A Blessed Hope
The truth of the matter is, the law was not designed to make someone righteous. In fact, there is no law that can save. Instead, the law
reveals to us that we have all sinned. Not one person has kept God's law. It only takes one sin to become a law breaker, and once one
has broken the law he or she cannot redeem themselves.
Romans 3:10 states, "There is none righteous, no not one" (KJV). In fact, according to Romans 3:23"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." At this point you may ask, what is sin. Sin is disobedience to God's instruction and command. As God has created the heavens, earth, and the hosts therein as people we are accountable to Him.
Romans 6:23 states "For the wages of sin is death." In other words, the penalty of sin is death. The death penalty is not merely the decaying of the physical body, but rather it is eternal separation from God. God is Holy and God is Just; therefore, He must punish sin. The Bible teaches that hell is a place of everlasting punishment, where the fire is not quenched and worm never dies.
No, we cannot save ourselves. However, there is one that did pay the punishment of death so that we do not have too. Imagine standing in a court room guilty before the judge. You have been charged with a high crime and the evidence is stacked against you. Not only does everyone in the room know you are guilty, you know you are guilty. You plead to the judge to let you go, promising you will live the straight and narrow. However, the justice of the law is to be fulfilled and the judge pronounces your sentence. Just as the officer of the court gets ready to escort you to your prison sentence, a man walks in the room who you do not know. He says, "I will pay the fine for you." All you have to do is accept the payment.
When we have broken God's law, we stand guilty before a holy God. We can promise to be good and ask for forgiveness, but we are short of God's glory. Our righteousness is but a filthy rag in the sight of God, and we are not able to pay the penalty for our Sin that God demands. But, Jesus stepped into the courtroom for you. He died in your place at Calvary. He has payed your penalty for sin, all you have to do is accept it.
Romans 5 teaches that God commended his love towards us, that in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.
Sure, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God has commanded that all men and women repent and turn to Him. Repentance is the act of turning away and choosing a different path. Rather than a life of sin and darkness, turning to a life of light and love. Sure, we do not understand everything, but a willing heart to learn is all that God will need. All you have to do is accept that free gift of life, and make Jesus Lord of your life.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jeremy Highlander at nbcsandusky@bex.net