Tag Archives: Salvation

The Miracle of Faith

Leave a reply

Now faith is the substance (certainty) of things hoped for (the promises of God), the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith defined.

Faith is confidence, trust, and conviction that what we believe is true. Our faith is believing the Word of God, which leads to submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith begins by hear God’s word; through it, we are justified and saved from his coming wrath

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

What is it that the Word of God tells us to believe?

When we hear the Word of God, we hear some incredible things:

  • Everyone is spiritually dead, an adversary to God, and headed to eternal damnation.
  • God created and carried out an amazing plan to save us from Hell through a substitutionary sacrifice that needed innocent blood to pay for the sins of the guilty.
  • God implanted himself in a teenage Jewish girl and was born Jesus Christ, who lived a flawless, sinless life.
  • Jesus suffered a brutal death on the cross to substitutionally atone for our sins, then was raised from the dead.
  • Only those who believe this will enter Heaven, and those who do not will spend eternity in the agony of Hell.

Who would believe this?

This incredible message is delivered through preaching by mortal men, maybe a sweaty evangelist in a $2,000 suit. We read scriptures written by a God we cannot see, hear, or touch, yet we are expected to believe or face a punishment so terrible it is beyond comprehension. Who in their right mind would believe any of this? Our intellect, rational reasoning, and culture lead us to dismiss this as nonsense and move on with our lives. And that is precisely what most choose to do.

The Miracle.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. John 6:29

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44

But here is the miracle of faith: those who hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ are drawn and empowered by God to do so. Faith is not something we produce ourselves. It is God who gives us faith, and it is God who brings our spirit to life. Salvation by faith is an unearned and undeserved gift from God’s grace and mercy; a gift that, by free will, we can choose to accept or reject.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8

The Substantiation of Our Faith

Through life’s trials and challenges, we find that answered prayers confirm, validate, and strengthen our belief that the object of our faith is real and that we are not running this race in vain.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:7-8

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is another powerful confirmation of our faith’s validity. God moves to guide our path and shape circumstances, and his work’s impact is clear in the life of a person with faith in Jesus.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Fools for Christ

Our faith is visceral, and the secular world views Christians as naive, ignorant fools. However, we know that once the time for faith has passed, we will be proven wise, and the profane man will be exposed as a fool in his worldly intellect. God takes great pleasure in saving humble, trusting souls who believe despite the world’s wisdom.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.1st Corinthians 1:18-21

Man Owns His Unbelief

The origin of faith is God. The origin of unbelief is free will, a heart hardened by the pursuit of worldly desires, and a conscience seared by the love of sin. It is humanity’s default to not believe the word of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1st Corinthians 2:14

 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

Mocking God

Leave a reply

In today’s world, there is a clear, consistent, and overt desire to disparage God. We mock him, reject him, trivialize him, and profane his name. This acknowledgment by disrespect seems to be a sad indication of his existence and evidence that society at large has no fear of him.

The latest spectacle of profanity was the desecration of the spirit of the Last Supper of Jesus by a group of perverse and deviant men in the Olympics opening ceremony.

As appalling as this was, we are to keep in mind that we are all sinners, and we are no better than these lost souls in the eyes of God. No man is righteous; we are all headed to judgment and condemnation when we stand before Him on our own merits. Read Romans 1:10 We all need a savior from the wrath to come, and it is Jesus Christ who rescues us. Only by faith in him are we deemed righteous and reconciled with God. Read Romans 6:22-23 So we pray that God changes them and opens their eyes to the evil in their hearts. Turning to Christ is their only hope to escape an eternity in hell. Read John 14:6 My bet is that they ride their lusts into the fire.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7-8

Sadly, this disgusting display is not uncommon. God is routinely disparaged as our deteriorating culture embraces depravity and lust. God tells us clearly that his patience has a limit and that judgment of the ungodly is coming. Read 2 Peter 3:7

O Death, Where is Thy Sting?

Leave a reply

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:54-57

The sting of death, the victory of the grave, is to usher man’s soul into the eternal torment of Hell, God’s just condemnation for the unrepentant and unredeemed soul. In the natural course of events, we all have this coming.

