There are some serious sins in the world today. Maybe you learn about these in the news, or in television documentaries. Or, maybe you know these evil practices even better than that, because you have engaged in some pretty terrible things yourself.1
If you consider yourself a sinner (or, if you aren’t familiar with that term, maybe just someone who has done a lot of bad things…or really, really bad things), please read this verse below:
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
1 Timothy 1:15 NLT
This was written by someone named Paul, who had persecuted people for their faith, to the point of getting those believers killed for their beliefs. My point here is not to compare sins between Paul, you, or even me, though. The point is that Paul had committed serious offenses against God and against others, and by this point in his life, he had plenty of time to think about the evil that he had done in the past. Even more than that, once Paul discovered the truth about Jesus, and followed Him, Paul still continued to sin, even when he didn’t want to (see Romans 7:14-25).
Paul had a lot of time to think about how bad of a person he was. Maybe you have, too. That is a miserable way to life, but if you feel stuck here, please understand that this doesn’t have to define the rest of your days. In fact, your eternal destiny can still be Heaven, despite what you have done in the past.
Read what Paul wrote, next:
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16 NLT
Here, Paul makes it clear that even the worst sinners can receive eternal life. This includes “others” who seem to have done things even more heinous than we did, as well as ourselves, when we feel like the worst example of human beings in history. This forgiveness of God is extended to everyone, not just those who are “good” or even “pretty good”. (See Romans 5:6-11 to learn even more about this.)
So, if you think that you are too sinful to be saved, it turns out that you’re the perfect candidate for Jesus’ plan of forgiveness, salvation, and being brought into God’s family. Please take Jesus up on His offer today.
There are many places where you can learn about what God has to say about accepting this gift of salvation, including reading the Bible (God’s word), but here’s a summary from the web site of the church that I attend.
WE ALL NEED SAVED.
We believe salvation is an absolutely free and unearned gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) offered exclusively through Jesus (Acts 4:12). We believe salvation is available to every single person who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 1:16). We believe, as part of this process, God’s expectation is for us to express our declaration and decision of faith by repenting—turning away from sin—and being baptized (Acts 2:38).
I encourage you to take the steps of talking to Jesus and accepting Him as your Lord (putting Him in charge of your life) and Savior (trusting Him to pay for your sins – past, present, and future), as well as publicly standing up for this decision, repenting (trying to get out of past sinful practices, with God’s help), and being baptized (where another believer lowers you into water…and brings you back up – not just to get wet, but as part of your new life in Jesus).
In addition, you don’t just have to believe a single web site. Follow the Bible verses linked above, and read more details before and after the passages that are cited. Listen to what God tells you through the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit, to be sure that this is truth. When you trust Him, though, take the steps to let Him turn your life around.
If you’d like to learn more, let me know, or contact a local church or pastor who can walk you through what the Bible says about coming back to God. He is waiting for you.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
- I know that I have done much that I am ashamed of, but this is a personal topic, and when it comes to our own failings, a comparison to others often doesn’t help. ↩
Those Who Sin Differently 
Romans has to be one of my favorite books in the New Testament. I taught Romans to some pastors in India last year (and hope we can go this year, Lord willing) and marvelled at the goodness of God, the richness of his grace, the extent of his mercy and the generosity of his plan. One favorite passage (of many) is Romans 8:29-30 (ESV)
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” We go from sinners, condemned and unclean, to justified and even more than that, GLORIFIED. Amazing Grace!
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Yes, indeed! Romans 8:29&30 are seldom included with the frequently quoted Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) Yet, vv. 29-30 are the point being introduced by v. 28! What is “his purpose”? It is for us “to be conformed to the image of his Son, …”! Being so conformed (justified), and thus being “children of God” (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1, etc.), he will glorify us, his justified children, as he has his “only begotten” Son, Jesus. And that glorifies him! (John 17:1)
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