Read Me Now
Dear Friend,
You are not reading this letter by chance. There is a God in heaven who sees and knows everything. One might wonder why, if there is a God, He allows poverty, suffering, or hunger to persist. Why, if God is loving, would He allow innocent children to go hungry or to be hurt and abused? The truth is, the reason a loving God allows these things is actually because of love.
You see, God made the whole world, us included, and He wants to be loved by us. The bible, (God’s word) tells us God created humans for his pleasure and in his image (to be like Him). But because the first man, Adam, disobeyed God (he “sinned”), we are forever separated from God. This cycle of sin continues as many people who were abused, for example, abuse others.
So why doesn’t God destroy all who break His law? The truth is, there wouldn’t be anyone left if He did. The bible tells us that “all have sinned” and so we are all guilty of breaking God’s law. Jesus, the son of God, taught that God cares about your intentions, not just your actions. So, even if you just hate someone, it is the intention of your heart that God looks at, and it is compared with murder. Or if you look at another person with lust, it is compared with committing adultery. Nothing we can do (or not do) on our own can make us right with God, who is the Great Judge. God’s punishment for sinners is Hell and eternal separation from God. We can’t just tell God all the good things we have done once we die and expect to have forgiveness. No more than a criminal convicted of murder can plead before the judge with all the good things he did during his lifetime with an expectation to escape his punishment.
What Then Can Be Done?
The bible says we must not just know God, but be known by Him. There is Good News, however! God sent his son, Jesus, to take the punishment for sinners by dying on the cross. So, it is all taken care of, right? No, there’s more to it than that. You must humble yourself before almighty God and receive his gift. How? This is done by repenting (turning from sin and turning toward God) and trusting in Jesus who died for you and raised from the dead. You can’t just do this because “it makes sense.” The bible teaches that true, saving faith in God comes from hearing the word of God, and this contains the word of God.
If you feel the Spirit of God helping you to realize that you are lost without Him, then call out to God with repentance and sorrow. Tell God you are done living for yourself and begin living for Him. He will not turn you away. Don’t wait to get “cleaned up” before coming to Him–there’s no amount of self-cleansing that will make you acceptable before God. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in JESUS.
I enjoy your messages
That is encouraging! Continue to seek the Lord and His Word.