What is the penalty for one sin? (new evangelism tract)

Answer: Eternal Hell.

The question most people ask next is why. Why must hell last forever? The answer is what distinguishes biblical Christianity from every other world religion.

::God’s Character::

God reveals to us in the bible that he is self-existent, independent, and the final authority and judge over everything. In short, he is God. He made everyone & everything himself and for himself. As with the rest of creation, humanity was created to give God pleasure. His standard is uncompromising and his character impeccable.

::What sin demands::

As a result of God’s perfect and unwavering character he is intolerant of imperfection. When we as a creation fail to do what he says or do what he forbids his reaction is unrelenting anger. This anger is demanded by his own character. God is an eternal God with eternal perfection, expressed in terms of his justice and holiness.

One infraction, however minor we may esteem it, carries with it the weight of an eternal offense. So at its very root sinful rebellion is an attack against God’s eternal character and so therefore deserving of eternal punishment. Quite simply this is why hell must last forever. God’s justice will never be extinguished because we could never bring an eternal payment.

::How a just God can forgive you::

There is great news however for the one who sees God as just when he judges; for while God is eternally holy, righteous and just, he is also eternally loving and forgiving. In love he provided the only possible means of forgiveness in his son. Jesus, himself being God, became a man and lived as a man. Jesus obeyed and loved God perfectly in the place of sinners who have never loved or obeyed perfectly.

Further, Jesus went to the cross to stand in the place of rebels. On the cross, being the eternal son of God, Jesus offered up himself as an eternal sacrifice to God for the sins of rebels. On the cross God treated Jesus as if he was judging sinners like us (even though he was sinless), that he might treat sinners like they were perfect like Jesus (even though they were sinful).

This forgiveness is not automatic like voting when we are 18 however. It comes by recognizing Jesus as king and ruler over your life. In doing this you turn from rebellion (sin) and turn to Jesus (submission). It is this posture of submission to Jesus as King and following him as Lord that characterizes the Christian life and gives God pleasure.

::How will you respond?::

God proved that he accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and that he was pleased while raising him from the dead. He is now declaring to everyone that they must turn from sin and to Jesus.

If you do not have forgiveness in Jesus then God’s eternal anger is being kindled and even aggravated by indifference.

Come to Jesus today as he lovingly extends life and forgiveness to you through his gospel.

…..(tracts like this are used within the evangelism ministry at Omaha Bible Church. The text conveniently fits on the back of the image sized to 4″x 6″, feel free to use if you feel that it would prove helpful in your own evangelism ministry)…