But thanks and gratitude to God, who gave us a way of escape, a provision for salvation from his wrath through faith in his son, Christ Jesus. On the cross, Jesus took the sting of death for us; he suffered and died as the perfect and final atonement for the sin of man. By faith and submission to him, his righteousness is credited to us, and we will not stand before God with unredeemed sinners to be judged unrighteous and condemned to the fire of hell. This is how death is defeated, its sting eliminated, and a horrific fate swallowed up in victory.

Thanks also to God for his promised provision to bring his children into heaven. A mortal, earthly body of flesh and blood, corrupt, weak, subject to defect and decay, cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. So, when we are raised at the appearance of Christ, we will be given a new body that is incorruptible and immortal, raised in glory and power, and designed to exist in the spiritual world. Moreover, if you happen to be alive when Jesus arrives to take His church off the earth, you will be instantly transformed into the new, glorified body and taken to be with Him, never to experience death. How great is that!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Is Christianity the Only True Religion?

Leave a reply

It is well known that Christians, particularly the Evangelical Protestants (who make up only 12% of the world population), have an irritating and offensive trait of claiming their religion as the only valid or true way to God. To say that all other paths lead to an eternity of agony in the fire of hell seems a bit intolerant and narrow-minded. Here is a look at why they are convinced the doctrine of their faith is superior to all other paths. 

Continue reading →

Foundational Beliefs

Leave a reply

The central tenet of Christianity can be summarized as, “I believe what the Holy Bible tells me.” However, the Bible contains a wealth of information, and different interpretations of its scriptures have led to varying beliefs among those who identify as Christians. Still, the core and essential beliefs below form the foundation of Christianity. Those who believe otherwise are probably not true Christians.

The Trinity

God’s divine essence or nature consists of three distinct, eternal, and unchanging persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These members of the Trinity are the only deities that exist; they make up the one true God. Each is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. The Son is subordinate to the will of the Father, while the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the will of both the Son and the Father. The nature of the Trinity or the Godhead is certainly more complex than just three persons acting as God. The uncertainty of this concept troubles some and may hinder their conviction, but since God is beyond our mortal understanding, don’t worry about it.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1st John 5:7

God the Father

There is only one living and true God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, sovereign, incomprehensible, merciful, loving, gracious, patient, truthful, faithful, wise, all-knowing, and ever-present. He embodies perfect righteousness, morality, and holiness, free from evil, error, or sin. God works everything according to his immutable and righteous will. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, rewarding those who diligently seek him. At the same time, he is just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and ensuring that the guilty are severely punished.

God the Son, Jesus Christ

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Matthew 16:15-16

Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the living God, who was God incarnate, the word (revelation) of God living among us. John 1:14 He is our advocate in heaven, 1 John 2:1 and the light of the world. John 8:12 Jesus is God, not a created being. He created all things John 1:3 and all things were created for him. Colossians 1:16 Jesus alone is the way to eternal life. John 1:4 He is our only hope for salvation from the penalty of our sins and eternal life in Heaven. John 14:6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1st Peter 1:3-5

God the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is a divine person with will and emotions. He dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

Jesus the Redeemer

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice who redeems us from the penalty of our sins. He bore the punishment for the ungodly through his brutal death on the cross. Jesus is the Redeemer for all who call on his name; he will either be your Savior or your Judge

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This confirmed his divinity and his substitutionary atonement for our sins. If there had been no resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but rather for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one Romans 3:10

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

No one on earth is righteous enough to stand alone before God. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and is under condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, as no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your righteousness, you will perish.

 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Judgement is Coming

Everyone will die and be held accountable for their actions during their mortal life. You can stand before God forgiven and as an heir to his kingdom, or as a soul who died with unforgiven sins.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (sola fide) and by the Grace of God Alone (sola gratia)

For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works let any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

There is nothing man can do to earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ does that. We are saved for doing good works, not by good works. Galatians 2:16 The only thing you can do to be saved is to know there is nothing you can do to be saved other than cast yourself on the mercy of God.

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven (solus Christus)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

There is only one way to heaven, and that is by faith and submission to Jesus Christ. This message of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

The Bible is the Only Authority on Faith, Doctrine and Practice (sola scriptura)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

The Holy Bible is God’s word, his revelation to us, and it contains everything we need to know. It is the final authority on all aspects of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines from human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; there is nothing else to consider.

