Are You a Good Person?

  

 Do you consider yourself to be a good person?

Most people do.  But what does it mean to be "good?”  The Bible says that God is good and that His standard for defining “good” is His law, the Ten Commandments. 

  

So, let’s look at God's Law from Exodus 20 with a tender conscience. Ask yourself if you have obeyed the following:

 

  1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Have you always loved God above all else?)
  2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (Have you made a god  in your mind that you're more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself?
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Have you ever used God's Holy Name without the respect that it deserves?)
  4. Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.
  5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
  6. Thou shalt not kill. (God considers hatred to be equal with murder. Matthew 5:21-22)
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Includes looking upon someone with lust, and sex before marriage. Matthew 5:27-28)
  8. Thou shalt not steal. (The value of the item is irrelevant.)
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. (Have you lied even once?)
  10. Thou shalt not covet. (Have you ever jealously desired what belongs to others?)

 

How did you measure up?  

  

The real question is, When you stand before God on the day of Judgment, will you be innocent or guilty?

  

No doubt, if judged by God’s law, you will be found guilty.  In fact, the Bible says “there is none that doeth good…for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:12-23)

  

Do you realize that you are a sinner?

  

The Bible says that, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27).  And, God “…will by no means clear the guilty.” (Exodus 34:7).  Even now, the wrath of God abides on the guilty. (John 3:36)

 

 Did you know that God made a way for you to be forgiven?

  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

  

“But God commendeth {showed} his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

  

God showed his love to you by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners like us.  He was sinless -- He never disobeyed God’s laws, and didn’t have to die, but He loved you so much that He willingly gave His life and died on the cross to pay the price for your sin.  

  

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

  

Jesus died in your place and paid the price for your sin with His blood.  Three days later He arose, proving that everything that He had claimed was true.  

  

  

Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sin?

  

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

  

Salvation is a gift.  It is not earned nor is it a reward for good works.  What we have earned is not salvation, but death.

  

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

  

Salvation is possible because Jesus died on the cross to take our sin and give us his “goodness” in exchange. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

On judgment day, you will be found innocent or guilty.  There will be no scales to weigh your good works; good works do not pay for sin.  It is only Jesus’ death and resurrection that can pay your debt.  (Acts 4:12)

  

 What must I do to receive the gift of salvation?

  

“…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)

You must repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ.

  

Repentance is to change your mind and agree with God about your sin and how to be saved.  

  

It means that you no longer trust in your good works, church membership, baptism, or any other “good work” in order to be saved.  The Bible says that salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by good works.

  

What have you been depending on to get you to heaven?

  

Repentance is turning from your own way and trusting exclusively in Jesus Christ, and nothing else. It means you are willing to acknowledge, confess, and forsake your sin.

  

Faith is simply depending on Jesus alone.  It is transferring your trust from self-effort and good works to trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

  

If you are ready to do that, the Bible says:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

 

Do you believe that repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to be forgiven?

  

 Would you like to receive Jesus as your Savior today?

  

You can confess to him if you truly believe in your heart. Pray something like this:

  

"Dear God,

Today I turn away from all of my sins. I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe He died for my sins and rose again from the dead. He is the only way for me to be saved. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Please forgive me, change my heart, and grant me Your gift of everlasting life.

  

Thank you Lord.  Amen.”  

  

If you have just received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, we would love to hear from you and help you learn more about your Savior and the Bible.

  

The next step in this new life is to get a Bible, read it every day, obey what it says, and get involved in a local church.

  

If you made a decision to recieve Christ at Lord and Saviour we would like to hear from you, Click Here.
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