We live in a world dominated by sin. Sin is not an involuntary act, but each of us is responsible for our actions. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Sin can be defined as any thought, word, or action that violates God’s law. Every sin, no matter how big or small leads to death.

When we isolate ourselves from Him, we are left with a sense of wandering, brokenness, and a nagging need to fill that empty space with something. Some people turn to their career and become intently focused on climbing the ladder of success. Others seek money or material possessions or self-indulgent pleasure to fill the void that only God can fill.

We were created to know God and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Sin is a deceptive tactic that keeps us from knowing God.

Has someone close to you ever hurt you? Maybe a family member or close friend said or did something that hurt you and you have a hard time getting over it. At all cost, you avoid them because the sight of them brings back the pain they caused you.

When Adam and Eve broke God’s law, God did not hold it against them or avoid them: He promised to send a rescuer and redeemer who would pay our sin debt and restore our relationship with Him.

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:8

  “…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” Romans 5:20b

 God’s unending love for you causes Him not to simply overlook your sin but to deal with us in love, mercy, and grace.  God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

This is what Easter is all about. Easter is the fulfillment of God’s promise to pay for and break the grip of sin in your life! Jesus did what no other man could do.

The world promotes a philosophy of “do all you can to achieve the good life.” This way of thinking distracts us from our purpose in life. Life is not about achieving the good life but a forgiven life.

There’s a far greater life awaiting us in heaven than anything this world can offer. We can spend our lives searching for meaning and purpose, but we won’t find it until we settle our sin issue and restore our relationship with God.

 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels–a plentiful harvest of new lives.” John 12:24

Here Jesus prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and explains how He must die, but His death will produce many new followers. His sacrifice would provide the only way to be forgiven and restore a relationship with God, John 14:6.

Everyone who accepts Jesus by faith will have their sin forgiven and begin a new life, Romans 10:13. This is what it means to be born-again.

Just as Jesus’ death produces a harvest of new lives; we must die to our self to receive the greater. Jesus’ illustration about a kernel of wheat is a proven biblical principle.

• Abraham gave up the safety and comfort of his homeland to travel to an unknown land and become the father of the Nation of Israel.
• Moses gave up the wealth and power of Egypt to liberate 3.5 million slaves.
• John the Baptist gave up being first to make way for Jesus.

If we are going to go from pursuing the good to gaining something greater, we must be willing to surrender. We must admit that we are a sinner and have sinned; confess with our mouth that Jesus is God and allow God and His law to become first in our life.

When we do this, we become part of God’s family, our sin forgiven, and heaven becomes our eternal home.

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