Are You
Good Enough?
Have you ever told a lie? (white lies, and fibs count)
Have you ever stolen anything? (no matter how small, or how long ago)
Have you ever looked upon someone with lustful thoughts?
Have you ever used “God”, “Jesus”, or “Christ” as a swear word or a curse word (like, “Oh my G-d!”)
Have you gone to church every week? EVERY week?
Have you given to charity regularly?
Have you coveted after the things in another person’s life?
Based on your answers, do you consider yourself good enough to go to heaven when you die? Most everyone is able to show they are good in some areas. You probably are a pretty good person in most people’s eyes, but what about in God’s sight?
God gave us a list of absolute laws in
Exodus 20:1-17 defining forever what is right and wrong for everybody! It is
called God’s Ten Commandments. They prove every one of us are sinners – every
one of us break God’s Laws! Even if you are not a murderer, or a thief, you
still are a sinner if you do ANY wrong at all. James 2:9,10 says that if we
break ANY of God’s Laws, it is as if we have broken ALL of them at once! So,
anyone who sins at all, is a sinner in God’s eyes. Let’s take the test a little
further - ask yourself, “Can I honestly say…”
I have NEVER made anything in my life more important than loving and obeying God (yep, that’s the first commandment)!
I have NEVER bowed down to a statue or a picture
I have NEVER used God’s (or Jesus’) name flippantly
I have NEVER worked on the Sabbath
I have NEVER dishonoured or disobeyed my parents
I have NEVER killed anybody (or hated them)
I have NEVER committed adultery (or lusted for them in my heart)
I have NEVER stolen ANYTHING, … EVER
I have NEVER told a lie
I have NEVER coveted anything, but ALWAYS been satisfied with what God gave me and what I worked for
It’s obvious no one has ever kept all of those commandments!
Now do you think you would go to Heaven when you die? While you may hope God's goodness will cause Him to overlook your sins, God says the opposite is actually true. Sinful acts deserve justice. What we “sow” is what we are going to “reap” (Galatians 6:7).
Since God is so good He will make sure that every murderer, every rapist and every thief receives justice. But He won't stop there. He will also make sure every liar, blasphemer, and adulterer also is punished. And we at heart know that this is right for Him to do. Our problem is that the Bible is very clear that the place of punishment for those who sin is Hell. God says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).
Does the fact you're headed for Hell concern you? It should! Jesus said Hell is so horrible that you would be better off tearing out your own eyes than ending up there for all eternity (Mark 9:43-48).
Whether you admit it or not, we are all sinners, separated from God by our mountain of sins! “For All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. And there’s no escaping it—our sin is killing us! “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23
“But God commendeth (extended) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Did you get that? Jesus died in your place not because you were a good person, but because you were a sinner who will perish without His intervention!
To save you from an eternity in Hell God
sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross -- suffering the punishment that
God’s justice demands. Then Jesus rose again from the grave, forever defeating
death! The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have
everlasting life." (John 3:16).
Eternal life is a GIFT! “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. But it is only obtained by asking Jesus to do all the saving of your soul. Stop trying to be good, and just accept by faith what Jesus offers even YOU!
You have an important choice to make today – you can either hope for the best, OR turn to Jesus Christ Himself, trusting in HIM alone for the forgiveness of your sins! He died to save you from a real place called HELL! Ask Him in prayer to save you right now!
Only Jesus came, died on the cross, was buried, and three days later rose again — to bring something called salvation to anyone who would just call on Him to save them!
God says He will forgive all your sins and give you the priceless gift of everlasting life if you will simply repent (that means to confess and forsake your sins) and put your trust in Jesus alone. Only then you will not have to suffer God's judgment in Hell because the full payment for your crimes was made by Jesus on the cross. For God, it cost everything. For us, it is all free! Ephesians 2:8,9, says it is impossible for any sinner to save themselves from the penalty of their sin through good works! “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.” Notice that you can’t work at being good enough - your best religious efforts will fall short.
When you realize you’re a sinner in desperate need of Jesus, then are you ready to be saved from Hell. Cry out to that name in prayer right now, ask to be forgiven of all your sins, and accept the gift of eternal life He offers you. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Don't be so proud you would miss this opportunity. Hell is full of good people who were too proud to do what needed to be done, right away! If you're not sure what to pray, use this as an example: "Dear God, I do repent of all my sins, such as (name some of them). I put now my trust in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of my soul. Please forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life like you promised in Your Bible. I ask this In Jesus' precious name. Amen."
Now, write us or phone us and let us help you grow as a believer!
Any questions? Need more help?
Want a free New Testament, or Bible Study? Please contact:
Bible Baptist Church
of Ballincollig
Sunday Meetings at 10.30am and 7pm in the Westgate Foundation
Tel: (021) 4871234 E-Mail: biblebc@gmail.com Web:
www.biblebc.com
Post: 29 Westcourt Heights, Ballincollig, Cork