Am I too sinful to have eternal life in heaven?
Your sin can be forgiven no matter how rotten you think you are. Every human who ever walked the face of this earth has had to come to grips with guilt. Just remember that all sin is transgression against God. Everyone has sinned, (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;) Sinners know that they are at odds with, and owe a debt, to God. If they are honest. The truth is, nobody wants to be found guilty or be convicted. When we have done something terrible most everyone wants a (do-over) or wished it had never happened. No matter the sin, there is forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Even after the debt of sin has been canceled, the guilt of what we have done may exist and cause one to question God’s payment plan. Consider the following:
- Our clean record (redemption) begins with hearing the Gospel.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV
- Believing the Gospel in the Word which is Jesus Christ
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. KJV
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. KJV
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV
- Acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. KJV
- Repenting of our sins
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV
- Obeying the Gospel call of the Lord Jesus Christ and no other Gospel
2Thes. 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. KJV
Gal. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. KJV
- Being baptized so that your slate is cleaned and the do-over begins.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV
Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. KJV
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. KJV
- Knowing that after all of this, when we sin we are able to ask forgiveness and another do-over begins again.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. KJV
The Good News is there is forgiveness of sin if we find that way to forgiveness through the Word of God. The Good News is, no matter how awful we think that we are there is redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Even someone who had a hand in killing Christians in the first century found redemption for his sins. This individual went on to be the poster child for the grace of God. As a result of the conversion of this man churches were started all over the known world at that time. This man was no other than the apostle Paul. It is possible that this same apostle considered the memory of his past to be a thorn in his flesh, a reminder to keep him humble. When asked that this thorn be removed he was told by our Lord that His grace, His forgiveness was sufficient. If our Lord’s grace is sufficient for Paul, it can be sufficient for us as well.
2Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. KJV
Timothy Anderson