The Gospel: The bad news first...
No matter how we try, all of us would have to admit that we're not the person we ought to be. The Bible confirms this assessment.
There is none righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10
God's standard for our lives, as revealed in the Ten Commandments, is perfection.
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
James 2:10
You may do pretty good with some of the Big Ten, but no one can honestly say they've fully lived up to all of them. For example, you may have no problem obeying "thou shalt not kill," but can you say you love the Lord with "all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength?" Didn't think so. This means we're all lawbreakers in the eyes of a Holy God.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
That's the bad news.
Next: The Good News is... >>