Salvation

The Bible teaches that God is holy and set apart from everything and everyone (1 Samuel 2:2) and He is perfectly just and righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17, Deuteronomy 32:4). 

In 1 Peter 1:16 we are commanded to "be holy as God is holy". Matthew 5:48 also commands us saying that "we must be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect." God's holiness and perfection is the standard for our lives. We now know that God is holy and perfect. The question is, are we? 

God views sin in a legal manner (Colossians 2:14) the way the judicial system views guilt. God is the judge, and we are either guilty (sinful), or not guilty (sinless). The truth is that we all are guilty of sin and have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The Bible teaches us that we are all born sinful by nature (Ephesians 2:1-2, Romans 3:10-12). Because we are sinful both by nature and choice, justice for our crimes (sin) is necessary to fulfill God's holiness. This justice, or penalty of sin, is death. Without a way to pay that penalty, we are left eternally separated from God. But there is hope in Jesus!

God, in His grace, love, and mercy, has made a way for salvation. God sent his only son (John 3:16) to die for us, paying the penalty of sin on our behalf and reconciling us back to a Holy God. This sacrifice that Jesus paid for us is complete. It never has to be redone. 

The Gospel always requires a response. Not responding, is a response. The Bible teaches that if we confess our sin before God, repent (to turn away) of that sin, and believe in (put our trust in) Christ, will be saved (Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38-39).  

That's good news!!