How good are you?
How would you rate your goodness on a scale from 1-10? If you're like most people you probably gave yourself a six or seven. You realize you're not as good as some people (you're no Mother Teresa!) but at least you've never murdered anyone! God knows that you're a pretty good person - and because of this He will accept you into heaven. But is this really true?
What's the standard?
The reason that most of think that we're good enough to get to God is because we are comparing ourselves to other people - instead of comparing ourselves to God. We're using the wrong standard. The Ten Commandments give us God's standard of "goodness" in Exodus 20:1-17. And by that test, we all fall short.
It's like trying to jump from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other. Some of us could jump further than others, but we'd all fall short. The bible says that it's impossible to get to God by trying to be a good person or doing good works: "We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ"" - Galatians 2:16.
Our problem? We are sinful and we break God's law!
We are sinful: "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'" (Romans 3:10,23). Our sin brings judgment: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed" (Romans 2:5). "And the final punishment for those who die in their sins is eternal separation from God in hell" (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
God's Solution? Jesus!
Jesus lived a sinless life. In love Jesus died as a substitute for our sins. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "After three days Jesus rose to life and was seen by hundreds of eyewitnesses. Having conquered sin and death, He then returned to heaven as a rightful ruler over all" (1st Corinthians 15).
Your response? Repent and trust Jesus!
You must turn from your sins and trust in Jesus alone to save you. Only then will you be forgiven and accepted by God. Turn from your sin - leave it behind: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19-20) and trust only in Jesus: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever rejects the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36).
The next step? Get involved in a Bible-teaching church!
If you just trusted Jesus, that's great! Please know that God doesn't expect you to live the Christian life on your own. He designed the church to be a dynamic life-changing community where you'll be cared for and encouraged. Take the next step - commit to a church where the Bible is clearly taught and its truths are lived out with passion and authenticity.