Trick Or Treat?

Don't Be Tricked! Sin can trick you. Have you ever thought that the people who are doing all the bad things are having all the fun? Don’t be tricked! Sin is like a fishing lure: it may look great on the outside, but there’s a hook on the inside! Many people today are tricked into thinking that doing bad things is fine. However, the Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Other people can trick you. Lots of people have different ideas about what is right and what is wrong. That’s why God tells us, “Let no man deceive you with vain [empty] words” (Ephesians 5:6). Remember: if it’s not in the Bible, it’s probably a trick, and will lead you down the wrong road! You can even trick yourself. Some people try to tell themselves, “It doesn’t matter what I believe, just so I believe something.” That may sound nice, but it’s a trick! The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Here's The Truth! God will never trick you. Unlike all the other things we have looked at, we know that “God … cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Instead of telling us a lie, God’s Word points out that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). You see, our sin makes us dirty like a pair of shoes that have walked through the mud. And just like we can’t walk through our own houses with muddy shoes, we can’t get into Heaven—which is God’s house—until our sin has been washed away. God loves you. In fact, “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16). No one could ever love you as much as God does. And even though you’ve done bad things, He still loves you. That’s why He has done the only thing that could ever wash your sins away. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ—who had never done even one wrong thing—to go to the Cross to suffer and die for your sins and mine. God showed that Jesus had fully paid sin’s debt by bringing Him back to life three days later. Now you can have your sins washed away by receiving what He has done for you. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). God calls you. Salvation from sin is a free gift, but we must receive it. All you need to do is tell God that you know you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died for you on the Cross, and trust Him to be your Savior and Lord. God will hear you no matter where you are or what words you use. Then you will have the best treat of all—forgiveness of all your sins and eternal life with Him in heaven! “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36).