Why I’m a Guilty Sinner and Needed Forgiveness

Today I want to express how grateful and thankful I am for my Salvation.

So, why would I even NEED salvation? 

After all, I don’t consider myself that “bad of a sinner“…

I haven’t robbed any banks or committed any murders or stole my best friend’s husband.

In fact, I’ve never smoked, nor tasted a drop of alcohol, nor even cursed in my life…

I stood at the marriage altar in purity… but still I am a sinner and was a sinner in great need of Salvation.

You see, I can’t keep the whole law…

God knows I’m not able to do so.

The Ten Commandments are like a mirror…it shows us our flaws and shortcomings.

There’s not one human being on the face of this earth that can keep the law to perfection.

Reality… God’s Holy Word says we’re all sinners.

Everyone has failed to keep The Ten Commandments.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

What is SIN anyway? 

It’s ANYTHING we do that displeases God.

It takes just ONE sin to become a sinner.

Are YOU a sinner?  Let’s consider this…

Everyone at one time has told a lie.  Most of us have to admit that we’re a thief…perhaps you snatched a piece of candy that didn’t belong to you.  Most of us have to admit we’ve lusted after someone.  Have you ever put something in priority before God? Have you ever had a bad thought? Have you ever been envious of what someone else has?

The fact is, we CAN’T keep the Ten Commandments, we’re sinners.  Plain and simple.  Nothing to argue there.

If we’re guilty of sin, we can’t enter into the Holy Presence of God in Heaven.

But there’s HOPE!  Great News…

I’ve obtained “Salvation” through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

When I speak of “Salvation,” I’m referring to being saved from God’s wrath and eternal punishment because there is a price for our sin.

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

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15

*If you’d like to read more about Hell –the “eternal punishment,” visit this church’s website which offers a deeper discussion on the topic: http://www.believethebible.org/eternal-punishment/

I’m thankful to Jesus Christ who paid the price for my sin so that I could FREELY obtain salvation and escape the eternal punishment, my due justice for sin.

I’ve been purchased and bought with a price — I’ve been redeemed through Jesus’ blood that He shed on the cross for me.

The death of Jesus was cruel beyond imagination…

He paid our penalty of sin…because He Loves YOU and me!

Jesus was beaten, flesh being ripped off his back, spat upon, a crown of thorns forced upon His head, hands and feet nailed to a cross. He was hung on the cross to die in shame.  It’s evident that His love for you and me surpasses any human being’s love here on earth…

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:5

“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

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”   I Peter 2:24

Let it be known that Jesus willingly laid down His life for YOU! 

The cruel death was something He could have escaped from. He loved you enough to GIVE His life for you!

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”  Matthew 26:3

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”  John 10:18

By the way, Jesus did NOT STAY dead…He is God in the flesh and rose from the dead three days later…

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Romans 6:9

*If you’d like to read more about Jesus’ Resurrection, then visit this site, “Evidence for the Resurrection.“

Salvation can NOT be earned…

What if I could get myself to Heaven?  It’s not possible because I can’t keep the law, but if I did, I’d be boasting and not giving God glory and honor as I should.  You have to realize that you can’t earn your way to Heaven by good works or perfect church attendance.

Again, as stated in John 3:16 above, Jesus paid the price for us.  By faith, we accept His gift of salvation.  We trust Jesus to get us to Heaven.

“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

Why I can’t depend on any priest to obtain Salvation…

Once Jesus offered up Himself as our Ultimate sacrifice, He became our High Priest.  We no longer have to go to any priest to sacrifice the blood of animals for our sins as was done in the Old Testament.  We go to Jesus only for forgiveness of sin and accept His redemption.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

Hebrews 10:10-12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” ~ Acts 4:12

So, exactly HOW does one receive Salvation?

This is the EASIEST part of all.  It’s a “Gift“…and you don’t even have to pay for it!  You just receive it.

“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.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“

Romans 10: 9-13

All you need to do right now is believe on the Lord Jesus.  Bow your head to pray… Confess that you’re a sinner in need of Jesus’ free gift of salvation.  It doesn’t matter what sin you’ve committed or what race you are…He died and paid the price for your sin.  Please, please accept Him today.  Accept Him right now before it’s too late.  We really don’t know when our last day here on earth will be!

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This Weeks Memory Verse:

“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” ~ Psalms 111:9

Reference Words:

• Redeem – To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.  To set free; rescue or ransom.
• Covenant – A binding agreement; a compact.
• Reverence – A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.

*Originally posted September  1, 2013