Family Reformation

Are you a “good” person according to God’s standards? And, if so, are you “good” enough to go to heaven?

Take this quick test…
Question 1 – Have you ever told a lie?
Question 2 – Have you ever stolen anything?
Question 3 – Have you ever looked at someone and had lustful thoughts?
Question 4 – Have you ever used “God,” “Jesus,” or “Christ,” as a curse word?
Question 5 – Have you given money to charity?
Question 6 – Have you gone to church regularly?
Question 7 – Have you made it a practice to read the Bible every day?
Question 8 – Have you ever broken the First Commandment? (The first of the Ten Commandments is: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”)

Points to ponder for each question…
Question 1 – Telling just one lie, according to God’s standards, makes you a “liar.” In Revelation 21:8, God says, “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire…” (You have violated the 9th Commandment)

Question 2 – Stealing just one thing (regardless of its size or monetary value), according to God’s standards, makes you a “thief.” In 1 Corinthians 6:10, God says, “No thieves… …shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (You have violated the 8th Commandment)

Question 3 – If you’ve ever looked with lust, according to God’s standards, you are an “adulterer.” Jesus said, “Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, God also says that no adulterers “…shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (You have violated the 7th Commandment)

Question 4 – If you’ve taken God’s name in vain, what you’ve done is take the name of the God who gave you life and used it as if it were a word to express disgust. That is one form of blasphemy. If you’ve done this, you are a “blasphemer.” In Leviticus 24:16, God says, “he that blasphemes the name of the LORD, shall surely be put to death…” (You have violated the 3rd Commandment)

Questions 5 to 7 – Some trust in their good works. But the Bible says, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) That means all our “good deeds” can never make up for the fact that we’ve broken God’s Holy Commandments. Think of it this way. If a person was guilty of a serious crime… such as murder… but he gave money to charity, does that make up for his crime? No. And in the same way, no amount of our so-called “good deeds” can ever wipe out our past sins against God.

Question 8 – The 1st of the Ten Commandments is “You shall have no other gods before me.” That means that we should love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. The Bible tells us that no one has kept this commandment (see Psalm 14:2-3). So, if you said you have not broken the First Commandment, you have also broken the 9th by lying.

How Did You Do?
This test showed you how you stand up when judged by just five of God’s Ten Commandments. So, if God judges you by that standard would you be innocent or guilty of breaking His Commandments? It has already been established that you would be guilty. Even if you were able to perfectly keep nine of the Ten Commandments for your entire life — you have broken the First Commandment – see question 8).

Please don’t be discouraged. I urge you to be patient and to continue on. My straightforwardness is motivated by a genuine concern for your soul.

Knowing that you are guilty of breaking God’s Commandments, do you think you would go to Heaven or Hell? While it may seem that God’s goodness will cause Him to overlook your sins, the opposite is actually true. Because God is so good He will make sure that every murderer, rapist and thief receives justice… but He won’t stop there. He will also make sure every liar, blasphemer, and adulterer is punished. The Bible is clear that the place of punishment for those who do not turn from their sins is Hell.

Does the fact that you’re headed for Hell concern you? It should. Jesus said that Hell is so horrible that you would be better off tearing out your own eyes than ending up there for all eternity (Mark 9:43-48).

Do you know what God did so that you wouldn’t have to spend eternity in Hell? He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, suffering the punishment that God’s justice demands. Then He rose from the grave, forever defeating death! The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

If you will repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus, God says he will forgive all your sins and grant you the gift of everlasting life. If you repent (that means to confess and forsake your sins) and put your trust in Jesus, then you will not have to suffer God’s justice in Hell because the payment for your crimes was made by Jesus on the cross.

Trust Jesus for your salvation today! If you are unsure what to pray, here is an example:

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared to hope.  I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross and offering forgiveness and new life.  Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord.  Amen

Perhaps you are still not sure. If you plan to continue investigating the claims of Christianity, consider praying this prayer:

Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth and the life.  If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are.  Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so.  Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise.  Amen.

And, if this has ministered to you, contact me! I am here to help and would like to give you some advice on living a life of fatih. You can reach me at our church.

Much of this was originally produced by Ray Comfort Ministires