This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. – 1 Timothy 4:9-10 (NIV)
There is hope. We all need hope and God provides that through Himself to all who believe. I want you to experience that transforming hope, the greatest hope you could ever have.
Does your conscious tell you that something is wrong with your life? Do you feel guilty? We all have that and while we can mute the voice, we know that we are at odds with God and His perfect desire for our lives. When we miss that mark, it is called “sin” (an archery term for when the arrow does not hit the target). Doesn’t your conscience tell you that this is true, that you have missed the mark and need a fix?
That’s exactly what the Scriptures say:
Romans 3:23
…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
The problem is even worse when we realize that our “sin” is a slap in the face of God, our Creator. He created us with freedom to enjoy life, to explore and to know Him. However, we admit that we have chosen to disobey His house rules and “go our own way.” This rebellion is sin and this affront to Him grieves His heart because He is a Just God. He always must do what is right and is constrained to judge perfectly, even if it hurts.
This, again, is what the Scriptures say:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death …
We each work at the “business of sin” and we shall all receive our “paycheck”. That paycheck is eternal punishment. There is no shortage of funds in God’s bank account, so what you earn, you will receive.
However, you say, that can’t be right. I thought God was a loving God!
You are RIGHT! Yes, He is perfectly loving. In fact, the Scriptures say that “God is love.” He originates love, defines love and radiates love. But He is also a perfect and Holy Judge and must punish sin. This conflict moved the heart of God to do something for us. In fact, the Scriptures say:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God has a gift available to all of us. The truth is that He loves you and He demonstrates that love by offering you Eternal Life. The gift is “free” but the “cost” was high. The Scriptures says:
Romans 5:8
… God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Isaiah 53:5
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
You see, to remain a Holy Judge while at the same time “fix our sin problem”, God devised a plan to come to planet earth through His Son, Jesus Christ, to become “one of us” that He might live a perfect life and then die “in our place” to pay the debt of our sin in full. As we know from Scripture and History, Jesus Christ was unjustly punished and murdered on a cross, He was buried and then He rose again the third day.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
…I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
The Scriptures declare that God poured out the wrath that we deserved upon His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of that, He can now grant forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all those who accept His free gift by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:21
…He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
John 3:16
…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Are you ready to receive God’s free gift of eternal life? The choice is yours. God has done everything necessary to provide for your eternity. He longs to commune with you forever, to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). Are you ready to meet your Savior and drink the sweet power of His Presence the rest of your life and for all eternity? If so, I have good news for you. God is listening right now and He is waiting for you to respond. Call out to Him and place the weight of your sin into His hand, ask to be made new, forgiven and free, and He will.
Romans 10:13
…”Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Dear Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior to give me hope and a future. I know that my failures, my sins, have separated me from communion with you and placed me under the wrath of eternal death. I know you took the punishment in my place. Thank you for sacrificing your life for mine. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life. I trust in you right now. Amen.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ and accepted God’s gift of eternal life you are now a child of God and have entered the path of eternal hope. God has an amazing plan for you and for your life. Rest your hope fully upon the God who loves you and has saved you. He is crazy about you and has an amazing purpose for your life.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)