Teaching the world a method for studying God's Word
to learn and comprehend the meaning of Scripture
DWJD Ministries = doing what Jesus did
12 "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
- Matthew 6:12
fig. 3
How to be Saved (Step Six)
Step Six
Step Six involves acknowledging that your sin created a debt. It's the same when you purchase an automobile on credit. Your signature on the contract means you agree to pay your obligation. The company sells you a car, and you agree to make payments until the debt is paid in full. The word debt is defined as 'a state of being obligated to pay.' God wants us to understand that our sin does indeed matter. It doesn't just disappear like the fading sound of an outbound train. It never blows away in the wind. Sin sticks with us until our debt is paid.
The really bad news is that we can only pay our sin debt one way: with our life. And not just our mortal or physical life--no. We can only pay it with our eternal life. The definition of eternal death is an eternity away from God. That is why I say that our sin really matters. Our sin generates a debt. A debt which we can only satisfy with our eternal lives. But, there is good news. God's eventual goal is to get each and every one of us to repent of our sin. But, how can He begin to do that, unless we first admit that we have a sin debt problem?
Most have heard the adage: "It's not what you say--but what you do." This is because action speaks much louder than words. Well, God loves us so much, that He sent His Son Jesus, down to earth, for the sole purpose of dying for humanity. This action demonstrates God's love towards us. Perhaps even more amazing, it that He did it while we were yet unrepentant sinners. (See fig 1.) Everyone has sinned with one exception: Jesus Christ. That list includes every other human being ever born. The Bible teaches that sin is passed down through the father. All earthly fathers are sinners. The difference is Jesus had God as His father.
God the Father is sinless. Therefore, Jesus did not receive sin from His father. That means He had no sin at His birth. Remember, it is our sin that makes us incompatible with a righteous and holy God. Recall from back in step 3, that everyone has sin, and falls short of God's standard. [Romans 3:23] That means, without some serious help, we cannot ever be with God. The Bible teaches that the consequences of our sin is eternal death (See fig. 2). The important point to learn is we must acknowledge that we owe God a debt. That's what I mean when I say we cannot get to God on our own. Someone first had to pay our sin debt. That someone is Jesus Christ. He was the One who did what we are unable to do on our own.
It all begins with us acknowledging that we have a sin debt. It doesn't matter whether you understand how it works or not. I'm not sure that human understanding can truly comprehend that part of God's forgiveness. Some things we have not been given the capacity to fully understand. But remember, God is not asking you to pay the debt. He's just asking that you admit your sin created one. Jesus, in His LORD's prayer, instructs us to forgive the debt of others, as God forgives our debt (see fig. 3). The word for debt is opheilemata[off-if-FLAY-ma-tah] and means 'that which is owed.' So, this step involves recognizing we are sinners and that our sin has created a liability. It's difficult for most people to own up to their mistakes and shortcomings. But, that's part of God's process. He wants us to admit that we are unable to pay our debt. Thankfully, He has provided an avenue for us to obtain His salvation.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD.
- Romans 6:23
fig. 2
Our Passion:
8 But God demonstrates His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8
fig. 1