is perfect in holiness, we cannot dwell in His presence. Our sin has separated us from God.

God is righteous and full of justice. He has no choice but to judge the sins which man has committed. It’s impossible for Him to just overlook our sins because then He would have to deny His very nature.

Sin Must Be Paid For

One day all will have to stand before God, the righteous judge, and account for our sins. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

What is the price that we would have to pay for our sins on that day? Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages [or payment] of sin is death.” This death is eternal separation from God. Jesus said in Luke 13:5 that unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Yes, my friend, it is a terrible price to pay.

So then the question becomes—how can I be saved from the day of judgment? How can I receive eternal life so that I don’t perish in Hell?

Being a “Good Person” Isn’t Enough

Some people try to earn Heaven by their good deeds. But this is like trying to bribe a judge to overlook the fact that you are not guilty because of good works.  No amount of good deeds can get rid of the fact that you are a sinner, guilty of the crime of sin.

So then, if there is nothing that we can do to save ourselves, what hope is there of escaping hell? We know that “the wages of sin is death,” but the good news is that Romans 6:23 goes on to say, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Ephesians 2:8 says that it is by God’s grace that we can be saved through faith. Salvation is not earned by our own efforts and good works. It is a gift from God—a gift of grace. Grace is something that you don’t deserve but God is kind enough to give it to you anyway, and the gift of grace was His son Jesus.

Jesus Paid For Our Sin

Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay the punishment for our sins. He took our place. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus said in John 3:14-18, “...Even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The Bible declares that if we believe Christ died for us on the cross, we will be given Christ’s everlasting life.

When the angel Gabriel declared to Joseph the name of the child to be born to Mary, he declared Jesus’ very purpose for being born. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

You see, Jesus was born to save. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

My friend, there is salvation in no other, “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Jesus Is The Only Way To Heaven

Is there salvation in any other? No, my friend, there is no other way. Jesus said “I am the way” (John 14:6) because He is the only one who could bear the penalty for our sins on the cross.

Jesus is the one who paid the price—the price of death. He’s the one who endured the wrath of God in our place. However, death could not hold Jesus. God raised Him from the dead up on high to the right hand of the Father. Someday Jesus will return, not as Savior, but to judge the world.

My friend, will you be found guilty when you stand before God? There is only one way to get right with Him. You must accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

If you have never confessed Jesus as your Lord or called upon Him for salvation, He is inviting you to do so today. You can pray something similar to this:

My Father, I confess Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. Thank you for sending Him to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that you raised Him from the dead, and that He is coming back as King to judge the world. My Father, I repent of my sins—please forgive me. Come into my heart and give me everlasting life in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you decided to turn from your life of sin and follow Jesus the Messiah, you have become a child of God!

—Pastor Sylvester Elliott

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