Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22

If all we did here at Reformed For Life was to tell you that abortion is wrong, we would still be leaving out something of great and inestimable value. We do what we do not only because we want to save lives on earth, but to proclaim the good news of hope and eternal salvation; salvation for all who are wounded and broken, for all who are in despair, for all who are looking for meaning and satisfaction but have found nothing but emptiness, salvation for those tormented by guilt, salvation for those who live in fear, salvation for those in bondage to destructive lifestyles, this salvation we proclaim to all who would hear: Jesus Christ is your salvation.

Man in Sin

The Bible tells us that we all by nature have some awareness of who God is and what he requires of us. But we wilfully suppress that knowledge, and disobey. This the Bible calls sin. We know examples of what sin is, ignorance cannot be our defence. Lying, stealing, murder, adultery, these are all sins according to the Bible, and most of the world would readily say with us that these are wrong. But what does the Bible actually say about sin? The Bible calls sin the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). But what is the law? It is not the law of the land, but the law of God, summarised for us in the words:

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:37-39

That is, love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbour (here referring to anyone and everyone) as yourself. Have you, at all points in your life, obeyed these two commands fully? Have you never entertained thoughts of hatred or envy at someone else, or sought your own gain or glory at the expense of another? If the thought of God ever entered your mind, was it one of worship and adoration, or disdain and contempt? It is impossible that you, dear reader, are without sin in your life. The Bible tells us plainly that There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). Not you, not me, not the most perfect and upright individual you can think of right now. We are all sinners and guilty before the God of Heaven. On this point all men are equal.

The problem of sin is the root of all problems in life. First, there are the natural consequences of immoral acts: lying, backbiting, gossiping lead to fractured relationships and emotional pain. Substance abuse with drugs or alcohol lead to ill health, broken families, and sometimes even death. A life of violence is a life of peril and very easily cut short. Sexual misconduct tears families apart, and sexual promiscuity can lead to a whole host of illnesses, both physical and mental. Sloth leads to poverty and deprivation. Pride, greed, or envy can consume a person inside. And these are just the effects of our own sin on ourselves; we suffer much as well because of the sins of others. This is all too real in parts of the world where violence and anarchy rule.

Second, this world is fallen because of sin. God is the creator of the whole universe, this earth and all in it included. It was good; no, it was very good. But because of sin, because of our wicked rebellion against the infinitely good God, the earth is under a curse: extreme weather, natural disasters, these are all warnings that all is not well with humanity, and precursors of the great and final judgment to come.

Finally, and most importantly, there is the chief consequence of sin: death. This is not simply referring to the end of physical life; from the moment we are brought into existence into this world, we are liable to disease and injury. Countless lives are cut short in the prime of youth, and many live their lives struggling with a chronic defect in their bodies either since birth or from some illness or injury sustained in the past. Then, even if you avoided all injury or disease, there is the inevitability of old age. Our bodies must deteriorate until we return to the dust.

For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

James 4:14

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10

None can escape death as it is the consequence of sin on the entirety of humanity. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but death here is not simply physical death, though that is certainly included. Physical death is not the end of existence. Do you think that there would be no reckoning for all the wrong that we have done? The Bible solemnly teaches: it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Indeed, we will all be judged, and if our sins are not atoned for, we must be punished, as is only right for a good God to do. Dear reader, be warned, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

The Good News of Jesus Christ

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

Truly God is good! He could have left us to perish in our sins. He would have done no injustice in wiping us all out and punishing each and every one of us in hell for eternity. But he loved the world. He loved the world so much that he gave his Son, Jesus Christ. His deeds are recorded in the Bible by eyewitnesses. He came in the flesh, as a man, and lived a life of perfect obedience to God, which none of us could ever hope to do. He died on the cross and suffered the punishment for sins and rose again from the dead in triumph. Yes, God the Father was pleased to punish his dear Son for the sin of people such as us, wicked and rebellious haters of God. God the Son gave himself willingly to terrible suffering and agonies of hell for those who clamoured for his death, and for people like us who would have done the same to him. Why would God give his Son for the good of his enemies? Is this not love? People who would sooner have nothing to do with God would still say that God is someone who is loving. But we would never understand the love of God until we understand the love of God in giving Jesus Christ, and the love of Christ in giving himself for us:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

What did the death of Christ accomplish? He died to satisfy God’s justice and cancel our debt of sin toward God:

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:13-14

He died to deliver us from the power of sin and death:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:14-15

Jesus is alive today, in heaven, truly man and truly God, he is the only one who can save us:

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all,

1 Timothy 2:5-6

All who trust in Christ will have forgiveness and everlasting life: this is the promise of God. In vain will you seek another way, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) In no name than the Name of Jesus Christ will we find safety. He is your salvation, and he will be everything you will ever need in this life or the next. Jesus said,

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Turn now to Christ, sinner, turn now and delay no longer. For why should you perish? The Lord God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Why will you not turn from the way that leads to death? Do you think, perhaps, that you are too far gone? Do you think that you are so great a sinner that Christ will not accept you? But Christ died for sinners just like you. He did not come for righteous people (there are none anyway), he came to call sinners to repentance. It does not matter what you’ve done. There is no sinner so bad that Christ cannot save. All who come to Christ will be welcomed. So come right now. Come to Christ, for he is your salvation. Believe in Jesus Christ this day and turn from your sin.