Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath,
for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Romans 12:19
No one escapes, no one!
Numbers
32:23, "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and
be sure your sin will find you out."
Be sure your sin will find you out. Or rather, "ye will know your sin" (
וּדְעוּ חַטַּאתְכֶם) "which shall find you out" (for
מָצָא cf.
Genesis 44:16).
Proverbs 5:22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
The world has it's own ways and ideas of dealing with sins...
"Like something out of the movie Inception, Rhiannon
Williams reports in the Telegraph that Dr. Rebecca Roache, in charge of a
team of scholars focused upon the ways futuristic technologies might
transform punishment, claims the prison sentences of serious criminals
could be made worse by distorting prisoners' minds into thinking time was passing more slowly. 'There are a number of psychoactive drugs that distort people's sense of time,
so you could imagine developing a pill or a liquid that made someone
feel like they were serving a 1,000-year sentence,' says Roache. Roache
says when she began researching this topic, she was thinking a lot about
Daniel Pelka, a four-year-old boy who was starved and beaten to death by his mother and stepfather.
'I
had wondered whether the best way to achieve justice in cases like that
was to prolong death as long as possible. Some crimes are so bad they
require a really long period of punishment, and a lot of people seem to
get out of that punishment by dying. And so I thought, why not make
prison sentences for particularly odious criminals worse by extending
their lives?' Thirty years in prison is currently the most severe
punishment available in the UK legal system. 'To me, these questions
about technology are interesting because they force us to rethink the
truisms we currently hold about punishment. When we ask ourselves
whether it's inhumane to inflict a certain technology on someone, we
have to make sure it's not just the unfamiliarity that spooks us,' says
Roache. 'Is it really OK to lock someone up for the best part of the
only life they will ever have, or might it be more humane to tinker with
their brains and set them free? When we ask that question, the goal
isn't simply to imagine a bunch of futuristic punishments — the goal is to look at today's punishments through the lens of the future.'"
***
Almighty God has His ways
Genesis 4:7
If
you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do
what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you,
but you must rule over it."
What is Sin and What Does the Bible Say About Sin?
For such a small word, a lot is packed into the meaning of sin. The
Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God's law (1
John 3:4). It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God
(Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God. The original
translation means "to miss the mark" of God's holy standard of
righteousness.
While the basic origin of sin is unclear, we know that it came into the world when the serpent, Satan, tempted
Adam and
Eve and they disobeyed God (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). The essence of the problem stemmed from the human desire to
be like God.
All sin, therefore, has its roots in idolatry—the attempt to put
something or someone in the place of the Creator. Most often, that
someone is one's own self. While God allows sin, he is not the author of
sin. All sins are an offense to God and they separate us from him
(Isaiah 59:2).
Are All Sins Equal to God?
The Bible seems to indicate that there are degrees to sin—that some are
more detestable to God than others (Deuteronomy 25:16; Proverbs
6:16-19). However, when it comes to the eternal consequences of sin,
they are all the same. Every sin, every act of rebellion, leads to
condemnation and eternal death (Romans 6:23).
Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags ... (NIV)
Romans 3:10-12
...There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who
understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have
together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. (NIV)
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV)
If sin separates us from God and condemns us to death, how do we get free
from its curse? Fortunately, God provided a solution through his Son,
Jesus Christ.
The truth is, we all sin. The Bible makes this apparent in Scriptures
such as Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10. But the Bible also says that God
hates sin and encourages us as Christians to stop sinning:
"Those who
have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning,
because God's life is in them." (1 John 3:9,
NLT)
Ephesians 2:1-5
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in
which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of
the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in
those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and
thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But
because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by
grace you have been saved. (NIV)
Ephesians 4:20-32
That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard
about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is
in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to
put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the
new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to
your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do
not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do
not give the devil a foothold.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal
no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands,
that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let
any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit
those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom
you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness,
rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I
forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
Romans 6:11-13
So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of
sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the
way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of
your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give
yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new
life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for
the glory of God.
