Finally, we’ve made it to the last post. This could be the most important post of your life if you take heed to what is being said. It is my prayer that those of you who don’t know Christ or have made a false profession, would turn your heart and mind over to what is being said here.
Do you believe yourself to be a good person? Yeah. Just about everyone does. What we like to do is compare ourselves to people that we consider to be bad and justify our goodness that way, don’t we? Like Hitler. All I ask is that you be honest with yourself today. Listen to your conscience.
Again I ask, do you consider yourself to be a good person? It only takes one sin to be a sinner. Have you sinned before? There is nothing you can do to take it back once you committed it. It’s like murdering someone. Can you restore this life you just took? No. You can apologize to the family. You can feel bad about, but not only can you not bring them back, there is also punishment for the act that you have committed. It’s the same with God. Let’s see where you stand against the 10 Commandments, God’s moral Law.
1.’You shall have no other gods before Me.’ Is God 1st in your life?
2. ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol.’ What is your 1st priority in your life?
3. ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.’ This is called blasphemy. You substitute God’s Holy Name for a four letter filth word.
4. ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ Do you keep it holy?
5. ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ Have you always honored your mother or father?
6. ‘You shall not murder.’ Here’s the catch. In Matthew 5 Jesus says” It has been said of old thou shall not murder, but I say unto you if you even have hatred in your heart against your brother, he is a murderer.
7. ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ In Matthew 5 Jesus says” It has been said of old thou shall not commit adultery, but I say unto you if you look with lust you’ve committed adultery in your heart.
8. ‘You shall not steal.’ Have you ever stolen anything, value makes no difference?
9. ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’ Have you ever told a lie?
10. ‘You shall not covet.’ Have you ever wanted anything that anyone else has had?
How many of you have broke these? Everyone has right? So by our admission, we are lying, stealing, blasphemous, adulterers at heart and we have to face God on judgment day. Hebrews 9:27 declares: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Statistically 10 out of 10 people die. Do you think by God’s standard you would be innocent or guilty? Guilty, right? Do you think that God will send you to heaven or hell? You will go to hell, right? Does that concern you?
This is how it works. Think about a court of law. Let’s say a man murders your child. You would want revenge right? You would want justice served, right? Now this man is standing before the judge with this mound of evidence piled against them. Murder. He has confessed. There is no way out. He is helpless before him. What if he tells the judge, “But judge, I’m really a good person! I’m sorry!” Then the judge says, “You know, because I’m a good person, I’m going to let you go.” How would that make you feel? No justice and this guy says he’s a good judge? A good judge will bring justice. Now, your standing before God on judgment day. Would a Just and Holy judge let you go? No. You will get what you deserve. What we deserve is hell.
Most of us know John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall have eternal life.” But you have probably never heard the two verses that follow this one: “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.” We are all condemned to hell already.
In Matthew 7:21-23 Christ paints a picture of them that think their works will suffice. He says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
So as He says, people will see Him face to face in judgment and they will try to justify themselves by their works. You already know the outcome. An eternal sentence in hell.
Do you know what God did for you so that you do not have to go to hell? Christ died for your sin. He died in your place on the cross, taking your sin with it. He was then buried and three days later, rose again, conquering death and the grave! This is victory! That is the love of God. The truth of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christ said this in John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” What love that God would come down from heaven, take on the flesh and die in our place. Now that is amazing!
Now, let me bring to life for you. We have just seen that your works will not suffice. Your works will not get you favor with God. Now let’s go back to the courtroom. The gavel comes down. Bang! GUILTY! You are sentence to eternal death in hell. Then, a man walks in that you don’t know and says, “Judge, I’ll pay the penalty of his/her crime.” Then the judge says, “Why? You did nothing wrong to deserve this punishment? But if he/she will accept your gift, then I’ll accept this payment for his/her penalty.” Now it’s up to you. Would you turn down this gift? Only a fool would right? Will you accept this gift? It is called grace. The way you accept it is to repent, turn from your sin and place your faith in Christ and Him alone. Then he will look at you and say, “You may go.” And you get to walk out of this courtroom with no cost to you. This is what Christ did for you upon the cross. When you repent, that means to turn from your sin, and place your trust in Him, Christ steps in between and says, “Father, I paid his fine.” Then God the Father will say, “You’re free to go.”
Do you now think your a good person? Repent, turn from your sin, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Place your trust in Him is like a skydiver places his trust in his parachute. You see, as the skydiver is falling, he is totally dependent upon that parachute. His life is in the hands of the parachute. Everything he has and is is now in the hands of the parachute. This is the type of faith we are to have in Christ for salvation. He wants all of you, not just some of you. Your life depends on it. Place your life in His hands. Your works are as filthy rags to Him. You need Christ. I beg you, plead with you, do not die in your sin. Hell is a terrible place. God has just given you the keys to overcome it. I pray that you will use them. Do not delay, for today is the day of salvation, today is the appointed time.
