So you’re a sinner…
Well… We can talk about the sin and the struggle. But first, let’s talk about the remedy.
Because that’s how God works when you’re ready to turn your will to His: He saves, then He sanctifies. And we should all be so humbled and grateful for His order. You will see that God operates in perfect truth and love if you’ll only pray that He opens your eyes to it.
God set the standard for what is good, Holy and true. His law and commandments are perfect, and when we fail to live in this perfection, we are in sin. Sin is what separates us from God – now and for all of eternity. We were all born into this world with a sin nature. None of us are perfect and none of us will ever be able to keep God’s law perfectly. We all sin.
The only way for sinners to be reconciled with God is by grace, through faith. And the method of atonement has always required sacrifice.
Under the Old Covenant, this was accomplished through the sacrifice of an unblemished animal; and the reconciliation was neither lasting, nor final. It was temporary and offerings had to be made consistently.
But as He said He would, God came down to earth wrapped in flesh as Jesus, the Messiah.
Jesus – the second Person of the Holy Trinity – lived a sinless life and led a perfect ministry. Jesus, unblemished, went to the cross to serve as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.
Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, placed in a tomb, and He was resurrected after three days. This was done for the forgiveness of sin for all those who would place their faith in Him; believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is only then that we are reconciled with the Father.
He created us all, but God’s children are those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites had to have faith that, through sacrifice, God would forgive them – we have to have faith that, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are forgiven.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of the truth: of Jesus, of Scripture and of sin. Once you realize the magnitude of your sin, you are to repent – meaning, you turn your will toward God. You realize the sacrifice and punishment that Jesus has made and experienced on your behalf. You realize that He’s saved you from having to spend eternity apart from God. Upon repenting, you need to confess to God that you accept and receive Jesus’ role as Lord and Savior over your life.
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Please understand that you will spend eternity somewhere. Either apart from God, in Hell – experiencing a portion of His wrath and judgment for every single solitary sin you’ve ever committed. Or you will be with God, in Heaven – completely forgiven, worshiping the Lord and living in perfect peace.
Once you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are saved and sealed. You are regenerated, transformed into a new creation and given a new heart. God will be sanctifying you, always; and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
You will still sin, but you will no longer be a slave to it. And every time you are convicted of the way in which you’ve fallen short, you’ll be led to immediately confess it to God, in prayer. If you truly understand this, and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior: nothing can snatch you from His hand and you will never lose your salvation.
If you’re unsure about where you stand, here is the litmus test: Do you really desire to love what God loves and hate what He hates? We are still human. We may have desires that are contradictory to God. But do you desire to know and love His will? Or are you dedicated to remaining in opposition to it?
You learn God’s will through reading and studying His word: the Bible.
Everything in Scripture should point to the Gospel.
Scripture is so deep, so promising and so perfect. But, it shouldn’t first point to your circumstance or hardship. Every single Biblical account should point to Jesus and the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross. Every Biblical account will either point forward to the cross (foreshadowing, prophesy) or reflect back on it (narration, evangelism).
So, you say you’re a sinner?
Salvation is ONLY found through Jesus Christ’s FINISHED work on the cross. Come to Him and let Him save you.
(Finished work, meaning: No other “god,” saint, sacrament, or reoccurring sacrifice. Please don’t be deceived. Keep your eyes on Jesus.)
Too long didn’t read? Know that God is concerned with you individually and He cares about you to your very core. Also know that God is fair and righteous and that He will judge every person and every sin. Finally, know that those covered by the perfect, Holy, unblemished, sacrificial Blood of Jesus Christ are completely forgiven for every transgression. This is God’s mercy. It is amazing and powerful. And we are so undeserving.
Lexzie in Christ 