Hello, my name is Matthew Magee, and I’m thankful[1] to be having this conversation today. I was fortunate to grow up in a home with a mom and dad who loved Jesus, had a growing relationship with God and were actively involved in our church. In face their parents were also Christians, and on my mom’s side of the family their Christian heritage goes back generations.
One great aspect of families is seeing which people bear similar personalities, and how each person is unique to themselves. This was true of me as well. I was unique in my curiosities. Unfortunately, I was not afraid of much, which meant my curiosities led me in destructive directions.
Even as a young child this meant that I was expressing my own tendency to do things my own way, without regard for what was right. I deceived my parents and siblings, outright lied, and acted in ways that I knew were against what my parents told me was permissible. The Bible calls this sin, because I knew what was right (or good to do) and did not do it[2]. Even more than that, I found that even when I tried to be nice or obey in all things that I just couldn’t do it.
Since I was blessed to be able to attend a Christian church and have parents lovingly teach me the Bible from a young age, I knew that the way I was living was sinful and that I could never hope to fix myself. My sin wasn’t against my parents, but against God. I also knew that I could never perfectly put the pieces back together again, and like the many times I received loving discipline from my parents, the penalty for my sin was an eternal life in hell when I died.
As a six-year-old there was a lot of the Bible I didn’t know, but I am thankful to have known the most important thing: that Jesus Christ lived the perfect life I obviously couldn’t live, and even in the toughest decision he obeyed[3] the Father perfectly by giving his life as a ransom for all who will believe in Him.
Sometimes a single word can carry a lot of meaning. If I were to ask you what it means to be a fan of a sports team or athlete, you could give me a pretty simple definition, or you could give me a pretty elaborate and detailed description of what it means. The same is true of the word “believe.” To believe[4] in Jesus means repenting of our sin and turning to God in faith, having confidence that he will give eternal life to the one who banks on his promise. It also carries the idea of believing all that the Bible has to say about him. To fill it out a little more, it means that I believe that my sin is against God and is irreparable, but Jesus is fully God and man, making him able to live my perfect life for me and die a death that is worthy enough to pay the penalty for every sinner who trusts God[5].
When I was a six year-old boy I believed this message. No, I couldn’t fill out all the details, but I knew full well that I was in a prison of my own sin, and that Jesus died a death that I should have died so that I could believe. I was sorry in my heart for my sin. I repented and asked God’s forgiveness, which he freely gave at a really high cost to himself.
My life has had highs and lows, but God has been faithful through each high and low. He has taught me that he is faithful, will always care for me, will always provide for me and will always do what’s best for me to learn how to glorify him through my circumstances.
I said at the beginning that I was thankful to be able to all with you. It’s true. See, I’m not here because I’ve done anything deserving. You aren’t hearing this message because you’ve done anything deserving. I imagine that even as I recounted my sin you may have reminisced a little about your own sin. (This is evidence that we are all guilty.). But if you will acknowledge that God is the great Creator who has all rights to your life, accept who you are (a sinner all tied up by your own incapabilities), which is led by feeling grief for your sin that leads you to repent and believe God for salvation.[6]
Not only has being a Christian saved me from the penalty I deserve for my sins, but it has also given me great purpose for my life[7] and I want you to experience the same peace[8] that God has given me and promises to give all who trust him.
Will you abandon yourself and fully trust God? You will never regret it, and he will never fail you!
[1] Ps. 9:1-2
[2] James 4:17
[3] Matt. 26:36-46
[4] Rom. 10:9-10
[5] Isa. 53:10; Dan. 9:26; Matt. 10:28; Mark 10:45; John 10:15; 11:51-51; Rom. 4:25; Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
[6] 2 Cor. 7:9-10
[7] 2 Cor. 5:21, Eph. 4:11-32
[8] Rom. 5:1-5
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