God loves sinners!
Sinner! That’s not a word many of us want to hear. We have suffered rejection, been told too many times, and by too many people (especially religious people) that we are not good enough. Therefore, it is unsurprising that we have rejected this word.
What is sin? Sin is wrongdoing. It is rebellion against the God who created the heavens and the earth, and everything that’s in them. A sinner is anyone who has chosen their own way and rejected God’s preferred way of doing things. And, the Bible tells us that all people, regardless of race, gender, education, political affiliation, or religion have rejected God.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23
Sin at its core separates us from a holy God. The good news of the Bible is that God loves sinners like you and me!
How Do We Know That God Loves Us?
First, God created you and continues to care for you. As technologically advanced as we are today, our best minds and leaders don’t make the rain fall or the sun to shine. God arranged the elements that make our world work. Even though we don’t acknowledge or honor Him as God, He continues to care for us.
Second, the Bible tells us that God gave up His One and only Son Jesus by sending Him into the world to experience human suffering and to rescue us from it.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Very rarely does anyone sacrificially give up something that is precious to them for the benefit of others. Yet, God gave up His only Son. Jesus Christ the Son of God gave up His divine privileges to live among sinful men. And He spent so much time with people that were rejected and despised by religious leaders that He was labelled “A Friend of Sinners”! Even today, Jesus remains a friend of sinners.
Third, God sent his only Son to take away the sin of the world. Sin separates us from God. The punishment for sin is eternal death, which is forever separation from the only God who loves us dearly. We all have sinned and are deserving of this punishment. Yet God, in demonstration of his great love for mankind, sent His only Son Jesus who committed no sin to take the punishment for our sins.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The sinless Jesus suffered and died for sinful mankind so that we all might be reconciled to God.
Finally, observe God’s exceedingly great patience with the world He loves. Sin is ruining our world and its effects are glaringly obvious. God is unhappy with the effect of sin on His creation. We are hurting one another and His creation because of our sin. The Bible teaches that Jesus will soon return for the final rescue of everyone who accept Him, and punishment for those who reject Him.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
However, because of God’s great love for those who are yet to accept His Son, not wishing that any should perish, He continues to endure suffering patiently and longs for every one of us to turn and accept Him.
The Message of the Bible
God’s great love for sinners like you and me is the entire story of the Bible. He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to befriend sinners and to rescue us from the power and consequences of sin. God is longing and waiting patiently for you to turn away from following your own way to following His Son Jesus Christ.
Will you believe and receive God’s gift of salvation today?
If yes, we encourage you to speak this prayer to God from your heart.
…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…Romans 10:9
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I am in need of your forgiveness.
I believe that you are the Son of God who came and died for my sins.
I also believe that God raised you from the dead for my salvation.
Please forgive me and make me your child! Amen.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ…” Romans 8:1
Believe you are now His! We would love to walk alongside you and assist you in your Christian journey.