Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Are You A "Good Person?"

Today I'm studying through Romans 3:1-20, and I still have the sermon from this past Sunday going through my mind. Pastor Terry preached from John 14:6, stressing that though many people have their "opinions" about who will spend eternity in Heaven, the Bible stresses over and over that there is only one way...through Jesus Christ!

I have had the opportunity to talk with many individuals about God's purpose for this world and for each of us individually, and I have listened to so many people share with me that they believe that they will indeed be in Heaven for eternity because they have lived a "good life," and they are a "good person." The conversation very often leads to the statement: "I believe in God!" Friends, one of my favorite verses in the Bible is James 2:19, which says that "You believe there is one God. You do well. But even the demons believe and tremble! NKJV" Yes, Satan believes in God and has stood before Him and spoken with Him. So, will Satan be in Heaven? Absolutely not! His future lies in an eternal separation from God, along with all others who do not "call on the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13"

Here, in Romans 3, Paul quotes from several of the Psalms, all of which drive home the point that "there is none righteous, not even one...! Romans 3:10" We are all born with a desire to please ourselves. We all naturally put ourselves first. But God has planted within us another desire...to put the One who created us first. Which desire are you fulfilling in your life? It's not about following a set of rules or the Ten Commandments (we have ALL broken many of these!), but it's about realizing that even those Ten point out the knowledge of the sin in our lives. With this knowledge that we are ALL sinners, the response should be, "how do I get this sin taken care of, or paid for?" That's where Jesus and His work on the cross comes in. Even though He was without sin, He took on all the sin of the world and offered His death and resurrection (a victory over death and sin) as a complete payment for us. The offer is on the table, and now it is up to each of us to accept this offer for the payment of our sins.

Many who read this will call me "narrow minded," which is fine (and, I guess, true!). But, if you are willing to trust the Bible, God's Word given for those who want to follow Him, there is no way around this most important decision each of us will ever make. Have you decided whom you will follow?

Until next time...have a blessed day!
PJ

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You would probably like Way of the Master Radio.com. This is their recurring evangelism approach. Most people compare themselves to other people not to God's perfect standard.