The Gospel of Jesus Christ

God Looks Down

"The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psalm 14:2,3

In these verses we are told that God looked upon our race from His throne in heaven. He looked down because He was and is interested in His creation. Isn’t it sad what He saw? "All gone aside", "all filthy", "none that doeth good". Do you realize that this is the general condition of the human race as God sees it from His view point. And I might add that it is not getting any better, like some would like us to believe. We have all committed acts that have offended a Holy God. Sin is a plague that has infected all of us and so we have the universality of sin in verse 3.

So "there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Does it make any difference if this is what God thinks of us? Are there any consequences for our offenses? This is really the thing that we need to consider isn’t it. If there are no consequences for what we do then we have nothing to worry about. But if there are consequences what are they?

The Consequences Of Sin

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23

In the Bible God has revealed to us that there are consequences for sin. In this verse we are told that the wages of sin is death. We get paid for doing what God has said we should not do. This death is not only physical death but also another kind of death. This is why we want to tell you the gospel so that you will know about the consequences of sin.

In the last book of the Bible in chapter 20 and verse 11 we are shown by God the horrible end of the one that dies without ever having been forgiven for their sins. These people died in their sins and they are called the dead and they are judged for their works. In verse 15 we read that they were cast into the lake of fire. In verse 14 this eternal punishment for sins is called the "second death".

A Way That Seems Right

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs16:25.

This verse tells us about our way.

Some people seem to realize that they need to be forgiven by God. So some go to church, some even become members of churches and get baptized. Some partake of the sacraments. Some people think that they are not so bad that God will punish them. Still others have their own belief system that appeals to them, some way of thinking that they feel comfortable with. There are things that we do ,when it comes to God, that seem like the right thing when really they are leading us to a dead end.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:7 - 9.

We cannot trust the way that we think because the way that we think is not the way that God thinks. That is why it is so important to go to the place where God speaks so that we can hear what He has to say. The Bible is where we can go to hear God. God wants each and every one of us to return to Him. When we do, He tells us that He will have mercy and abundantly pardon.

Forgiven Sins

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Colossians 1:12 - 14.

These verses are from a letter that was written to Christians in the city of Colosse. These people heard the gospel preached and they believed it. When they believed they became Christians.  That is they were saved.  They were born again. The Apostle Paul said to these Christians that:

What can we do to have our sins forgiven?

Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul said:

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38, 39

Has there ever been a time when you believed in what Jesus Christ did on the cross.  Have you believed that He died for you personally? The Bible teaches us that on the cross He was punished by God for the sins of the world. When all that was required by God was accomplished Jesus cried "it is finished". You can be forgiven by God by believing in Jesus Christ. The salvation of your soul from eternal punishment is a gift from God that He offers to you through faith in His beloved Son. Remember the verse that we read at the beginning?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:31

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36