What It Means to Be a Sinner in God’s Eyes—and How to Be Saved

 

What It Means to Be a Sinner in God’s Eyes—and How to Be Saved

 

Introduction: Why This Matters

One of the most important questions any person can face is this: How does God see me—and what do I do about it?
The Bible does not leave this unclear. God lovingly tells the truth about our condition and then offers the only cure: salvation through Jesus Christ.

This teaching explains:
• What sin is in God’s eyes
• What it means to be a sinner
• Why sin separates us from God
• How God saves sinners
• How a person can be saved today

1) What Sin Is in God’s Eyes

Sin is not simply “mistakes.” Scripture reveals that sin is rebellion against God’s holiness, authority, and law.

1 John 3:4 — “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”

Sin is:
• Lawlessness: living outside God’s rule
• Self-rule: doing what is right in our own eyes
• Heart corruption: not only wrong actions, but wrong desires

Sin is both outward and inward. God judges the heart (Matthew 5:27–28). God sees our actions, motives, words, desires, pride, selfishness, and unbelief.

2) What It Means to Be a Sinner

A sinner is not merely “someone worse than others.” In the Bible, a sinner is any person who has fallen short of God’s glory and lives separated from God by sin.

Romans 3:10 — “None is righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Scripture describes sinners in three key ways:
1. Guilty before God — Romans 3:19
2. Spiritually dead — Ephesians 2:1
3. Under God’s wrath — John 3:36

3) Why Sin Separates Us From God

God is holy (Isaiah 6:3). Sin cannot dwell with God’s holiness (Habakkuk 1:13).

Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death…”

Sin earns death and separation: spiritual separation now, physical death, and eternal judgment apart from Christ.

4) The Good News: God Saves Sinners

The gospel is this: God does not save good people—He saves sinners.

Romans 5:8 — “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Salvation begins with the truth that we cannot save ourselves. God must rescue us, and Jesus is that rescue.

5) How Jesus Saves

Jesus lived the life we failed to live, fulfilling God’s law perfectly. He died the death we deserved.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin…”
Isaiah 53:5 — “But he was pierced for our transgressions…”

Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The resurrection proves the payment was accepted, sin’s power was broken, and eternal life is real and available.

6) What Must a Person Do to Be Saved?

God does not call sinners to “try harder” or “become religious.” He calls them to repentance and faith.

Step 1: Repent (turn from sin to God)
Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

Step 2: Believe (trust Jesus Christ alone)
Acts 16:31 — “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”

Step 3: Confess Him as Lord
Romans 10:9–10 — “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

7) What Happens When God Saves You?

When someone is saved, God does more than forgive—He transforms.

• Forgiven completely — Colossians 2:13–14
• Justified (declared righteous) — Romans 5:1
• Born again — John 3:3
• New creation — 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Sealed with the Holy Spirit — Ephesians 1:13

8) An Invitation to Be Saved Today

If you know you are a sinner and are ready to be saved, you can come to Christ now—by grace through faith.

A prayer of surrender:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I am a sinner. I have broken Your law in my actions and in my heart. I cannot save myself. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I repent and turn to You. Forgive me, wash me, and make me new. I surrender my life to You. Be my Savior and my Lord. Amen.”

John 6:37 — “…whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

9) How to Know You’re Truly Saved

Salvation is not proven by perfection, but by direction and transformation.

Evidence includes:
• A new relationship with Jesus
• A hatred for sin
• A desire to obey God
• Love for God’s Word
• Love for God’s people
• Perseverance and growth over time

Conclusion

Sin is serious, but God’s mercy is deeper.

1 Timothy 1:15 — “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”

You are not invited to pretend you’re righteous. You are invited to come as you are—and be made new.

 

©2026 Steven Miller Ministries.