If you asked me my favorite verse, it would have to be Romans 8:1-2. This scripture is where I felt that I would be okay while reading the Bible cover-to-cover.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:1-2 NLT
Romans 8:1-2 – Several Books into New Testament
If you know the bible, you know that Romans comes several books into the New Testament, and a long way through the entire Bible. That's a long way to go before feeling comfortable that I can get into Heaven.
Most people would stop at John 3:16, because we know that if we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, that we will receive salvation. That wasn't enough for me because of being caught up in all the bad stuff in my life.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave#3:16 Or For God loved the world so much that he gave. his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NLT
I read the entire Bible cover-to-cover, and that means that I'm thinking about how do I deal with the negative stuff in my life? All the things that you read in the Old Testament, and now it is washed away with John 3:16?
The truth is, yes, but that does that mean we get a pass on everything we've done, and the stuff we have yet to do?
What About Future Sin?
The Bible says in several places that we all have sin inside of us, and hopefully, I don't need to quote a Bible verse to convince you. Here's 1 John 1:8 in case I do.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
1 John 1:8 NLT
We are sinners, but that does not mean that we should live to sin. We should live to be more Christ-like, knowing that achieving this is impossible. Being more Christ-like makes life better not only for us but those around us.
Yes, I like everyone else in this world did things that would make me think we could not receive salvation. The good news is that we are all not subject to condemnation from God if we accept Christ!
Now you know why Romans 8:1-2 is my favorite verse of all. What beauty is it to know we can receive salvation despite the things we have done and will do? It is so incredible that we have a loving God willing to forgive and accept us.
The good news is that by living a more Christ-like life here on earth that we have the opportunity to experience a piece of heaven in this life before we move on to the next. The question is, are you and I willing to accept this incredible offer?