For many people the thought of the ten commandments brings a message of what not to do rather than a message of what to do. Many people understand what they shouldn’t do rather than what they should do. However, the ten commandments was not so much intended as a list of what not to do, it is intended to bring awareness of what is sinful. Read Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
Now for everyone, people know what is wrong. People know that it is wrong to lie about someone, or bring false accusations against them; it is wrong to be envious of another person’s possessions; and of course people know it is wrong to steal, commit adultery, and murder another person. We all understand this right?
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:19 “since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” In other words, you know what is wrong, it is obvious, and God has made it obvious to everyone. So why do we need a list of what we should already know to be wrong? In this world of “disclosure” or “waivers,” many people declare “you should have told me this.” And if we have not been told what is wrong many people feel they are not responsible, or try to rationalize that if everyone else does it that makes it alright.
Therefore, even if we know an action is wrong and many people say they are not responsible or if they were not informed is it wrong? Really? The apostle Paul continues in this awareness in Romans 1:20 “for since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities––his eternal power and divine nature––have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
So if we live lives in sin and are without excuse how are we to reconcile ourselves with God? How can we possibly face a holy God with our sinful lives? Answer, we can’t. Our best days are not good enough for a holy God. The apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
However there is good news, and it is the gospel of Jesus Christ! The Bible as you have just read clearly states that we are all sinners, everyone of us. Therefore, we need a substitution for our sins in order that we may be acceptable and seen without sin before a holy God. This substitution is faith in Jesus Christ, John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
Those who reject Christ are given over to their sins. In other words if you reject the Son (Jesus Christ) God gives you over to living a life of sin. Your opportunity in life is short, what has been made plain to you is that we are all dead in our sins, but the grace of Jesus Christ is life and is abundant and available to everyone. Jesus came to save you from your sins and that you might have eternal life, but in order to do that you need to give your life to Christ. When you give your life to Christ you begin to live a life in what is right rather than living a life of what is wrong. Give your life to Christ, repent, and accept Him as the Lord of your life in order that you may begin to truly live rather than die to a life of sin.
If it is your desire to come to Christ I invite you to view these simple steps to peace with God. Steps to Peace with God
