THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING GOOD AND BEING FORGIVEN.

2/27/2020

There are many things that we struggle with as believers, but perhaps none so heart wrenching as the truth about what must happen for us to be saved from sin and our old selves and truly enter into the Kingdom of God. I have had multiple discussions with people on a range of circumstances revolving around good people, good actions, and multiple times the question of “ How could a loving God let bad things happen to Good people, and why would a loving God ever sentence Good people to be apart from Him and suffer the torment of Hell’ ? It just seems inconceivable that Good people might not have the promise of Heaven A person might be super nice to everyone. A person might be generous and give a lot to charity. A person might genuinely show love toward everyone they meet and interact with. Would God really not let them into His Kingdom ?

In my men’s group, we happened to stumble into this very discussion as we contemplated how we as Christian men were meant to deal with death and the loss of someone close to us that had no relationship with Jesus. When confronted with a loss, most of us refer to the person being in a better place. A place where suffering on earth and the struggle of death has ended. They are at peace….in Heaven. God has them in His hands. The truth and power of our discussion came when we all turned to listen to what our brother Bob had to say. He had a friend who was in the the middle of a fight with cancer and was seeking answers, but really didn’t know God and hadn’t put in much effort to examine the possibility, because life was good. He was a good man, a loved and respected man, and he always imagined that that was enough. The dreaded truth of his own mortality threw a huge challenge into his entire person. i am dying. I’m afraid. What happens to me ? Is there anything beyond my life here ? I’m a good man. Surely if there is a God, that counts, right ? The words that our friend shared with him are something that moved me deeply in my spirit. “ There is a difference between being Good, and being Forgiven”. “God sent His Son and sacrificed Him on the cross so that you might be forgiven". “Only through Jesus can you enter into the Kingdom of God”.

FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. Romans 3:23

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD Romans 6:23

IF YOU DECLARE WITH YOUR MOUTH “JESUS IS LORD”, AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. Romans 10:9-10

I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. John 14:6

Bob didn’t see his friend for a few weeks, and things had gone from bad to much worse. It is truly hard to watch those we know suffer. His friend was on death’s doorstep, and yet as Bob approached him, his friend’s face lit up in a joy that was truly amazing. You see, he had given his life to Jesus ! He had confessed his sin, and had become a son of the Eternal King and a saint in His Kingdom. Death had no hold on him, and he was anticipating his eternal life with wonder and peace, and even joy. He was a good man, and he was a forgiven man, and he understood the difference.

What we realized in our discussion was that being good or being not so good is of very little consequence if you don’t know Christ. Those two behaviors can only lead to the same conclusion if you are not saved by the blood and resurrection of Jesus. But once you are saved, good or not so good, a whole new reality and life awaits you. You are now His, and your behavior has only one way to go….into the righteousness and holiness of Christ. OUR ROLE AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS WHO KNOW HIM AND HAVE HIS FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS AND HIS RULERSHIP AS OUR LORD IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE THAT CROSSES OUR PATH KNOWS WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE OFFERS ! If we miss that opportunity to share the gift of forgiveness and life, we have not fulfilled who Jesus has asked us to be. Every chance we get, we need to be dropping seeds of Jesus, planting seeds of Jesus, watering seeds of Jesus and nurturing those who need Jesus. That is our purpose and our calling. To be disciples !

GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Matthew 28:19

Take a long look at the people in your life. I have an amazing family, and a lot of friends….but are they forgiven ? Do they know Jesus as their Savior, Lord, and King ? It is time to get busy sharing the Gospel and making sure they are with you in the Kingdom of God. Selah. Thanks Lombo/Peace/JAA