Bad News for Good People, Good News for Bad People

BAD NEWS FOR GOOD PEOPLE

Jesus said: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17)

You may be surprised to learn that the Bible contains much bad news for people who would consider themselves to be good. The following verses are examples of this:

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6

There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Romans 3:10,11

All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13

God requireth that which is past. Ecclesiastes 3:15

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. Titus 3:5

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His [God’s] sight. Romans 3:20

God ... now commandeth all men every where to repent. Acts 17:30

Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3

GOOD NEWS FOR BAD PEOPLE

“Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6)

You may be equally surprised to know that there are other Scriptures which show that there is much good news for bad people. Here are a few:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31

Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Perhaps you are one of those people who is trying to be good enough to merit heaven when you die. You may be seeking to “do the best you can” or “live by the golden rule.” These things are all well in their place, but we must tell you plainly that the Bible has nothing but bad news for you. Heaven cannot be gained that way. “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and are under condemnation and must have Someone to save and justify them. Sinners are unable to save or even help to save themselves.

But if on the other hand you know that you are guilty before God and lost and without a doubt—going to hell—then the Bible surely holds good news for you. Christ Jesus died for you on Calvary’s cross that you might be saved, and He offers a pardon for all your sins. If you will, just as you are, look by faith to Him, you can know the forgiveness of your sins and have the assurance of eternal life.

Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

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