(NLT)
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (NLT)
Luke 1:18-19
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an
old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I
am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to
speak to you and to tell you this good news. (NIV)
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.(NKJV)
Luke 17:4
And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times
in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (NKJV)
Matthew 18:34-35
The king was so angry that he ordered the official to be tortured
until he could pay back everything he owed. That is how my Father in
heaven will treat you, if you don't forgive each of my followers with
all your heart. (CEV)
Matthew 6:12
and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.(NLT)
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father
will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will
not forgive your sins. (NLT)
Colossians 3:13
Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. (CEV)
Luke 6:27
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (NIV)
Bible Verses on God's Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:10
Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if
there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for
your sake (NIV)
Mark 2:7-11
“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive
sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked
them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to
the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your
mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the
authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed
man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (NLT)
Luke 5:20-21
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins
are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to
themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can
forgive sins!” (NLT)
Romans 12:17-21
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in
the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at
peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room
for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL
REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE
IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING
COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good.(NASB)
Hebrews 12:15
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the
grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to
trouble you, corrupting many. (NLT)
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)
2 Peter 3:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
8 But,
beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the
Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance.
10 But
the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall
be burned up.
Romans 2:16
This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of
us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad.
Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ …
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, …
John 5:22
For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:
The judgment-seat of God
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ; at the last
day, when he shall sit on his throne of glory, and all nations shall be
gathered before him, and he shall pronounce and execute the decisive
sentence on each of them: there is a particular, and a general judgment;
a particular judgment at death, when the soul is immediately consigned
to bliss or woe; heaven or hell.
Christ will be the Judge, he is so appointed by his Father, and is
every way fit for it, being God omniscient and omnipotent; and when he
shall appear in his glory, he shall sit on his judgment seat, the dead
will be raised, the books will be opened, and all shall be summoned to
appear before him, of every age and sex, of every rank and degree, and
of every character, good or bad.
They shall all stand before the tribunal of Christ, who is sole Judge,
and shall render to every man according to his works, and from whom they
shall all receive their sentence.
What must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:30-31
New International Version (NIV)
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Here in the simplest, shortest form is
put the question to which every man must learn the answer, or spend eternity
lost, away from God, suffering the torments of the damned! Thank God, this
question is asked and answered in the Word of God so simply that every soul
can understand it. There are other questions in God's Word which affect the
soul's welfare, and many places in the Bible is the plan of salvation made
plain, but only one place is this question given word for word, and there,
too, we find the answer.
Oh, I beg you, see it today! You are a poor, lost sinner, a Hell-bound
sinner! Your heart is black. You have hardened your heart, you have resisted
the call of God, you have rejected Christ. However good you are in man's
sight, you are a terrible sinner, and unless you turn to Christ you must
spend eternity in Hell. A SINNER! That is what you are. Admit it in your own
heart, confess it to God. You are a sinner and you need saving worse than
you need anything else in the world.
Here is God's simple way to be saved. You are a sinner, your heart is wrong,
you cannot save yourself, you are already condemned. The thing you are to do
then, to be saved, is to simply trust the Lord Jesus with that matter. When
you do trust Him, then you have God's promise, "Thou shalt be saved."
"For the wages of sin is death; but the GIFT of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord."--Rom. 6:23.
You ought to be sorry for your sins and ashamed of them. "Godly sorrow
worketh repentance" 2 Corinthians 7:10
To repent literally means to have a change of mind or spirit toward God and
toward sin. It means to turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart,
and trust in Jesus Christ to save you. You can see, then, how the man who
believes in Christ repents and the man who repents believes in Christ. The
jailer repented when he turned form sin to believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation is instantaneous. All that keeps you today from being saved is the
wickedness of your heart that holds on to sin and will not run to Jesus to
trust in Him for salvation. I beg you, turn in shame and sorrow from your
sins this minute, and trust in Christ and be saved!
Romans 10:13 says:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Many people believe that a sinner cannot be saved without a period of
prayer, without consciously calling on God. However, the Bible does not say
that a sinner must pray in order to be saved. In fact, immediately following
the verse in Romans 10:13 is an explanation which shows that calling on God
is an evidence of faith in the heart and that it is really faith which
settles the matter. Read it again.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"--Rom. 10:13, 14.
