The word "sin" covers two meanings:
The word "sin" covers two meanings:
The word that translates into "sin" was also used to describe
an arrow that falls short of reaching its target. We
"have all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God."
We might not want to sin, but the fact is we all sin.
The Bible teaches that through Adam, the first human,
sin entered this once perfect world,
and that sin affects us all.
So what do you think God thinks of sin?
Perhaps you think it is as if God has a big scale, and puts all the good we've done on one side, and all the bad we've done on the other, and if the good outweighs the bad, we're ushered into heaven when we die.
| Charles Spurgeon, a well known 19th century Baptist preacher, said a certain man whom he knew at one time was vary pious. Mr. Spurgeon said he thought the man was practically sinless, until one day he said he was, and then Mr. Spurgeon knew he was not. |
Perhaps you think because you don't intentionally make a practice
of sin, or because you've given up what sinful ways you may have had,
you are not now a sinner. That's the way I thought,
but in God's way of doing things, even if we had broken only one law
we are just as guilty as if we'd broken all the laws.
If you still like the scale idea, try picturing this: Put all the good you've done on one side, and on the other side, put all the good you could have done. That's a poor analogy, but it's closer to the truth. We all fall short.
So you and I are both sinners. By God's standard, neither of us is good enough to get to heaven. The fact is, we were all overpowered by sin before we were even born.
So is there any hope for us? Yes, there is.
The word "gospel" literally translated means "good news."
The good news is that, because we are unable to
be good enough, God has provided the way to
escape the punishment we deserve.
To find out more about God's Gift for us,
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