Alright, I’m just going to get this out of the way upfront. My title is a bit strange and there’s a good reason. I went to a blog title generator site and that last line was a recommended title. Yes, for real. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, I used it. It made me laugh if I’m being honest. And I’m hoping it made you laugh. Maybe that’s part of the reason you clicked on the post. I don’t know, but it’s a true title either way. There will not be any cussing or swearing as I explain the preceding question (“Why Jesus?”). I’m glad we can get beyond all of that now.
I’m a Christian. I wasn’t always, though. There was even a time when I thought I was, but I didn’t have a true understanding of what it meant. That changed a little over 11 years ago when I heard the gospel preached in a way that I understood, and God simultaneously used that moment to convict me and draw me near to Him. I suddenly saw my own depravity as it was and realized that without God, I was headed to hell. He knew when that moment would be in my life, and He patiently waited while leading others around me to plant seed after seed through their words and actions. I hope I can plant some seeds in your life right now. Please read this post with an open mind to what I’m saying, and willingness to be honest with yourself.
Have you ever given thought to the idea of an afterlife? There are a lot of opinions floating around out there about what happens after we die. But like many other big issues in life, this most important issue does have an objective truth that isn’t merely based on our subjective preferences. We can opt to undergo a series of procedures and change our gender identity or choose to strap on a parachute to defy gravity for a short time, but ultimately there is still an objective truth found in our biology and a law of gravity that is always at play. We can deny that morals are objective and say that it may be okay for some lies or some theft depending on circumstances, even that it may be okay to murder under certain circumstances (abortion?). However, if we are the ones being lied to or stolen from or murdered, no matter the circumstance, we suddenly see more sense in the objective standard of truth. After all, nobody wants to be lied to, nobody wants to be stolen from, and certainly, nobody wants to have their life taken. These are just a few examples of why and how subjectivity fails in matters where an objective truth is already at play. We objectively know right from wrong.
"Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right." Romans 2:14-15
If we are completely honest, we can evaluate our lives and see that not only have we been on the receiving end of some of these moral failures, but we’ve also been on the offending end. I have yet to meet a person who hasn’t ever told a lie, stolen something (whether big or small), disobeyed their parents, gossiped, cheated or had lustful thoughts, hated or been jealous of someone, the list could go on and on. Just looking at those handful of morals, we’ve hit on 5 of the 10 commandments. These are called the moral law, and this is what the Bible says God will judge us on. Take a minute to look back over them… be honest with yourself. How many have you broken? Jesus, in the New Testament, expounds on them and says that if we have looked with lust, we’ve committed adultery in our heart. And if we’ve hated another person, we’ve committed murder in our heart. (See Matthew 5)
If God judges you based on those laws, will you be innocent or guilty? In case you’re tempted to say something like, “Yeah, but I’ve done all these good works in my life that outweigh the bad things I’ve done.” I want you to think about a court of law and a judge on the bench hearing your case. You’ve very clearly broken one or multiple laws. Will the judge decide you shouldn’t receive a penalty based on other (or more recent) good behavior? No! He’ll tell you that you should be a better person, and he’ll still find you guilty and throw you in jail. As he should. You earned it. Yikes.
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." Romans 3:19-20
If we draw the parallel to judgement day before God’s court, that’s a sobering thought because if you’re found guilty in front of God, will you go to heaven or hell? Let me answer for you: the answer is hell. Your good works won’t outweigh your bad and it doesn’t matter how far in the past your sins are, changes in your behavior can’t exonerate you. There’s nothing you can do to save yourself. How do I know? The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). That means God is paying us in death for what we’ve done to sin against Him and His law. He’s giving us what we’ve earned, like the judge would in our court case. Why? Because God is holy, meaning He is perfect and sinless. Unless we are perfect and sinless, we cannot enter His presence or eternal Kingdom. But we aren’t. None are, and all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Left to our own devices, we are hopeless and destined for hell.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
You’re reading this and if you know anything about the word “gospel”, you’re thinking, “I thought it meant ‘good news’. What’s so good about this??!” I’m glad you thought to ask… even if you didn’t until I did! I have the answer. You might, too, if you understand it. Jesus (the son of God and the third person of the triune Godhead) came to earth as a man and died on the cross for our sins. (John 3:16)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
But how does that work? Why did that have to happen? As I already showed you, we’ve all broken God’s law. None of us measure up so none of us have earned heaven. But God came as a man and paid the price for our sins. If you are standing in court before the judge and someone comes in and pays your fines for you, the judge can legally let you go free and dismiss your case. That’s what happened when Jesus died on the cross. We broke God’s law and Jesus paid the price so that we can go free and have eternal life. It’s the most beautiful and unfair exchange in history.
What do we have to do to receive this exchange? If we honestly repent for our sins (meaning that we’re truly sorry for them and intentionally turn away from doing them) and trust in Jesus for our salvation (meaning we understand, believe and trust that He died to save our eternal life), God will forgive us and grant us eternal salvation. There isn’t a magical sinner’s prayer that will save you, just like your own good works can’t save you. It’s a heart change. If you’re truly sorry for your sins and want to change your ways, but recognize that you can’t and only God can, and out of gratitude and a humble heart, you choose to believe and have trust in Jesus, then you will be saved.
I hope I explained this well and it’s understandable. I didn’t come up with the analogies or format for this. I borrowed it from Ray Comfort of Living Waters ministry because it’s the best way of explaining the gospel that I’ve ever heard presented. It’s uncomfortable in the beginning, but it’s so important that you understand what’s wrong with you before you can grasp what the “cure” is. So many are unwilling to honestly evaluate the sinful nature of humanity. We have to, though, if we want to understand why the only way for God to save humanity was to come and die in our place. Jesus, as a holy God and sinless man, took our earned wages upon Himself on the cross. When He said, “it is finished” just before He died, He had taken the full wrath of God on Himself, and our debt was paid in full.
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:36
A couple of last thoughts. I truly hope and pray that this is something you will take into serious consideration. This is, without contest, the single most important decision of your life. If you read all the way through this post and you are wanting to repent of your sins and trust Jesus with your life, please reach out to me or another Christian in your life who can pray with you. Also, I encourage you to find a solid church in your area right away to get connected to and begin reading the Bible. The book of John and the book of Proverbs are two great places to start. If you don’t already have a Bible, Bible Gateway is a free online Bible that has links to numerous commentaries that can help you understand when you have questions. These few simple steps are practical ways to help you begin to walk out your newfound faith with God. Below is a list of church finder sites that can help you find a good, biblical church in your area.
- https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/churches/
- https://www.9marks.org/church-search/
- https://www.acts29.com/find-churches/
- https://founders.org/church-search/
- https://www.tms.edu/find-a-church/
- http://graceadvance.org/
TransformerGirl Blog 
Thanks for sharing your wisdom my friend. It’s a great piece.
God bless you always
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Thanks Trent!
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