Thousands of years ago a man named "Job" asked, "How can a man be righteous before God?" (Job 9:2).
Have you ever considered this question? What do you think a person must do to be in right relationship with God?
EXPLANATION:
No. 1 - The Bible says: "No one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what the law commands. For the more we know of God's laws, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying them; His laws serve only to make us see that we are sinners" (Rom. 3:20, LB).
No. 2 & 3 - The Bible says: "No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right; not one" (Rom. 3:12, LB).
No. 4 - The Bible says: "He saved us - not because we were good enough to be saved, but because of His kindness and pity - by washing away our sins" (Titus 3:5, LB).
No. 5 - Giving mental assent about God or some facts about Jesus cannot save you. The Bible says: "You believe in the one God - that is creditable enough, but demons have the same belief, and they tremble with fear" (Jas. 2:19, JB).
No. 6, 7 & 8 - The Bible says: "There was a man...named Cornelius...He was a religious man; he and his whole family worshiped God. He did much to help the Jewish poor people, and was constantly praying to God" (Acts 10:1-2, TEV). As he fasted an Angel said to him, "Find Simon Peter! He will tell you how you and all your household can be saved!" (Acts 11:13-14, LB). The point is that Cornelius prayed, fasted, gave to the poor and believed in God but was not "saved."
No. 9, 10 & 11 - Sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car. Sitting in a church doesn't make you a Christian. The Bible says: "If by grace, then is it no more of works" (Rom. 11:6). You can't be good enough to earn a right relationship with God!
You see, the real problem is that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and not one of your righteous deeds could remove your sins.
God determined that the just punishment for sin would be ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM HIM. This separation is also referred to as "death." "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:4). "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (the words of Jesus, Mt. 7:23). "It will be their punishment to be lost eternally, excluded from the presence of the Lord..." (2 Th. 1:9, JB).
Because of God's great love for us He devised a plan. This plan was to place the death penalty for sin upon His Son, Jesus Christ. That's why Christ suffered & died - - it was for OUR sins.
Now that the wages of OUR sins have been paid for by Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will repent & believe upon Him. "I have had one message for Jews and Gentiles alike - the necessity of turning from sin to God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21, LB). "Believe in and on the Lord Jesus Christ - that is, give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31, AMP).
To those that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, there will be a Day of Judgment (Consider Acts 24:24-25).
Will you be like the rich man who thought about spiritual things a little too late? "You have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Wine, women, and song for you!" But God said to him..."Tonight you die. Then who will get it all?" (Lk. 12:19-20, LB).
Or will you be like the tax collector who humbled himself before God and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" God accepted him, forgave his sins and declared him in right relationship before a holy God (Lk. 18:13-14).
Because of God's kindness He is willing to SAVE you from the penalty of your sins. He loves you & is WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU! Will you call out to Him today and receive His free gift of salvation?
If we can help you, write us at WJoKrow@aol.com
Tract No. 17 by Don Krow
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