All people have sinned

Admitting that we have sinned against a holy God does not come natural to us. However, scripture is clear that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23). Think of the Ten Commandments. How have you measured up to God’s standard? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever taken something that didn’t belong to you? Have you ever had a lustful thought? Scripture teaches that if we have broken one command, we have broken them all like a link in a chain and God will hold us accountable.

The truth is that you were born in sin and (like a virus) carry the same sinful nature as Adam (Psalm 51:5). Even worse is that you have committed sins of your own doing. “Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 53:3). By nature, you carry out your own desires and do what is in your heart. Yet, scripture tells us that because of our sin, our heart deceives us and is desperately sick (Jer 17:9). Even our very “best” work is worthless before God because we are contaminated by our sinful desires. Imagine having dirty, muddy hands and attempting to clean your hands without soap and water. You would be unable to get clean and everything you touch, no matter your best intentions would be dirty. This is your position before God; a slave to sin and eternally separated from God.

The penalty for our sin is death

“But God loves us all and surely being a good person is all that matters, right?” Certainly God loves us all. However, His deep love for us is just as deep as His righteousness. If God is a totally righteous and perfect judge, then His righteousness demands that sin is punished (Jer 9:24). Would we call a judge in a courtroom “fair” if he turned a blind eye to someone who broke the law? Of course not! How much more will God, who is a perfect judge, ignore your sinfulness?

In the eyes of God, you would legally be declared guilty. According to Romans 6:23, the “wages of sin is death” and in the final judgment, you would experience God’s wrath in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15). Scripture teaches that when you break God’s law, blood must be shed for the forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22). Your blood cannot be offered because it is tainted with sin and no amount of work or “good” living can pay the cost for your sins.

How can you find everlasting life?

Although God’s wrath is always just, His love for mankind is far beyond our comprehension. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (Jn 3:16–17) Jesus came as God and man to live the sinless life that you couldn’t. Jesus offered up His life to pay the price for your sin. Yes, “the wages of sin is death...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Rom 6:23) The work of Christ is a gift! You did not earn it. You do not deserve it. Yet, He exchanged His righteousness for your sinfulness. Through Christ we are declared legally not guilty.

So, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9). God will declare you righteous through the work of His Son and you will not be condemned. “The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:1–2)