What will you do with your sin?

What will you do with your sin?  (To download and print this message in tract form go to Free Bible Tracts page.)

It is rare to meet a person who claims to have never sinned. The Bible tells us that anyone who would make such a claim is a liar.

Even those who argue against God’s laws, or our own civil laws cannot escape the one law that condemns them of their sin- that is their own conscience.

“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves” Romans 2:14  

The truth is, we know that we have all sinned. Often, we attribute those sins to the foolishness of youth; but if we’re honest we  have to admit that we were never merely victims of youthful lust. We have all at some point enjoyed our sin, even loving it at times.

Despite our most sincere desires to repent and turn from our sins, the power that sin has over us is so strong that we cannot entirely cease from sin. We continue to sin in our thoughts and in our lives everday.

Even if we could stop sinning, the debt we owe for our sin does not go away when we turn from it. Much like credit, ceasing to charge on our account does not erase the debt we already owe.

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” Romans 2:5  

Our sin debt continues to accumulate until the day we die, unless we find a way to pay for it. If we die with that debt of sin still on our account, we will be separated from God for all eternity in a place called hell.

How can we be forgiven of our sins?

Can we do good things to pay for the sins? Many people believe that if our good outweighs our bad, that God will forgive our sins and allow us into heaven; but what does the Bible say?

Since we are sinful, even the good things we try to do are stained with our sin. To God, these works of righteousness that we offer are only filthy and sinful.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” Isaiah 64:6  

 Only a good person can do good works. Our works can never pay for our sins. The Bible tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

 “…without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

God required the blood of a sinless sacrifice. Only the blood of someone who had never sinned (who is good) can cover our sins.

Jesus Christ, the lamb without spot or blemish. shed his own blood to pay the price that we could not pay. He suffered and died in our place and then rose again the third day conquering death to pay our debt of sin.

Can we add our works to help Jesus Pay for Our Sins? 

God’s word tells us that we are saved by God’s GRACE through FAITH in what Christ has done on our behalf.

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8 & 9

Grace means unmerited or unearned favor. If we earn it, then it is no longer grace.

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Rom. 11:6

In other words, adding our works to God’s grace nullifies grace and makes salvation no longer possible.
 
We are saved- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

Salvation is a free gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ, apart from our own efforts. Trying to earn salvation by our works, means it is no longer by God’s grace.

If righteousness could come through our works, or through our obedience to God’s law, then what need would there be for Christ to have died?

“… for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Gal. 2:21
When we receive Christ as our Savior, our penalty for sin has been paid. God then sees us as righteous because of what Christ has done on our behalf. We who are unrighteous are counted as righteous because of Christ. Forgiveness is then ours as well as eternal life in heaven.

How do we receive this forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ?

The Bible says that we repent toward God and put our faith in Jesus Christ alone. That means that we must humble ourselves by acknowledging and turning from our sins against God, and renounce our efforts to save ourselves, putting our faith instead in the only one who can save us- Jesus Christ.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

To call upon the name of the Lord means so much more than merely calling out his name or reciting a prayer. It means believing the message of Christ, embracing it, and then naturally, professing our faith in it.

To confess Christ means to turn to God and be reconciled to him according to his plan for our salvation through faith Jesus Christ, confessing publicly through our words and through our lives, which unashamedly associate ourselves with Christ.

It is essentially entering into a covenant relationship with Christ, taking on his name as a Christian.

Jesus has already paid the price for your sins. Will you trust him to be your Savior?

If you have believed the message of Christ today, find a Bible-believing Church, be baptized as a testimony of your faith, and read your Bible every day.