1 John 1:10-"If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives."

When I was a youth pastor at a church in Pasadena, Texas, our youth group did an outreach event in the parking lot of Gilley's Bar. At that time it was the largest bar in the world. We had a stage set up with a band playing Christian music and were sharing with the young people who came to watch the good news of Jesus.

In the course of the evening I was talking with a young man about his life and how he needed Jesus to forgive our sins. I will never forget his response. He said, "I have never sinned and therefore don't need to be saved." I asked him if he had ever lied to his parents, cheated on a test at school, or stolen anything. He said, "No!"  I didn't know what to say to him. How do you talk to a person about salvation if they believed they had never sinned? I then remembered the verse in 1 John 1:10.

I asked him, "why would you call God a liar?" He said he wasn't. I read him 1 John 1:10 and he thought for a moment and replied, "Well, maybe I might have told a lie or was disobedient to my parents." Once he saw his sin he was able to realize his need for a savior to forgive him of those sins. I was able to lead him to salvation in Jesus Christ.

Why do I share this story? Why is it important to understand that we all have sinned and have fallen short of God's plan for our life? The main reason is forgiveness and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. Sin is the reason we lost our relationship with God. Sin keeps us from experiencing the abundant life. Sin hinders our relationships with others. Sin leads to death. 

If we realize we have sinned then we can be honest with ourselves and God that we need forgiveness from our sins. We acknowledge that God is right and we are wrong. We can repent of our sins, which means to turn around, and ask God to forgive our sins. We can receive the life that God has planned for us. A life of peace, joy and love.

When I was young I learned the Roman Road to Salvation. This road is found in the Book of Romans. If you need forgiveness from your sins and want a relationship with Christ then follow this simple process.

Romans 3:23-"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" We must realize that we have sinned and fall short of God's plan.

Romans 6:23-"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We must realize our sin brings death but God sent Jesus to bring us life.

Romans 10:9-10-"That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Confession is just agreeing with God that you are a sinner and need salvation.  Salvation comes by believing that Christ's life, death and resurrection is for you and you are willing to receive His gift.

Romans 10:13-"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Calling on and trusting in Jesus means your are now a part of His famliy for eternity.

Today, allow these few verses of scripture lead you into a relationship with the God of the universe. Believe me, your life will never be the same. God is not a liar. He loves you enough to always tell you the truth.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, today I realize that I need to be rescued from my life of sin. I confess my sins to you and receive your forgiveness. I thank you that you sent your son, Jesus Christ to live, die and be raised to life for me. I now confess you as Lord and trust you with my life. Thank you for  eternal life. In Jesus' Name, Amen!