The Bible has some very BAD NEWS and some very GOOD NEWS. First the bad news...
The Bible has some very bad news, and some very good news.
(Not everyone reads the Bible, but everyone has the right to know what it says.)
First, the bad news.
The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 14:12; Eccl. 12:14).1
The Bible says, “For there is no difference [between people]; for all have sinned.” (Romans 3:23). From Adolph Hitler to Mother Theresa, we have all, at times, deliberately ignored God and broken His Commandments. Have you ever lied, complained or insulted someone? That’s sin.
(1 John 3:4; James 2:10 & 4:17; Romans 14:23).2
The Bible says, “The soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4). Far worse than the body’s death is the soul’s death; the Bible’s “second death”, eternity in the fires of Hell. According to God, we all deserve it. (Matthew 5:22, Revelation 21:8, Romans 6:23).3
That is the bad news.
Now the good news.
The Bible says, “All have sinned.” There is one exception. The Bible says that Jesus Christ “…was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).
Because Jesus had no sin of his own, he could carry the full blame for every wrong that we have ever done. The Bible says that Jesus “bore our sins in his own body on the cross.” (1 Peter 2:24). He willingly died in our place, taking the full punishment for all our sins against God. (Isaiah 53:5,6; 2 Cor. 5: 21).4
The Bible says, “…that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”. (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). Jesus’ resurrection was the absolute proof that Jesus is the One who could pay for the worlds’ sins, then become the Judge of the whole world. (Acts 17:30-31; John 5:22-23).5
No other great teacher ever lived without sin, or died and rose again to pay for all wrongs. None even offered to. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father [to Heaven], but by me.” (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5).6
Because of Jesus, is everyone now forgiven and prepared for Heaven? NO.
Jesus said we can be completely forgiven for having ignored and disobeyed God; we can be assured of Heaven rather than Hell, by doing two things. “Repent, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15).
1. Repent. Decide to stop living life our own way and start living life God’s way. (Luke 13:3; Isaiah 55:7; Acts 3:19).7
2. Believe – the good news. Trust that Jesus died to pay for all our sins, then rose again from the dead. (John 3:16).8
Everyone has the right to know the good news, so they can either receive it or reject it. Ignoring it is rejecting it. There is no neutral position. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me.” (Matthew 12:30). We’re either forgiven through what Jesus did for us, or we’re still guilty. Which will you be if you die tonight? BT
References
1. Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
2. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
Romans 14:23 …for whatever is not of faith is sin.
3. Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, that … whoever shall say [to his brother], ‘You fool’, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Revelation 21:8 …and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. Isaiah 53:5a,6 But he [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities… All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2 Corinthians 5: 21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
5. Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent: because he has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance [proof] unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.
John 5:22-23 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father who has sent him.
6. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all…
7. Luke 13:3 [Jesus said] I tell you… except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
8. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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