Are You a Good Person?

If I were to ask you "Do you consider yourself to be a good person?", what would your answer be? Chances are you would say yes...and in today's world of moral relativism it's easy to understand why. Let's start by putting it to the test..."Are YOU a good person?"...

The Bible provides us with 10 Moral Absolutes known as the 10 Commandments. Scripture points out that all will be judged by the Law so let's see how you fare.

Have you ever told a lie? (Even a little white lie....ever? Even as a child?) If you are being honest with yourself the answer would be yes.

Since you've told a lie, what does that make you? (Killing someone makes you a murderer, so...) A Liar.

Have you ever stolen something? (Even something small as a child?) Again, the answer will most probably be yes.

What does that make you? That's right, a thief!

Have you ever committed adultery? Before you answer, you must know that Christ said:

Mat 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY';
Mat 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

...have you ever done that? Again, the most probable answer is again yes. So that would make you an adulterer.

This should be an easy one then....have you ever killed/murdered someone? No? Again, before you answer you must know that Christ said:

Mat 5:21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
Mat 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

WOW!! Did you see that?? Christ equates getting angry with murder! Again, it starts with the heart...so....have you ever done that?? Again, chances are you answered yes. That would make you a murderer.

So basically looking at only four of the Ten Commandments you see something now that is very clear...you are a lying, thief, and an adulterer and murderer at heart!! At some point you are going to stand before a Holy God for judgment and you will be judged in the same manner, but EVERY LITTLE DETAIL of your life will be reviewed....every thought, feeling, action from birth to death...

Knowing all of that do you feel you would be guilty or innocent with your final eternal destination hell or heaven respectively? I'll give you a hint....it's not heaven. You see, you yourself discovered you have broken four of the ten laws by which you will be judged and there is only one verdict in that final courtroom for ANY lawbreaker even to the minutest degree...GUILTY!! There is nothing you can do whatsoever of your own accord to save yourself...from yourself. You can't pay the fine.

BUT...

Here's the good news...someone has already paid the fines for your sins. If you accept Him and the work He accomplished on the Cross then your sins will be forgiven and you will be washed clean from them. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and was crucified as the ultimate sacrifice for mankind for the forgiveness of their sins...the trick is to accept it. Place your faith in Him.

Looking back at what we've discussed you must remember that we chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.

The Bible says...

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is a gap between man and God, a rift caused by our own rebellious nature. People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...some teach that your salvation is based on works or gifts or the biggest whopper lie of them all...."by leading a good life"...

The Bible says...

Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

No bridge built upon man's method, madness or wisdom reaches God...there is only one way to cross that gap between man and God!!
 

That is through Jesus Christ who died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says...

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
 

That choice is that we must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says...

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Where are you?

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? You've seen the need as you now know you are guilty before God and need forgiveness and salvation from the wrath to come.

Here is how you can receive Christ:

1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4.Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

How to Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Assurance: His Word

If you prayed this prayer,

The Bible says...

Romans 10:13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?

Ephesians 2:8,9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the "new birth."

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:

1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.