For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.   Romans 3:23 (NIV)

 

What is sin?

Sin is sometimes described as “missing the mark”, not hitting the target that was aimed at, not reaching the goal. Jesus Himself taught that the goal was perfection when He said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

 

So, sin is any action, choice or even thought that falls short of absolute perfection. It can include:

What you do.

What you don’t do.

What you say.

What you think.

 

Sin also describes rebellion against God and God’s commands. For example, choosing to do what you want to do rather than obeying God’s instructions is sin.

 

Who has sinned?

The Bible says that everyone has sinned. 

 

Does that include you and me?

Yes, it does. Both you and I have sinned. Both you and I could rightfully be called “a sinner” — that is, someone who sins.

 

Not convinced that you are a sinner? 

Take this simple test based on the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

 

1. Has anything or anyone ever been more important to you than God?

2. Have you ever worshipped anyone or anything other than God?

3. Have you ever used the name of God as a curse or without respect?

4. Have your work or hobbies ever been more important to you than taking time to rest and spend time with God?

5. Have you ever disobeyed or failed to honor your parents?

6. Have you ever hated another person, or called someone a fool to hurt his or her feelings?

7. Have you even been sexually immoral, or had sexually immoral thoughts?

8. Have you ever stolen anything, including time or property, from another?

9. Have you ever lied?

10. Have you ever been greedy or wanted something that belonged to someone else?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have violated the commandments of God.

 

That means that you have sinned and you are a sinner.

 

OK, OK, so we’re “sinners”. No one’s perfect, right?

Right! That’s exactly what the Bible says! The Bibles says that all of us sin and all of us are sinners.

 

So, since we all sin anyway, what’s so bad about sin?

 

For the wages of sin is death...Romans 6:23a (NIV)

 

What is a wage?

A wage is payment that is deserved.

 

When you accept a job, you agree to work in exchange for a wage. After you’ve finished your job, you deserve the wage that you are paid. You’ve earned it.

 

What have you and I earned because of our sin?

Death.

 

Our sin has earned death.

 

Doesn’t everybody die sometime?

Yes, because of sin, everybody does die. But you are more than your body.

 

Sin also causes spiritual death — that is, the death of your spirit, the real “you”. Sin causes not only the death of your body in this life, but eternal death as well.

 

God created you and me to live with Him forever, but our sin causes eternal death. Instead of living with God forever, sin causes us to live apart from God forever.

 

Is there a solution to this problem?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

                                                                                                                                Romans 5:8 (NIV)

 

That’s you and me Christ died for.

 

He loved us while we were still sinners! We don’t somehow have to make ourselves “good enough” for God to love us. Even though we don’t deserve it, God loves us anyway. Christ died for us.

 

Jesus took the wage that you and I deserve because of our sin. We might say that He accepted the wage or penalty — death — that we deserve.

 

Why would He die for you and me?

Because He loves you, and He loves me.

 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 6:23 (NIV)

 

Why would God give you this gift?

Because He loves you! He loved you so much that Jesus Christ died for you!

 

What does this gift cost?

Nothing! God says that it is a gift. God paid for this gift by letting his Son, Jesus, die instead of you. It wouldn’t be a gift if you had to pay for it.

 

If God is willing to give you this gift, what should you do?

Gratefully accept it.

 

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.Romans 10:9 (NIV)

 

What does “saved” mean?

Being saved means being rescued from a perilous situation. You are in danger of receiving the wage (death) that you earned because of your sin. Jesus can save you from that danger. There will still be consequences of your sin, but when you are saved there is no longer eternal punishment because of your sin.

 

Is it good enough to just be “a good person?”

No. The Bible never says that you are saved by being a good person, by joining a church or by doing good deeds. In fact, the Bible directly tells us that we cannot be saved by our own good works (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Remember, the problem is sin. Just as a bad apple will spoil a whole bushel basket of apples, sin spoils everything. If you want to be “good enough”, then you must be perfect. And we’ve already seen that neither you nor I are perfect. So, the “just be a good person” option isn’t really an option at all.

 

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.1 Peter 5:5b (NIV)

 

Confessing Jesus as Lord means that you both believe that Jesus is God and that, because He is God, He has the right to guide and direct your life.

 

A proud man wants to be his own boss, but a humble man accepts direction. Be humble and accept His guidance and instructions.

 

Jesus did what we can’t do; He lived a perfect life. Because of His perfect life, His death is the perfect sacrifice. He paid your penalty for you.

 

What happens when you repent (turn) & follow God and His ways?

But you were washed, you were santified, you were justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

                                                           1 Corinthians 6:11

 

I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

                                                                                              Luke 15:10 (NIV)

 

Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NASB). If you have made a decision to believe in Jesus, then it’s important that you begin to learn more about Him by reading the Bible. You may want to start by reading the four books called the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

 

If you’re not yet convinced that you need to believe in Jesus and follow Him, you can learn more by reading the Bible. The book of John would be a good place to start!