The Cross
It's the most important decision you'll ever have to make!

Matthew 16:27 says,"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds." This may sound good to the person who believes that he or she is good, but Romans 3:10 says, "as it is written, 'There is none righteous, not even one.'" And Isaiah 64:6 tells us,"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

You see, often we may hear or say, "he is a good man" or "she is a good woman," but that is in comparison to other human beings.  However, as we compare ourselves to the almighty God "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" in contrast to His holy and truly righteous nature.  God cannot sin; but concerning humanity the Bible says,"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"  Romans 3:23.  This presents a real problem for us because Romans 6:23 tells us that the "wages of sin is death." Further Bible study will reveal that this includes eternal death, forever separated from God, in a place called Hell.

What are we to do then?  We can not save ourselves by trying to be good because even the things that we do which we think are good are like filthy rags to God; He will not accept them.  And since we are all sinners, we are deserving of eternal death for God will not allow sin to enter His holy dwelling place which is called Heaven.

The answer is in the last part of Romans 6:23; it says, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  1 Peter 3:18 says, "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God."  This was the purpose of the cross.  God realized that because of our sinful nature we could not come to Him, so He came to us.  God the Son (Jesus) took on the form of a man (flesh and blood) and offered His own life as a sacrifice for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This sacrifice is efficacious for all who entrust their life to Him. The cross was the instrument of His death.

The good news is that Jesus arose from the grave; death could not hold Him down.  And, because He lives, then all who entrust their life to Him can have eternal life in Him and go to Heaven when they die.  But you must understand that God is very serious about Jesus' death on the cross. The Son of God lovingly and willingly leaving His place of glory and dying for sinful mankind is not something to be taken lightly.  In fact, Jesus said it is the only way to the Father: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" John 14:6.

So what must you do to receive eternal life?  As you come to understand your own sinfulness and therefore your need for a savior, you must turn to Jesus asking Him to forgive you of your sin, and surrender your life to Him as Lord.  If you are serious about what you pray it is that simple...God already knows the attitude of your heart.  The Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" Romans 10:9-10.  If you haven't already, won't you call on Him today?

For an in-depth look at the deadly effect sin has had on both you and me, please visit "Serpents! Have You Fallen Prey?".

If after reading this you still feel that you do not need Jesus, and reject the fact that He died for sinners, Click on the cross below to read a related poem.



All Scripture was taken from the New American Standard version of the Bible.

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