Guilty Verdict

"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
James 2:10

I heard this verse today and have been thinking about it since. GUILTY. GUILTY. GUILTY.

Apart from Christ, I was guilty.

What is this law we are guilty of? It is God's Holy standard. This means if you have broken one single law in the Bible, you are guilty of breaking all of them.

Not that all sins are equal, but all sins condemn us. There aren't degrees of guilty. One single sin tips the scale.

Many people think they are "good" or that they can undo their bad works by doing good works.

Well, not according to God's Word. That is a scary assumption to make when you are thinking of eternity. And, how good is good enough? How can you ever know? What if you are one good work short? I think we have a really difficult time seeing our guilt because our culture tells us we are inherently good.

The truth is if you have EVER broken one of God's laws you are guilty. And even if you think you never have, there is even worse news... we were born with a sin-tainted blood line thanks to Adam and Eve. That is the BAD news.

Here is the GOOD news.

"This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

1 John 4:10

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

John 3:16,17

Christ, out of His great love for you, came to reverse this verdict. He lived a sinless life in order

to die in your (and my) place. His life and death were the only Sacrifice that could give us the opportunity to be eternally forgiven.

Wasn't there some other way?

No. Or that cup in the garden would have passed.

"He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Matthew 26:39

There was no other way, there is no other name...

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [apart from Jesus] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

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I know these posts are heavy. But I think time is short. I know our days are numbered and until my last number, I am to share the gospel and speak of God's great love for you.

I realized on Nov 1, 1996, that I was a sinner and was in great need of a Savior. I am still a sinner and still have great need for my Savior but that is when I was 'born again'.

"...Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

John 3:3

When I gave my life to Christ, it really felt like I had been 'born again'. As dumb as this sounds, the grass was greener, the flowers prettier, the moon brighter, the colors more vivid. I also gained a new family- the family of God. I started going to Church and have made amazing friendships with other believers during the last 12 years. I was, at that moment, declared INNOCENT. Because of HIM. Because, at that moment, I was 'hidden in Him'.

"...and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Colossians 3:3

I do not fear judgement day. I know, by God's grace and free gift to me, I am INNOCENT before God. Now that is AMAZING GRACE!

How can we not share what God has done for us? and what He desires to do for others?

Run to Him. Ask Him to forgive you and make you clean.

If you do that, please email me so I can help you get started in your relationship with Christ.

tsblackiston@comcast.net

"For we will all stand before God's judgement seat"

Romans 14:10