He's Not Counting

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.”    2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV

The word “gospel” means good news. Jesus called his disciples to preach this message to all men.  But what is so marvelous about Christianity?  Why would anyone want to embrace Jesus and his way of living?

The good news cannot be understood without the delivery of some bad news first.  The truth is that we all fall short from God’s holy standard, and we all deserve spiritual death (Romans 3:9-18, 23).  All of us without exception have blown  it, yet God’s standard is still perfection. He said that we are not to lie, but who of us have not told an  untruth?  Jesus said if we have  lusted after a woman or a man, we have committed sexual sin in our hearts (Matthew 5:27-30). He also equated unbridled anger with murder (Matthew 5:21-22).  The Lord not only judges our actions, he weighs our hearts as well.  The honest conclusion for us is that we are all guilty.  To presume innocence of sin reveals a heart of pride, and pride is the sin that God hates the most. 

However, if we place our trust in Jesus and what he did for us at the cross, God no longer counts our sins against us.  He wipes the slate clean.  Jesus willingly gave his life so we could be forgiven. His sinless life became the perfect sacrifice to appease God’s anger towards us because of our sin.  When we place our trust in him as the sacrifice for our sins, he gives us eternal life, and we can begin a wonderful relationship with God.

God’s judgment towards us fell solely upon Jesus as he hung on a blood-stained cross.  After three days, Christ victoriously rose from the grave.  Now the Lord longs to embrace each of us in his love and mercy.  He simply asks us to turn from our sin and give our lives completely to him.  He will help us do this, and he will accept us just as we are.  If you haven’t trusted Jesus for your salvation, why not pray with me...?

Dear Father God,     

 I admit I am a sinner.  I am sorry for living in ways that displease you. Please forgive me.  I repent of my sin.  Thank you for not counting my sins against me.   Lord Jesus I place my trust in you.  I believe that you died in my place, and I now accept your gift of eternal life.  I choose to follow you here on earth.  In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Congratulations! You have just made the most important decision of your life.  God is your Father, and heaven  is your home.  Here are some tips to help you on your newfound journey with Christ.

• Read the Bible daily.  You can start in the book of John.
• Pray regularly.  Prayer is simply talking to God.
• Tell others about your faith in Jesus.
• Attend a Bible believing church regularly.                
• No matter what happens, know that God loves you.  If you sin, He will forgive you, if you only admit your fault to Him and decide to do what’s right.

God bless you on your new journey with Him.         

© Copyright 2017 by Tom Toya