1	Based on Facts by Pastor David W. Cooper, Sr.
2	Introduction
3	FACT #1: WE ARE ALL SINNERS. The Bible makes it very clear that everyone is a sinner. Romans:3:10: “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:23: “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” When talking to people about their relationship with God, I often ask this question. “If you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, why should I let you into heaven, what would you say?” The most common answers are “I am a good person; I do the best I can; I don’t hurt anybody.” However, these answers are not based on biblical facts. Our righteousness only looks good enough when we compare it to the righteousness of other people. God is sinless. He is perfect. When we compare our righteousness to Him, the Bible says our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Not only has God revealed that we are all sinners, but He has also said that there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy of heaven. Titus 3:5: “Not by righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us...” Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace (undeserved favor) are ye saved, through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” If we desire to have a personal relationship with God we must base it on the facts. We must admit that we are sinners and unable to do anything to save ourselves.
4	FACT #2: OUR SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD. The second fact revealed in God’s Word is that because we are sinners, our sin separates us from God. Sin is like a wall that keeps us from God. Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God...” God describes the person who does not have a personal relationship with Christ as being “without God and without HOPE” (Eph. 2:12). But there is even more. Romans 6:23 says that “the WAGES of sin is DEATH.” Since we are sinners, the payment we will receive for our sin is death. Not only does sin separate us from God in this life, it will separate us from God forever. The first two facts are not pleasant but they are true. When it comes to our eternal destiny, it does not matter how we see ourselves, but how God sees us. It does not matter what we think but what God has said. But there is good news! God loved man and provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him.
5	FACT #3: CHRIST DIED SO WE CAN HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Christ died on the cross, not as a martyr but as a sacrifice. Man’s sin required a payment. Since man could not satisfy the payment of death, God did. He sent Christ to die for us. Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth (showed) His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” No preacher or church can restore our relationship with God. There is nothing we can do to restore our relationship with God. Christ has already done it all. That is why on the cross He said, “It is finished.” He had paid the payment for our sin. Christ died on the cross to pay for man’s sin so that man can have his sins forgiven and a personal relationship with God.
6	FACT #4: WE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD BY FAITH IN HIS SON. There is one final fact on which we must base our relationship with God. Christ paid for our sin and offers eternal life to us as a free gift. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death BUT the GIFT of God is eternal life, THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eternal life is a free gift which God gives to those who repent of their sin and put their faith in Him. Trusting in Christ’s death as the payment for our sin, make us one of God’s children (John 1:12). Then we have a relationship with God BASED ON THE FACTS. Even though the early pioneers of flight had good intentions, were sincere and did the best they could, they failed. Good intentions and sincerity cannot replace the need for being accurate. So it is with the spiritual life. There are many who try to establish a relationship with God based on their own ideas and efforts. Even though their intentions are good and they are sincere, their attempts will fail because they are not based on the facts. Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way which seemeth right unto man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Have you recognized that you are a sinner, unable to do anything to make yourself worthy of heaven? Do you believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sin when He died on the cross? Are you willing to repent of your sin and call on Him by faith? If you will, He will save you and make you one of His children. Romans 10:13: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
7	Your Opportunity Why not bow your head right now and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you from your sin and make you His child? You can pray the following prayer if it reflects your hearts decision: Heavenly Father, I am a sinner and I need a Savior. Right now I turn from my sin and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ died and was buried and rose again from the grave to pay for my sin and provide the way to heaven. I am trusting in Jesus alone for salvation, not in any works of righteousness that I have done or will do. Please come into my heart and make me your child based on the facts. Father, I thank you for saving me. In Jesus name. Amen. If you have just prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God. Your next step is to associate yourself with a Bible-believing church which will teach you to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Please allow us to help you to get to know more about Jesus Christ, your new found Savior and Lord. To contact us use the information provided on our “Contact Us” page.