Jesus Died on the Cross for You

 

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Jesus Died on the Cross for You

    Do you want to go to heaven? Do you believe there is a God? If not, consider that the universe had a beginning from nothing. Consider how precise natural laws are not only on earth, but in the universe. Consider how many natural laws there are? Does it makes sense that there is a God who is the creator and who holds everything together? Ask yourself this question: “If I die tomorrow, would I go to heaven?” If you are unsure, ask yourself, “Why?” Ask yourself: “Am I a good person?” If you say yes, consider these questions. Have you ever lied? Stolen? Have you ever lusted or was angry or felt hatred? Have you ever not forgiven someone? These are God’s standards. We have all broken them. These are the standards by which God will judge us because God is Holy and is Perfect, and we are not. There is no way we can keep God’s standards, but God did make a way for us through his son Jesus, who died on the cross 2000 years ago for you.

    We are separated from God because of sin. Because we have sinned, we have to answer to God for our sins. When you trust in Jesus, that he died for you. His death on the cross becomes payment for your sins and, he gives you his righteousness. Paul writes in Romans 3:21-26, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

    We are reconciled to God by accepting the gift of God’s grace through faith in his son Jesus Christ. Jesus takes our punishment and gives us his righteousness and saves us from God’s punishment. A punishment we all deserve because of our sins against God. Paul states in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All one must do to be saved is to trust in that gift of grace and that gift alone. It is by faith alone, by grace alone. Paul states in Ephesian 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God is Holy and Perfect and his standard is far above ours. Because of our sin, we need Jesus to redeem us, so that we may enter into God’s presence after we die.

    Jesus died on the cross to satisfy God’s wrath against our sins and against the sins of people before Jesus. Only God can save us from ourselves. There is no good deed we can do to save us. The sinner cannot redeem the sinner. All that God requires of us is to trust that Jesus died for us. It is a gift that you only have to receive by believing. Again, ask yourself this question: “If I die tomorrow, would I go to heaven?” What percentage would you give it? Between 0 and 100 percent? Since Jesus died on the cross and took 100 percent of your punishment, how much is left for you? Zero right? So the big question is when are you going to accept that gift? You make the decision and in that instant, you are saved.

    After you have accepted, what should you do next? Get to know God by reading his word in the bible. Study the bible. Start in the New Testament, so that you will learn about Jesus. Also, get involved with a church, but check what is said in the church with the bible. Check to see that the church teaches only from the bible. Change your way of life to Jesus’ way of life. Follow Jesus’ teachings. Begin in Matthew 5, 6, and7. Pray to God. Forgive the people from your past. Seek forgiveness from those you have hurt. Cut off the things in your life that are sinful. Make the decision and do it. Be sincere and stop doing them. You can do it. Get baptized. Memorize scripture in the bible. And then finally, tell people about this wonderful gift. Begin with the people you love, family and friends. These are just a few things you can do. These all are good deeds and they are just a part of our discipleship. These all have nothing to do with our salvation. Our works don’t save us, but they do have everything to do with our discipleship. Our discipleship has everything to do with to love one another. It is my hope that you may find joy and peace in this message.

Paul states, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Corinthians 5:21).