Truth that Never Gets Old

“…Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are history’s most important events. If you have not received Jesus as your personal Saviour, here is an exercise to help you see their importance and your need for Him. If you have received Jesus as Saviour, it can help you to love and appreciate Him all the more.

Go to a place to be alone. Take a pen and paper and write down all the sins you have ever committed that you can think of. Write down whatever comes to mind. You may remember childhood or teenage sins. Write them down. You may recall really embarrassing sins. Write them down. Writing down some sins may remind you of other sins. Write them down. No one will see the list but God and you.

Have you done unkind, dishonest, immoral, or even illegal things? Looked at things you should not have? Lied or spoken unkindly? Sworn or used God’s name in vain? What about your thoughts? Proverbs 24:9 says, “The thought of foolishness is sin:” Have you indulged in hateful, vulgar, or indecent thoughts? Things you would not want people to know about? Write them all down.

Writing your sins down can be a humiliating exercise, but imagine how awful it would be to stand before God and hear Him name your sins. Now think of this verse: “For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23) The things you have done make you deserving of death. Your works or religion cannot undo or atone for your sins, and without forgiveness, your fate is eternity in hell: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)

Now think of this passage: “Who [Jesus] his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” (1 Peter 2:24) Look at your list. Jesus, God the Son, suffered a slow, brutal death for every one of those sins on your list, as well as the many you likely hadn’t thought of. Jesus did it for you because He loves you: “…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

In fact, Jesus’ death paid the price for every person who has ever lived: “And that he died for all,” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Hebrews 12:10 also says Jesus’ death on the cross paid completely for sins: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” We also know “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) There is no one whom Jesus doesn’t love, didn’t die for, and doesn’t want to save.

Jesus was buried and rose from the dead the third day, alive! “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” (Revelation 1:18) John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” When a person receives Jesus as Saviour, he or she becomes a child of God and all sins are forgiven forever! “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Colossians 1:14)

Hebrews 12:2 tells believers to be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” For any number of reasons, living for the Lord can be challenging. Yet no matter how long you have known Jesus as Saviour, the truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection never gets old. One great way to renew your strength is to “look unto Jesus:” to spend time thinking of the Lord’s sacrifice for you.

Have you received Jesus as Saviour? Are you sure you’ll be in heaven? If you want to know more, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 9/13/2023

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822