But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
One of the most interesting and beautiful aspects of God is that He is looking for bad people, not "good" ones…
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
One of the most interesting and beautiful aspects of God is that He is looking for bad people, not "good" ones…
In Mark's gospel account, for instance, the Lord Jesus plainly declares, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17).
Sadly, many proud and self-righteous folks miss this truth. That there are no righteous and good people apart from Christ. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Also, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
I say all this because someone asked me if God would allow criminals into heaven. I kindly told him - it was a prison guard who asked this - that, no, a holy God will NEVER and without exceptions, allow a criminal, or any sinner for that matter, into heaven.
He seemed stunned that I said this. But he allowed me to explain my answer. So I told him that everyone has committed sins. Some more than others. However, through Christ's atoning sacrifice of himself on the cross, all those who place their faith in Him, are forgiven. They are cleansed from their sins and transgressions, and justified by God, as well. Meaning that God will no longer hold any of our sins against us. Christ's sinless blood, I told him, paid the full price for our sins and crimes. That, in the end, it doesn't matter if someone served his life as a police officer, or lived as a thief, cheater, and criminal. Ultimately all have sinned. No one is pure and righteous apart from Christ. And none will get into heaven on their own merits.
Criminal or correction officer, either we receive Jesus as our Savior and have His blood wash away our sins, or we will never set our feet in paradise. I then added that, according to the bible, one who is in Christ is no longer a criminal and offender. He is a forgiven individual, and a saint whose name has since been inscribed in the Lord's "BOOK OF LIFE."
It was a pleasant but respectful conversation. After all, the central theme of the gospel, is that Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins, and all have sinned.
D. B.
Sadly, many proud and self-righteous folks miss this truth. That there are no righteous and good people apart from Christ. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Also, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
I say all this because someone asked me if God would allow criminals into heaven. I kindly told him - it was a prison guard who asked this - that, no, a holy God will NEVER and without exceptions, allow a criminal, or any sinner for that matter, into heaven.
He seemed stunned that I said this. But he allowed me to explain my answer. So I told him that everyone has committed sins. Some more than others. However, through Christ's atoning sacrifice of himself on the cross, all those who place their faith in Him, are forgiven. They are cleansed from their sins and transgressions, and justified by God, as well. Meaning that God will no longer hold any of our sins against us. Christ's sinless blood, I told him, paid the full price for our sins and crimes. That, in the end, it doesn't matter if someone served his life as a police officer, or lived as a thief, cheater, and criminal. Ultimately all have sinned. No one is pure and righteous apart from Christ. And none will get into heaven on their own merits.
Criminal or correction officer, either we receive Jesus as our Savior and have His blood wash away our sins, or we will never set our feet in paradise. I then added that, according to the bible, one who is in Christ is no longer a criminal and offender. He is a forgiven individual, and a saint whose name has since been inscribed in the Lord's "BOOK OF LIFE."
It was a pleasant but respectful conversation. After all, the central theme of the gospel, is that Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins, and all have sinned.
D. B.
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