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God’s Gift to all whether ‘Sinner’ or ‘Saint’ Part 1

Akiko Thompson, the former Olympic swimmer and now TV host, related that when she was still competing in the 1990s, the pressure to win was so great, she would cry. In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer she said, “When I was older, I decided to commit my life to Christ and to live by His standards. My faith is the most important thing in my life now.” Her faith in Jesus has changed her life.

Ako naman, it took a personal crisis in 1994 to make me seek God with all of my heart. Before that, I wanted so much to be successful in business and make lots of money. Making money was my Number 1 priority. I became greedy. Suwapang. I tried New Age religions. And then a big business project of mine failed big time and I became bankrupt and in debt. Depressed na depressed ako. One day, I cried out to God, “God, if you are real, please lift this burden off my chest. Ang bigat-bigat ng loob ko. Hindi ko na kaya!”

That night, my girlfriend (who is now my wife) went to a Bible study and I decided to join her. I was amazed that the Bible had God’s solutions to my problems. God spoke to me through His Word, the Bible, and most importantly I learned about Jesus Christ’s love and plan for you and me.

I learned that pride; sin and disobedience separate us all from a relationship with God. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

In God’s eyes, there are no small or big sinners. Sabi Niya sa Biblia, “Sapagkat sinumang tumutupad ng buong kautusan, subalit lumalabag sa isa, ay nagkakasala sa lahat.”

Wow! Parang ang hirap di ba? If you commit one sin—lying for example—you are guilty of all the other sins like murder and adultery. Parang unfair. But think about it; that’s why the Good News of Jesus Christ is so good! The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”