The Testimony of John Lloyd
John Lloyd was brought up in Llanelli. Here he gives his testimony and asks the question – What does it mean to be saved?
I’m sure you have all heard of the Ten Commandments. They were a set of laws given to Moses by God that the Children of Israel should follow. A lot of these laws we follow today. For example, we read in the Book of Exodus 20 v13-16,
“Thou shall not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet.”
These laws, which God had given to Moses, they show us His standards and not one of us has ever been able to live up to them. The purpose of these laws today is to reveal to us what sin is. Romans 3 v20 tells us, “for by the Law is the knowledge of sin”. 1 Timothy 1v9 says, ” Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners”. These verses tell us that without the Law we are unaware that we do sin. But because it has been revealed to us we have the choice to sin or not to sin .
I know that I have broken God’s laws many times. Just to name a few. I have wanted things others have: I wanted loads of money; I wanted to be rich. I have stolen when I was younger.
The Lord tells us in Matthew 5 v 27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,” Thou shalt not commit adultery”;but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in her heart”. These verses tell us we can break God’s laws in our heart and thoughts and I’m sure there are people here who have had evil and wrong thoughts. If we think of doing harm or murder in our thoughts we have already done them in our hearts . Every wrong deed we have in our thoughts is actually breaking God’s Law in our heart.
But what happens when we break a law? Today we would have to be judged by a court and pay the penalty, be it a fine for speeding or jail for serious crimes like murder. So what happens when we break God’s laws? Breaking God’s laws is sin and “the wages of sin is death”, Romans 6.23 and 3 v23 tells us “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.
Since we have all sinned against God and face judgement, what can we do? The simple answer is we can’t do anything, but God, being a loving God, has already provided a way for us to avoid His judgement. How has He done this? John 3 v 17 tells us, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved”.
Jesus Christ came into the word to pay the penalty for sin. He was punished and died in our place that we may be saved from our rightful judgement.
John 3 16 tells us,”For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
So the question at the beginning of this message was, “What does it mean to be saved?” Acts 16 v31 says,” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”. So to be saved is to put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are saved from the penalty of sin because the Lord Jesus Christ has already paid it in full at the cross of Calvary. By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and believing in your heart that God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to bare the iniquity of us, all we can be saved. Accept God’s free gift of salvation and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour today .
Amen.
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John Lloyd’s Poem |
1.From the glories of Heaven the Father did send His one and only Son,
Who’d be the sinner’s Friend.
Made lower than angels and low among men,
A perfect life lived, right through to the end.
2.To save the world from the judgement of sin ,
To all who believe, eternal life He would bring.
In our place He suffered and died,
A pardon from God He did provide.
3.Now back in Heaven , on God’s right hand seated ,
The atonement for sin need never be repeated.
We thank You Lord Jesus for all You have done,
The gift of salvation You offer to everyone.