Forgiveness

Jesus said in John 14:6, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

In John 18:38 Pontius Pilate ask Jesus “… what is truth?”

It is the most important question for you to answer, how you answer determines your eternal destiny.

We expect truth on medicine bottles and food labels.  We assume road signs are true.  We want truth when we read a reference book, read an article or view the news.  We want truth from advertisers, teachers, and politicians.  In fact, we demand truth for all of life, it affects our money, safety or health.

Yet, despite unwavering demands for truth in those areas, many of us say we aren’t interested in truth when it comes to morality or religion.  Many reject the idea that any religion can be true.  Why do we say, “That’s true for you, but not for me.” when we talk of morality or religion, but never think of such nonsense when we talk to the bank teller about money or the doctor about our health?

Some facts about TRUTH:

Truth is discovered not invented.  It exists independent of anyone’s knowledge of it.  ( Gravity existed prior to Newton)

Truth is transcultural; if something is true, it is true for all people, in all places, at all times.  (2+2=4 for everyone)

Truth is unchanging even though our beliefs about truth change.  (The earth is not flat)

Beliefs cannot change truth no matter how sincerely they are held.

Truth is not affected by the attitude of the one professing it.  (Arrogance does not make truth false and humility does not make error true.)

While contrary beliefs are possible, contrary truths are not possible.  We can believe everything to be true but we cannot make everything to be true.  Our conclusion about “what is truth?” impacts every area of our life.  “What is truth?”

The Truth about God:

He is the Rock, his work is perfect:  for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.  Deuteronomy 32:4

But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king, at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.  Jeremiah 10:10

Because God is true, He must judge sin.  If there were no judgment of sin, God would not be just and right.  Sin is to fall short of His Holiness, to transgress His laws and commandments.

Whosoever commitheth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the trangression of the law.  1 John 3:3

The Truth about man:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one.  Romans 3:10

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23

All men are guilty before God and as such are justly condemned.

Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.  Romans 5:12

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  James 2:10

The Truth about salvation:

Salvation is to be delivered from the righteous judgment and wrath of God against sin.  All sin must be judged or God cannot be righteous.  God allowed a substitute to take our place.

But God commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8-9

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

God now commands that all men repent and believe the gospel. 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  Acts 17:30

Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Let the wicked forsake his way , and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  Isaiah 55:7

Repentance is a change of mind and action, it is a change of attitude that recognizes all God says about me and my sinful condition is true and right.  It is contriteness for sin and a desire to be different.  Faith toward Jesus Christ is to believe He is the Son of God in the flesh,  giving Himself a sacrifice to God for sin on our behalf.  It is trusting in Jesus Christ and his blood alone as sufficient payment for your sin.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.  Ephesian 1:7

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

Our salvation is not based on our birth, our baptism, our church membership or simply trying the best we can, but upon the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary and His glorious resurrection from the dead.  He alone has conquered death, hell and the grave.  Forgiveness and eternal life are in Him.  Because He lives we can have eternal life in Him.

Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

Will you now repent, calling upon God for forgiveness and believe on Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior.

 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.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.   Romans 10:9-10. 

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

Trust God’s word, not your feelings.  God’s promises never change.  Daily you need to: Pray – you speak to God, Read your Bible – God speaks to you, Witness – you speak to others about God.  You need a church home where you can grow in Christ and enjoy so great a salvation.  Please click on link below and send us a note so that we may rejoice with you and pray for your continued spiritual growth: Email: gbbc@juno.com