Key Points
- No one is perfect - all have sinned and are separated from God.
- We all need forgiveness
- The basis for forgiveness is not what we do (i.e. good works), but receiving what
Jesus has done for us
- Forgiveness is s gift, but must be received.
- The result is that we are no longer condemned but have peace with God
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Introduction
The 6th and final chapter of Life Questions simply asks: Can I be forgiven and accepted?
If Jesus can reach out to a Samaritan woman or the thief on the cross, he can accept
you. If he can invite fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes and thieves to join
him in paradise, he has a place for you. But we must understand a few basic tenets:
- None of us is perfect. We have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of
our living God.
- We all need His forgiveness. If we forgive those who sin against us, Jesus will
forgive us our sins as well. Remember, the basis of forgiveness is not found in
what we do, but rather in receiving what Jesus has done for us. Perhaps, the greatest
example of forgiveness is chronicled in the Gospel of Luke where a dying Jesus says,
“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”
- Forgiveness is a gift that not only must be offered by God, but it must be received
by us. And we receive God’s forgiveness by trusting in Christ.
- The result is that we are no longer condemned, but have peace with God.
Life’s Questions: you’ve heard most of them before. But perhaps not with God’s perspective
added. By accepting this challenge, you are demonstrating your desire to live a
life filled with love for others, following the examples of Christ. Does that sound
relevant to you? If your answer is YES, then you have just answered the question
as to whether the Bible is relevant. By leading your fellow man down the narrow
path, you are delighting our Savior.
As Hebrews 13:16
says, “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for
such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Today more than ever before, men’s heads
are filled with voices telling us how to be real men. And most of these messages
give us conflicting signals to be sure. So where do we go for the answers? It’s
up to you to dig deep into your soul and into God’s Word to find the man God wants
you to be. He’s there. You just need to seek him with your whole heart. I think
you’ll find Operation Timothy one of the most powerful tools for accomplishing that
task.