Almost Everyone Thinks...

“I am a good person.” But the question you should be asking is, “Am I good enough to go to Heaven?”

How would you know?

The way to find out is to ask yourself if you have obeyed the Ten Commandments.
Most people say, “Well, I’ve broken one or two, but nothing too serious, like murder.” So let’s go through them and see how you do.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
Have you always put God first in your life? Jesus said to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Have you ever failed to put Him first in your life?

2. You shall not make for yourself any idol.
Who is God to you? Is He only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into hell? If that’s your god, then you’re right. Your god couldn’t cast anyone into hell because he doesn’t exist. You’ve created a god in your own mind that makes you comfortable. You may call it your “personal belief,” but God calls it idolatry and the Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

3. You shall not take the name of God in vain.
Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? If you have, you’ve taken the holy name of God – who gave you your life, your family, and everything precious to you – and used it as a filthy, four-letter word. If you’ve used God’s holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer. The Bible says God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
God commands we set aside one day in seven. Have you ever been guilty of breaking this Commandment?

5. Honor your father and your mother.
Have you always honored your parents in a way that’s pleasing in the sight of God? Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. You may have forgotten them, but God hasn’t.

6. You shall not murder.
Jesus warned, “Whoever is angry with his brother without cause is in danger of judgment” (Matthew 5:22) and the Bible says, “He who hates his brother is a murderer”
(1 John 3:15). God sees hatred in the heart to be as wicked as murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.
Jesus warned, “You have heard…‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Have you ever looked at another person with lust? The Bible says adulterers and fornicators (those who have had sex before marriage) will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

8. You shall not steal.
Have you ever stolen anything (even something small)? Have you ever taken anything that belonged to someone else (from the office, school, parents)? If you have, that makes you a thief.

9. You shall not lie.
Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar. How many murders do you have to commit to be a murderer? Just one. If you have told even one lie, that makes you a liar. The Bible warns that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Revelations 21:8).

10. You shall not covet.
This means we should never desire anything that belongs to another person. Not their house…car…money…wife…lifestyle, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Who of us can say we are not guilty of breaking these Commandments?

This is what the Bible means when it says, “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Can you see your predicament? You are guilty of sinning against God Himself and, because you have a conscience (con-with, science-knowledge), you have sinned “with knowledge.”

Isn’t it true every time you lied, stole, or lusted, you knew it was wrong?

Does the fact you have sinned against God scare you? It should.

You have actually angered Him by your sin.

The Bible says His wrath abides on you; you are an enemy of God in your mind through wicked works.

Perhaps you think God is good, and because of His goodness He will overlook your sins.

But if you know of a human judge who turned a blind eye to the crimes of a guilty rapist, would you describe him as a “good” judge?

No. That would be a “corrupt” judge.

God could never be a corrupt judge.

He will punish all the rapists, murderers, and thieves…but He won’t stop there.
He’ll also punish all liars, the lustful, adulterers, idolaters, and blasphemers.

God doesn’t want you to perish. He is rich in mercy and compassion and has provided a way for you to be forgiven. He has invited you to come to Him for a full pardon and receive the free gift of eternal life. You cannot earn it and you do not deserve it, but God is offering it to you as proof of His love for you.

Imagine you are standing in front of a judge, guilty of multiple serious crimes. All the evidence has been presented, and there is no doubt about your guilt. Your apologies and good works cannot erase your crimes; therefore, you must be punished. The fine for your crime is $250,000 or imprisonment, but you don’t have a cent. The judge is about to pass sentence when someone you don’t even know steps in and pays your fine! The court accepts the money and declares that you are free to go. The law has been satisfied, your debt has been paid, and the stranger’s sacrifice was a demonstration of his love for you. That’s what God did for you 2000 years ago.

The Bible says the God of the universe became a man (Jesus Christ) and suffered and died on the cross for your sins and mine so we could be set free. It is as simple as this – we broke the law and Jesus paid our fine

“God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).

Do you see God’s great love for you? Do you see your need for His forgiveness? Do what He commands. “Repent…that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). You must turn away from sin and turn to God. Desire to have NOTHING to do with sin, and surrender your life to the One who can save you. Jesus died to set you free, then He rose from death to be your Lord. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). If you’ll confess and forsake your sins (repent) and trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, God will forgive you and you will pass from death to life.

What does it mean to “put your faith in Jesus Christ?” It means to trust in Jesus the same way you would trust in a parachute if you had to jump 25,000 feet out of an airplane. You wouldn’t just “believe” in the parachute; you would put it on! In the same way, the Bible says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” and you will be saved. Please do not put it off until later. You may die today and then it will be too late. You may not yet have all the answers to your questions. Better to put on the parachute first, then ask questions, than to pass through the door (of death) unprepared, grasping for the parachute when it is too late. You can pray something like this…

“Dear God, today I turn from all my sins (name them), and I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me, and grant me your gift of everlasting life. Amen.”

There is nothing magical about these words – it is the attitude of your heart God cares about.

© The Way of The Master

If you have prayed this prayer or have any questions, please contact us:

LightStream
c/o Peoples Church
7172 N. Cedar Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720 USA

or rholck@peopleschurch.org