King Jesus is coming back to set up His Kingdom and make a new heaven and a new Earth. Only perfect people will share in His eternal Kingdom.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. – Revelation 21:1-2, 27
The Problem: We are not perfect and judgment is coming.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:27-28
Some say “My good works will outweigh my bad”. However, God’s Word tells us:
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” – James 2:10
We are not “good” people:
“…as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” – Romans 3:10-12
We won’t stand before God and enter heaven based on our own “good works”:
“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. – Isaiah 64:6
It is by the law that we realize our need for God:
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” – Romans 3:20
Perhaps you will say “But, I’ve never done anything really bad. For example, I haven’t murdered anyone or cheated on my spouse.”
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” – Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:27-28
Perhaps you will say “But all people sin. For instance, all people have told at least one lie. That’s not that bad!” God’s standards are not our standards. In the end, only His standard will matter and He will even punish a lie:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!” – Psalm 50:21-22
******************************************
You may say “God is a forgiving God. He’ll just forgive me.” What would you think of an earthly judge who just forgave a criminal who had killed your family? Would you call that judge “good”? No! You would demand justice! God is forgiving, but He is also just.
Therefore, there must be a penalty for our sin debt.
There is GOOD NEWS!
The Good News (“Gospel” means “good news”) is that God can be both just and forgiving in Christ:
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it– the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. – Romans 3:21-26
What must I do to be saved?
- Just believe in God? The demons believe in the existence of God and they are not saved from the wrath of God: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder!”- James 2:19
- Understand Who Christ is. He is the Almighty God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:1, 14
- Trust in Christ, in His death and resurrection, in His righteousness. Don’t just believe in His existence. Repent (turn from sins) and believe (trust in Christ). “…but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3
- Believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins in His own body. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Repent of your sins and trust in Christ.
Please do not delay!
“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
*******************************************
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. If I can’t answer your question, I’ll do my best to find someone who can!
I am praying diligently for all who read these words. You are loved and I want the very, very best for you. I want your eternal soul to prosper both now and always. May the Lord draw you to Himself.