Get Right With God?

What is it?

Sin is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character of God, or the of law God. The Greek word for sin (hamartia) comes from Greek roots meaning “missing the mark.” God’s moral standard is utter perfection. Sin is anything that misses the mark of God’s moral perfection.

Where is it in the Bible?

• According to Scripture, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).
• All sin is direct rebellion against God (Joshua 1:18).
• Anything you do that isn’t done as an act of faith in God is sin (Romans 14:23).
• Knowing what is right and not doing it is sin (James 4:17).
• All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – His standard of perfection (Romans 3:23).
• Sin entered our world with Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God (Genesis 3).

 Why is it significant?

• You cannot understand the solution unless you understand the problem.
• You cannot understand the cure unless you understand the diagnosis.
• You cannot understand God’s redemption for your life until you understand the sin that corrupts it.

What is it?

The penalty of sin is death, both here on earth and eternity in Hell to suffer the wrath of God.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Sin results in death because it deserves death (Romans 6:23).
• Everyone who is not righteous will go away into eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41,46).
• The fires of Hell are eternal (Mark 9:43).
• There is no rest day and night (Revelation 14:10-11).
• Hell offers no means of escape, rescue, or relief – no way out, ever (Revelations 22:11).

 Why is it significant?

• When God judges you by the standard of perfection, you will be found/judged guilty.
• No amount of good works can make up for the punishment you deserve.
• Like a good judge sentencing a convicted criminal, God will punish your rebellion against Him.

What is it?

If you repent of your sin and place your faith in Christ by trusting in His Word (the Bible), you reveal signs that you have been born again into a new life – an eternal life with God.

Where is it in the Bible?

• God was virgin born as a man, Jesus Christ (John 1:14; Matthew 1:23).
• He lived a perfect life, fulfilled the law by never sinning and doing everything that God commanded, and died on the cross as the perfect payment for the sins of those who would turn from their sin and trust in Him (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; Romans 3:21-26; 5:12-21).
• Jesus resurrected on the third day after His death, His sacrifice removing the divine wrath on us because of our sins by bearing it for us (1 Corinthians 15:4; Acts 2:24; Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24).
• You can have a righteous standing before God by believing in Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9).
• If you are in Christ, you are granted a new heart with desires to please God and everlasting life (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:16).

Why is it significant?

• When sin entered the world, God’s redeeming love entered and overcame it.
• Either Christ paid the penalty for your sin or you will bear your punishment in Hell forever.

What is it?

The Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means “to have another mind.” It means to have a mind and heart that acknowledges your brokenness and hatred for sin to the point of forsaking it and having faith in Christ by trusting in His Word (the Bible). Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Though two distinct concepts, they cannot occur independently from each other.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Genuine repentance pleads with the Lord to forgive and deliver from the burden of sin, the fear of judgment, and Hell (Luke 18:13).
• Repentance is necessary for salvation (Acts 11:18; 2 Peter 3:9).
• True repentance happens in the heart and results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8).
• God grants repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).
• Repentance and faith in Christ are two sides of the same coin (2 Timothy 2:25; Acts 20:21)

Why is it significant?

• Salvation is given to those who repent of sin and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior.
• If you are not grieved that your sin has offended God, you need to plead with God to grant you repentance and brokenness over your sin.
• Repentance does not only happen once—repentance continues over a lifetime, as God continues to reveal your remaining sin and purify you.
• Today is the day to repent and have faith in Christ because you are not promised tomorrow.

What is it?

To have faith in Christ means to trust in the finished work of Christ to the point of forsaking sin and believing in the sacrifice for sins that Christ made on your behalf as being sufficient to make you righteous before God. Saving faith believes in the promises of God. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Though two distinct concepts, they cannot occur independently from each other.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Saving faith is the gift of God. He stirs your heart to believe (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• True faith is evidenced by good works. Faith manifests itself in action and it comes as a result of God’s work in you (Ephesians 2:10). Good works do not produce faith, nor are they a prerequisite to saving faith.
• True saving faith involves repentance from your sin and a complete trust in the work of Christ to save you from sin and make you righteous (Acts 11:18; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
• To have faith in Jesus, you must have faith in Him exclusively for your salvation and reject all other claims. You cannot trust in Jesus and anything else. You must trust in Jesus alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
• Repentance and faith in Christ are two sides of the same coin (2 Timothy 2:25; Acts 20:21).

Why is it significant?

• Without faith in Jesus Christ, you will be found guilty before God on Judgment Day.
• If you have faith in Christ, you are a child of God.
• Faith in Christ does not only happen once—your faith in Him continues over a lifetime, as you trust Him to lead you every day.
• Today is the day to repent and have faith in Christ because you are not promised tomorrow.

What is it?

Following Christ is a difficult invitation because it involves a transfer of the ownership of your life from you to God. The sinner must be willing to give up all that he has, and all that he is, to receive Christ.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Following Christ may result in lost relationships with family and friends who try to influence you away from Christianity and cause you to sin (Luke 14:26).
• You are called to give up any leisure, pastime, hobby, or special interest that steals your devotion from Christ (Luke 14:33; 1 John 2:15).
• No one who abandons following Jesus Christ is fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. God’s ways must be followed over your ways and Jesus Christ must be your greatest pleasure and treasure (Luke 9:62).
• You cannot love money and love God (Matthew 6:24).
• You must count the cost of denying your sinful, self-centered, and rebellious self and following Jesus Christ (Mark 8:34; Ephesians 4:22).
• The reward Jesus promises in Heaven far outweigh the sacrifices in this life (Mark 10:30; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 3:8; 1 Peter 2:20).

Why is it significant?

• To come to Jesus Christ is to reject yourself and want His salvation so much that you will make any sacrifice for Him.
• Jesus’ promised reward is far greater than any present suffering.

What is it?

The Church is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. It is most precious to Christ and is expressed through local gatherings to advance and grow them in their walk with Jesus.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Believers in Jesus are commanded to gather together and encourage each other to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 11:18-20).
• Every believer is commanded to be under the protection and nurture of the leadership of the local church (Hebrews 13:7,17).
• The church is where believers hear God’s Word being preached and are called into obedience and action through encouragement (1 Timothy 4:13).
• The church provides mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14).
• Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Why is it significant?

• Church is where you can worship God, be taught from His Word, and have relationships with other believers.
• Active involvement in your local church is imperative to living a life without compromise.

What is it?

Baptism is a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Through water immersion, the believer proclaims their death to sin and their new life in Christ.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit is commanded to every believer of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
• The responsibility to baptize is given to the church (Acts 2:38-42).
• Baptism is by water immersion (Acts 8:36-39). No other form of baptism is found in Scripture, and thus baptism by immersion is the only acceptable form.
• Baptism symbolizes faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Jesus Christ and your union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to new life (Romans 6:1-11).
• Your fellowship and identification with the Body of Christ is demonstrated through baptism (Acts 2:41-42).

Why is it significant?

• Baptism demonstrates that the heart and the soul of man desperately needs cleansing from sin.
• Baptism demonstrates an obedient heart towards Jesus Christ.
• New believers in Jesus Christ should desire to be baptized as soon as possible.