The Lord encourages the sinner to pray, and the Lord hears and answers the
sinner's prayer, if that sinner trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation when he
prays. He heard the prayer of the thief on the cross, of the publican in the
temple, of blind Bartimaeus.
But the Scripture says, "How then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed?" Certainly every one who is to
be saved must believe. Prayer is evidence of faith.
No matter how long one
prays, if he does not trust in Christ, he can never be saved. If he trusts
in Christ without conscious prayer, then he is saved already. There is just
one plan of salvation and just one step a sinner must take to secure it.
That step is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Beloved, some way we preachers have left the impression on this poor world of sinners
that God is hardhearted and that it takes many tears and loud cries and long
periods of sorrow before He will hear and save the sinner.
We have left the
impression that God does not care whether sinners are saved or not, and that
sinners must some way touch the heart of God and get Him ready to forgive.
What a slander on a good and holy God who "so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
Man's sins are already paid for, God's wrath is
already turned away from any sinner who wants to be saved. Both the Father
and the Son are a million times more anxious to save every sinner than the
sinner can be to get saved!
Thank God, I do not have to beg God to forgive
my sins. He will do it the minute I am willing to trust it with Him.
After you are saved, you will get peace and joy out of following the Lord in
baptism, reading His Word, winning souls and otherwise pleasing Him. You
need to go to the Lord again and again day by day for the joy of a Christian
life. But thank God that salvation is settled once and for all when you
simply depend upon Christ as your Saviour.
Dear sinner, do not make this a difficult matter.
There is one simple step
between you and Jesus. When you trust Him, everything else is settled, and
you have repented, you have come to Christ, you have received Him, you have
done everything necessary to be saved.
Take the answer in Acts 16:31 at face
value: "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED"! In
dozens of Scriptures all through the Bible salvation is promised to those
that believe. Read carefully the following Scriptures and see that again and
again, many, many times, God has promised all any poor sinner would ever
need when he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that BELIEVE on his name."--John 1:12.
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son
of man be lifted up: That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but
have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life."--John 3:14-16.
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH not is
condemned already, because he hath not BELIEVED in the name of the only
begotten Son of God."--John 3:18.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that BELIEVETH
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."--John
3:36.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and BELIEVETH on
him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."--John 5:24.
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the
Son, and BELIEVETH on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him
up at the last day."--John 6:40.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH on me hath everlasting
life."--John 6:47.
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
BELIEVETH in him shall receive remission of sins."--Acts 10:43.
"And by him all that BELIEVE are justified from all things, from which ye
could not be justified by the law of Moses."--Acts 13:39.
Read again the Scripture we started with:
"What must I do to be saved?"
"BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."--Acts 16:30,
31.
The way is plain and you can be saved this moment if you will.
Surely it has become plain, dear lost sinner, that it is your own fault if
you are lost! Do you hate Jesus Christ? Will you hold on to your sin and go
to Hell for your stubbornness? Nothing in the world could show your
wickedness like postponing this matter.
You can be saved right now, this
minute. I beg you, do it now. Turn your whole heart from sin to trust in
Christ. Choose for Heaven against Hell, choose for Christ against Satan. Do
not let Satan deceive you any longer.
If you delay, it may result in a
hardened heart, a wasted life and a tortured soul in Hell! And if you are
not saved, when God has made the way so plain and paid the price for your
sins, then you have no one to blame but yourself. Will you trust Jesus
Christ today and be saved?
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring
forth."--Proverb 27:1.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."--2
Corinthians 6:2.
"Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts."--Heb. 3:7, 8.
God has given you this heartbeat, this breath, this moment in order to trust
Christ, but there is no promise of another. I beg you do it right now, and
then claim Him as your Saviour.
One who trusts Jesus Christ as personal Saviour should publicly claim Him
before men. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).
After trusting Jesus Christ you should join a church and be baptized. I hope
you will find a
good Bible-believing church and attend faithfully.
God Bless You!
