The most evil thing I ever did.

I didn’t realize I had done this evil thing until I was fifty-two years old. When I realized it, I was horrified and deeply ashamed.This is what I did:

I took part in Jesus’ crucifixion!

You might say that I wasn’t even there- that I wasn’t even born until over 1,900 years after that event. That’s true, but look at it this way- we all sin, every one of us. We by ourselves simply can’t pay the price God demands for our sins. So, Jesus died for our sins because God demands blood sacrifice to cover sin.

That’s why every year the Israelites were required to sacrifice an innocent, spotless lamb to cover their sins. This was temporary. It had to be repeated every year. This sacrifice was a foreshadowing of the final sacrifice- that is, the innocent Jesus willingly giving his life for all our sins,past, present, and future. As a result, all those who believe in him and repent of their sins are absolved of every one of them. On the Day of judgment, when God sees believers, he will see the righteousness and innocence of Jesus.

This salvation is a free gift, with no requirements except belief and repentance. Everyone needs to accept this free gift, no matter how good they or others think they are, because everybody has sinned and continues to do so. As a result, all who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are alienated from God.

Isaiah 59:2. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Bible Gateway passage: Isaiah 59:2 — New International Version

But receiving Jesus Christ’s sacrifice gains you God’s forgiveness and His welcome into His eternal Kingdom.

Romans 5:6–8. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Bible Gateway passage: Romans 5:6–8 — New International Versi

That completely evil thing that I was once guilty of wasn’t just done by me, but by all of those who haven’t yet received Jesus Christ. Until they do, their punishment is eternal separation from God. The reward for those who have is eternal life. It’s up to each individual to choose which they will receive.