The Next Step...

If there is a God, and Jesus did rise from the dead...

How does this affect me?

According to the book of Romans in the New Testament of the Bible:

1.     All have sinned... “For all have sinned and fall short...” (Falling short means we don’t measure up to God’s standard) - Romans 3:23

2.     The result of sin is eternal death... “For the wages of sin is death...” – Romans 6:23a

3.     But God gives eternal life... “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus ...” – Romans 6:23b

4.     Jesus died for our sins... “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

5.     Jesus makes us right with God... “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Justification makes us innocent or blameless before God) – Romans 4:25

6.     Confession is good for the soul... “If you confess 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

7.     All we need to do is ask... “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

In summary: None of us is without sin. Because of this, we deserve death for eternity. But God loved us even while we were sinners and took on human form, Jesus Christ . He accepted our punishment by dying for our sins. When Jesus resurrected from the dead, he defeated sin and death, paying the penalty for our sin. This is why he can now offer us eternal life if we put our trust in him.

Illustration: It’s as if God were a judge in a courtroom, and you were caught speeding. There is no question to your guilt. You admit it. Now, it’s all over except for the judgment and penalty. The gavel comes down and the judge rules that you must pay a fine of $200, which you know you don’t have. It’s beginning to look hopeless. Suddenly, the judge steps from behind the bench, and removes his robe. He reaches into his pocket, takes out his checkbook and writes a check to pay the fine. “Thanks, Dad,” you say gratefully. The judge had to exact a penalty, but he also was willing to pay it on your behalf.