For many people, the word sin is offensive and archaic, but this is because they are looking at things from man’s point of view. Sin is something that God sees and it describes anything that falls short of God’s perfect standard or law. God has made His standards known to us in the Bible and consequently we can find our true state by looking into the “mirror” of His law. Do you consider yourself a good (or “sin-free”) person? Ask yourself these simple questions to find out.

Have you kept the Ten Commandments? Have you always loved God above all else? Or have you made a god to suit yourself? Most of us serve no god but ourselves. Have you ever used God’s name to curse? Have you honoured your father and mother? Have you hated anyone? God considers hatred to be as murder. Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman with lust has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Have you ever looked with lust? Have you stolen anything? (The value of the item is irrelevant). Have you ever lied? Have you ever desired what belongs to others? The Bible warns that the Day will come when God will punish all murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, adulterers, etc. He will even judge our words and thoughts. So, on Judgment Day will you be found guilty or innocent? Perhaps you think that God is good, and He will overlook your sins. But it is His goodness that will make sure that murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, etc. receive justice. Or perhaps you think that your good deeds will outweigh the bad on that Day, but the fact that a criminal gives to charities has nothing to do with his crime. All the good works in the world will not bribe God to forgive your sins. Every sin will be punished. No wonder the Bible speaks of the curse of sin!

No human being has ever led a sinless life – except Jesus (1 Peter 2:22). Mohammed and Buddha certainly made no claim to perfection. Even Mother Teresa had her off days. Through this perfect man, Jesus, God the Father enacted a radical plan for dealing once and for all with the curse of sin. Jesus satisfied the demands of justice by taking our punishment upon Himself. To quote the Good Book, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might be made right with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the good news!

The Bible says we have all turned away from God's love. The first step to getting right with God then is to turn back. This is called repentance. If you would be free from the power of sin in your life, you need to repent and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Master (John 3:3,18 Acts 3:19,16:31). Ask God to change your heart and read the Bible daily to learn about what pleases Him. But note this – you are NOT saved by studying the Bible (John 5:39), by being religious (Mark 7:8), or by doing good works (John 6:29). The mirror of the law shows us our true state, but mirrors are no good for cleaning ourselves! Salvation is found in Jesus alone (Acts 4:12). If you confess with your mouth that He is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

For further information, go to www.livingwaters.com and click on "Save Yourself Some Pain." There you will find important principles that will help you grow in your faith.