Each one of us is born with a void in our life. We attempt to fill this void with many things, people and experiences. But no matter how hard we try, there is a space in our soul that is longing for both significance and security. We try to fill this void with possessions, success, relationships, religion, drugs and other like passions, we find ourselves falling short from satisfying this emptiness. And you know why?
Because only Jesus can fill it… Sin is the fundamental problem
Sin is derived from the Greek work hamartia, which is to “miss the mark.” Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No matter how good we are, because of sin, we fall short to Gods Righteous standard, which is perfection.
Sin is inevitable: David, the Psalmist quotes in Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” From the time we are conceived, we are plagued with this destructive cancer called sin. In other words, from the time you are born, you are already missing the mark.
Sin results in death:Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. ” This is the case because in the beginning, sin came in to existence with Adams deliberate actions of rebellion towards God.
Sin has Consequences:Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death” A wage is something you get paid; our sin will pay us with eternal death in the end. The biblical meaning of ‘death’ isn’t talking about our physical bodies expiring; it means we will be eternally separated from God and sentenced to an eternal life time of hell because we will be “paying” for the sins we committed against God.
The Remedy of Sin
Jesus as a sacrifice. The issue is quite simple to be resolved. God requires a sufficient payment to be made which is both sinless and eternal. To do this, God sent his only begotten Son, who was in the beginning, to make this payment.
Romans 6-11 “For when we were yet without strength (sinful), in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
The Solution
Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Accepting God’s offer requires a few of things..
1. Repent of your sins: The word repent means to change your direction. The Bible tells us, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). God commands us to repent. You must be willing to turn away from the things that God hates. 2. Accept Jesus as Lord: Many of us want help, in this case, a savior from our sins. But many of us don’t want the requirements to be saved, which is making Jesus your Lord. It is impossible to be saved without enthroning Jesus and making him the Lord of your life. 3. Receive Jesus as your Lord: Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved”. You have to receive the Lord as he is, the Lord of Lords and the Kings of Kings. Intellectually agreeing that Jesus is Lord is not enough, you must agree and surrender to Jesus and make Him your Lord so that He can indeed save you from your sins.
After the Big Decision
As a new believer there are a few steps to follow that will help you in your walk with God (Acts 2:42). First, Study the Bible; learn more about God and His Word. Secondly, pray; talk with God about your life, struggles and triumphs. Thirdly, connect; find a place to worship; team up and fellowship with other Christians. Remember your Savior’s sacrifice and commune (break bread).
