There are many people who are under the impression that they must clean up their act before they could ever be saved. That sounds humble enough but it is a lie from the devil. If you could do it yourself, you wouldn’t need Jesus. The only way anyone can ever be clean enough to come into the presence of God is through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Let me share with you two examples of the love of God. Peter was chosen of Jesus and was a disciple who was continually in the presence of Jesus day in and day out and saw the miracles Jesus did from raising the dead, healing the sick, quieting the storm and walking on the water. Then, as Jesus was on His way to Calvary, Peter denied even knowing Jesus, not once but three times. However, Jesus had prayed for Peter and when it was all over, not only was he forgiven, but Peter became an apostle and wrote 2 books in the New Testament. What powerful forgiving love.
Saul of Tarsus was a highly educated Jewish Pharisee and was commissioned to destroy Christianity. Saul thought he was serving God by destroying anyone who believed in or shared the love of Jesus. However, on the road to Damascus as he was on assignment to continue his work of evil, he met Jesus. Soon, he was no longer Saul of Tarsus but Paul the Apostle who wrote over half of the New Testament.
Saul wasn’t about to change himself but when he met Jesus things changed.
Peter’s life was shattered. He was self destructing. Personally I don’t believe he could ever have forgiven himself if he had not first come to the realization that Jesus had forgiven him. Peter repented and the blood of Jesus cleansed him from his treason against Jesus.
The Word of God openly sets forth the love of God by declaring in 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Who was inspired of the Holy Ghost to write this? Peter, the one who had denied even know Jesus Christ three times.
Is a person who is an alcoholic, a drug addict, a thief and adulterer worse that Peter or Saul of Tarsus? No! What makes a Saul of Tarsus into a Paul the Apostle? Jesus. Joh 14:6 says: “ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Read John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10 and let the love of God change your life.
Maranatha!