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Some people will tell you that
guilt is not a good thing. In some instances, this is true. Obviously, people can be
held back from doing the right thing because of their guilt. However, we feel guilty because we
are guilty. Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the garden of Eden, and their sin has been
carried down to each of us. We are each guilty of doing things that are against God. God
holds us to a standard of perfection, and we cannot reach the standard of a perfect God.
A person who is guilty has the
ability to understand forgiveness. This person feels relief when they know that they have done something
wrong and they realize that they have been forgiven. Even though we are guilty before God, He will forgive
us if we will turn to Him. How do we get the forgiveness of God? Can we try to do good
to make up for our sin? Of course not. Again, God’s standard is perfection, and
we cannot reach that standard.
The first step towards gaining God’s forgiveness is to realize that we have sinned against Him.
In Romans 3:10, we read, “As
it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” All are guilty before God. This includes me,
and this includes you.
The punishment for a wrong helps to
establish how bad that deed is. A cold-blooded killer might get life in prison or the death penalty.
What is the punishment for our sin? God says we deserve hell for the wrongs that we have done. “And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
God’s
perfection requires that sin is paid for, so we are in a desperate situation. The good news is that someone
has already paid for our 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 whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7. Jesus
died on the cross to bear the punishment for our sin, so that we could be forgiven. He also rose again, defeating death. “And he saith unto them,
Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they
laid him.” Mark 16:6.
God is the only one from whom we can get total
forgiveness, through His Son, Jesus. We must turn to him, repent of our sin, and ask for forgiveness.
Only then can we receive salvation. Romans chapter 10 tells us what we must do. In verse 9, 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.” Verse 10 describes further: “For with
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
If you want to trust Jesus as your Savior, to forgive your sins and take you to heaven when you die, please pray
something like this in your heart:
Dear Heavenly Father, I
know that I am guilty; I have sinned against you and deserve hell for my sin.Please forgive me and cleanse me.
I am trusting in you alone for salvation.
Help me to serve you.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
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