Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Most people do. But what does it mean to be “good?” The Bible says that God is good and we can see God’s standard of what is “good” by looking at His law, the Ten Commandments. So, let’s look at God’s Law from Exodus 20 with a tender conscience. Ask yourself if you have obeyed the following:

 

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Have you always loved God above all else?)

 

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (Have you made a god in your mind that you’re more comfortable with, a god to suit yourself?)

 

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Have you ever used God’s Holy Name without the respect that it deserves?)

 

4. Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.

 

5. Honor thy father and thy mother.

 

6. Thou shalt not kill. (God considers hatred to be equal with murder. Matthew 5:21-22)

 

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Includes looking upon someone with lust and sex before marriage. Matthew 5:27-28)

 

8. Thou shalt not steal. (The value of the item is irrelevant.)

 

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. (Have you lied even once?)

 

10. Thou shalt not covet. (Have you ever jealously desired what belongs to others?)

 

How did you measure up? The real question is, When you stand before God on the day of Judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? No doubt, if judged by God’s law, you will be found guilty. In fact, the Bible says “there is none that doeth good…for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:12-23) Do you realize that you are a sinner? The Bible says that, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) And, God “…will by no means clear the guilty.” (Exodus 34:7). Even now, the wrath of God abides on the guilty unbeliever. (John 3:36)

Did you know that God made a way for you to be forgiven through the Gospel? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8)

 

God showed his love to you by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners like us. He was sinless—He never disobeyed God’s laws, and didn’t have to die, but He loved you so much that He willingly gave His life and died on the cross to pay the price for your sin.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

Jesus died in your place and paid the price for your sin with His blood. Three days later He arose, proving everything that He had
claimed was true. Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sin?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

Salvation is a gift. It is not earned nor is it a reward for good works. What we have earned is not salvation, but death.

 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”(Romans 6:23)

 

Salvation is possible because Jesus died on the cross to take our sin and give us his “goodness” in exchange. (2 Corinthians 5:21) On judgment day, you will be found innocent or guilty. There will be no scales to weigh your good works; good works do not pay for sin. It is only the blood of Jesus that can pay your debt. (Ephesians 1:7) What must I do to receive the gift of salvation?

The message of the New Testament is “…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Acts 20:21)

You must repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance means to change your mind and agree with God about your sin and how to be saved. It means that you no longer trust in your deeds, your religion, baptism, or any other “good work” in order to be saved. Repentance is turning from your own way to God’s way (John 14:6). The Bible says that salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by good works (Romans 4:4-5).

 

What have you been depending on to get you to heaven? Faith is simply depending on Jesus alone. It is transferring
your trust from self-effort and good works to trusting exclusively in Jesus Christ for your salvation.

 

If you are ready to do that, the Bible says:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Do you believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to be forgiven? Would you like to receive Jesus as your Savior today?

 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

 

If you believe with all your heart that you are a guilty sinner, and that Jesus Christ alone can save you by His death and resurrection, why don’t you call upon His name, placing your faith and trust in Him alone?

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

 

If you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we would love to hear from you and help you learn more about your Savior and the Bible.

 

The first step in this new life is to get a Bible, read it every day, obey what it says, and get involved in a local church.