The Gospel Message
Many people think that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. They judge goodness based on comparing themselves to other people and therefore think they are doing pretty well. The Bible, however, says that it is appointed once for man to die and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). That judgment will be based on the Ten Commandments. Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments?
Let’s take a quick look at them:
The first commandment says “you shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) Have you ever put anything in your life before the God that created the universe and even created you? Are sports more important to you than God? Is your job more important to you then God? If so then you have violated the first commandment.
The second commandment says “you shall not make any graven images.” (Exodus 20:4) Have you made up a god to suit your own image? Perhaps you don’t think your God would ever send anyone to hell because God is all loving. Well, God is all loving, but He is also just. And because he is just He must punish sin. Or perhaps you want to think of God as “heavenly Mother” instead of Father. All of these things are making “graven images” (man-made idols), and are violations of the second commandment.
The third commandment says “you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? Or Jesus’ name as a curse word? Using the name of the creator to express filth and disgust is called blasphemy. The Bible says that God will not hold him blameless who uses His name in vain!
The fourth commandment says “you shall remember the sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) Do you set aside time to worship God and acknowledge Him as the creator?
The fifth commandment says “to honor your mother and father.” (Exodus 20:12) Have you done that? Perfectly? When you were growing up did you always do what your mom and dad said? The first time? If not, you have broken this commandment.
The sixth commandment says “you shall not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5: 21-23 NIV) God’s standard is so high that to even hate someone is the same as murder! Have you ever hated someone? If so, you are guilty of breaking the sixth commandment.
The seventh commandment says “your shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) But Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, '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 NIV) God’s standard is perfection. He even knows our thought life. Imagine if you had a device on the back of your ear that recorded all of your thoughts. Would you want your thoughts played back to your mom or your spouse? If not, then you have probably lusted and broken this commandment!
The eighth commandment says, “you shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) Have you ever taken something that does not belong to you? Even as a kid, taken money from your mom’s purse or your dad’s wallet? Driven above the speed limit or left work early? All of these would be considered violations of the eighth commandment. What do you call someone who steals? That’s right, a thief!
The ninth commandment says “you shall not lie.” (Exodus 21:16) Have you ever told a lie? Anytime in your whole life? God does not care if it was “just a white lie” or “if it did not hurt anyone”. By His standard a lie is a lie and someone who tells lies is a liar.
The tenth commandment says, “you shall not covet.” (Exodus 20:17) Have you ever wanted something that someone else has? Someone else’s car or house? What about their job? Or family? Any of these are called coveting and are violations of the tenth commandment.
Considering your answers to the questions above, if you stood before God on judgment day, and He judged you by the ten commandments, would He find you innocent or guilty? When we are honest with ourselves and with God, we must agree that we would all be guilty when compared to His perfect law. That’s right. If you have lied, you are a liar. If you have stolen you’re a thief. If you have hated someone, then God sees you as a murderer. If you have looked with lust, God sees you as an adulterer. If God judges you by this standard when you die, will He find you innocent or guilty? Considering you are guilty of breaking His law, your eternal destiny will be Hell!
Does that concern you?
It SHOULD! Are you ready for some good news? God does not want you to go to hell! He loves you, and all people, and He planned a way to show His perfect love and perfect justice! The Bible says that God made one provision to save man from sin. That provision is in the person of Jesus Christ. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV)
What must we do?
Many people believe that they can do good works to make up for the bad things they have done. However, there is no amount of good that can be done to cover up for the bad things we have done. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV) You see God’s gift of salvation is just that, a gift. If someone gave you a gift and then you pulled out a checkbook and said, “hey let me write you a check to pay for that” it would be an insult. It is the same with God. God is offering you a free gift. Doing works to earn that gift is an insult to God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”.
So if it is not by works, then how can you be saved?
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (Acts 16:29-31)
There are two things. Repent of your sins. Agree with God that you have violated His commandments and therefore your eternal destiny would be hell. Then put your trust in Jesus to save you. God loved you so much that He sent his son, Jesus, to die on a cross for you. Then Jesus was buried and three days later He rose from the dead. After appearing to over 500 people he ascended into Heaven. The Bible says that all who believe in Jesus will have eternal life in heaven. Those that don’t will face the wrath of God in hell ... forever.
The choice is yours. Please choose Jesus before it is too late. This offer expires at one of two dates. Either you die or Jesus returns to judge the Earth. If either of these dates come and you have not put your faith in Jesus to save you, then it will be too late. Since we do not know when Jesus will return (John 14:3) or the moment of your own death (Job 14:5), it is urgent that you be saved today. Don’t put it off. This is the most important decision you will ever make. Please example some more evidence.
Please contact us and let us know what you have decided.
Once you have repented of your sins and put your trust in Jesus as your savior, you will want to start reading the Bible daily. We suggest starting with the book of John. You will also want to find a Bible believing church in your area to attend. We can also help nurture your relationship with Christ through our Bezeugen Discipleship Program. Please contact us for details.
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