Sinner's Prayer? That's Not For Me - I'm Not a
Sinner!
"Sinner" is a word that gets a bad rap these days - and well it
should. Unfortunately, the bad rap it is getting is for the wrong
reasons. Confronted with our shortcomings, we are quick to defend
ourselves with words like, "I'm not a sinner! I don't go around
sinning! I've never murdered anyone or anything like that!" The
problem is, we don't really know what the word sin means.
We think it only applies to some despicable act that repulses
"church people" who want to hang big scarlet letters around our
necks. But sin simply means to miss the mark; to fall short of the
goal. The fact is, we are all sinners, for there is no one, save
Christ alone, who has lived a life that did not in some way fall
short of the perfection God requires. We all deserve to pay the
penalty for that sin, which is to spend eternity in hell.
Sinner's Prayer - What the Bible Says About
Sin
Sin, according to the Bible, is any action that violates the law
given by God in the Ten Commandments. The law
was given by God to show us what it means to live a life deserving
of God's love. It was also given to show us
that none of us can live that kind of life. God knew that in
advance, and that is why He sent His Son Jesus to be that perfect
life for us. Jesus, God in human flesh, voluntarily laid aside His
God-hood to connect with us, to show us He understands us and to
give us a way to be reconciled to the Father, since none of us can
keep the law to its letter. "For all have sinned, and fall short of
the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Some say that sin is two letters, "s" and "n", with "I" in the
middle. We elevate ourselves, and certainly we live in a time when
that thinking is being promoted. Sin may be something we can't be
free of, but the good news is we can be free of its penalty. "For
the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23)
Sinner's Prayer - Become a Sinner Saved by
Grace!
What's the key to the Sinner's Prayer? As long as we are content to
live in sin, the Bible says we are separated from God. That
condition may seem fine for a while, but it ultimately leads to
misery and then to eternal separation from God. "There is a way
that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
(Proverbs 16:25). The good news is that God Himself has made a way
for us to be reconciled to Him, and He has done this through His
Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-15).
What about you? Are you content to live for yourself, get the most
toys, and die anyway? Or do you want a life of purpose and hope?
God, the One who created you, has a purpose for your life and wants
to give you a new beginning. If you are ready to admit your need
for a clean slate in life, the God of second chances is waiting to
give it to you. All you have to do is start with the Sinner's
Prayer.
Sinner's Prayer - Recognizing the Need
The "Sinner's Prayer" is a term that describes the words spoken by
a person when he or she has recognized their sin and their need for
a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It goes something
like this:
If you decided to repent of your sins and receive Christ today,
welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the
Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.