 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19

God is in Control

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Peter 5:10

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

We who are in Christ are under the care of the mighty God, the creator and sustainer of all. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly keep from him. Nothing happens to his children without passing through his hands; nothing surprises him, and everything that occurs is for our ultimate good.

The Return of Jesus Christ.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28        

Jesus came to Earth the first time as a suffering servant. He did not come to judge but to save the world. For thousands of years since his departure, humanity has had the opportunity to turn to him and be saved from the inescapable wrath of God.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering King bringing God’s wrath upon the unrighteous world. This event will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and momentous in human history. 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16

7 Great Truths from the Word of God

Leave a reply

The word of God is an inexhaustible treasure of truth. Selected here are seven that speak to the circumstances and reasons for humanity’s existence. These truths directly address how we should live and the consequences of a misspent life.

1. Humanity is Made in the Image of God

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. Genesis 1:26

God created man and set him above all other creatures with the qualities and competencies of a self-conscious and rational being (a person). He gave us intellect, the ability to grasp abstract concepts (such as morality, truth, and evil), faculties of communication, and feelings of deep emotion. We also possess the independent capability to act of our own will, as we are individuals with agency, free will, and the ability to make choices. We are not slaves, though many will choose to be, nor are we creatures kept as unwitting companions. These are attributes of the image of God, elements of personhood, and qualities that make us valuable. We have dignity and worth, creatures built for relationships; God created us to have a relationship with him.

2. Every Person Needs a Savior.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10

The elements of the image of God in which we were made are elements of capability, not character. Man is a brilliant and resourceful creature, but on his own, he does not possess, in any meaningful way, God’s divine characteristics, particularly that of righteousness. To be righteous is to be morally correct, and we all fall far short of God’s standard of perfection. We are not worthy of being in his presence nor capable of entering heaven on our own merits. Born sinners, we will remain so until the day we die. The fate of unrighteous humanity is extermination, to perish forever in the fire of hell. Mankind desperately needs a savior to redeem us from the penalty of sin and the coming wrath of God.

3. Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

To redeem is to buy or pay off, to clear by payment. Jesus, “the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” John 1:29 is God incarnate, the perfect embodiment of righteousness who redeemed us by his blood on the cross, paying our debt for sin so that we are declared righteous and reconciled to God. Salvation is being justified to God; it is a gift by his loving grace (undeserved favor) and mercy (relief from deserved punishment). It cannot be earned but realized only by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is not one of many saviors, but the only way to heaven. Sadly, most will choose another path. Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

4. The Power of God Transforms Lives

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hearts that turn to Christ abide in the word of God and are given the Holy Spirit of God, who comforts and convicts us. Our conscience is quickened, active, and loud as obedient and moral behavior becomes clear and vital. We recognize and reject the world systems that are rooted in evil. We resist temptation. We resist Satan. We are continually sanctified, becoming more like Christ. We are light, and we are salt; we are evangelists. This is the transformation –  from a creature pursuing its desire, headed to destruction, to a child of the living God, headed to eternal life in paradise. We live in loving obedience and in fear of God as we await our Savior’s return.

 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

5. Our Mortal Life is a Grand Test.

Two clear objectives are set before us in mortal life. The first is to come to Christ for salvation. The second is to grow and mature, to be sanctified by God, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Salvation

Whose (winnowing) fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his (threshing) floor, and gather his wheat into the garner (barn); but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12

In the verse above, the agricultural symbolism is clear. The saved are gathered into heaven, while the lost spend eternity in hell. His “threshing floor” is a place of God’s judgment, and the verdict is set during each man’s mortal life. God’s children, those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and also those forever lost and condemned, will be determined during our brief time here on earth. To be saved from God’s wrath is the primary reason we are here. We will look back on this time when the quality of our eternal life was settled in gratitude and joy or deep remorse and sorrow. This life is God’s sieve, separating those who are His from those who are not.

Transcendent, eternal joy and peace await those who successfully navigate their circumstance, trials, and opportunities to arrive at the threshing floor as wheat and not chaff. The word of God is crystal clear on how this is accomplished . . . it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Sanctification

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4

In this life, we will be tried and tested. It is the time to realize our possibilities, perfect our capabilities, and establish our faith. Our character, whether good or bad, will be developed, and our fate in the next life will be determined. To glorify Note 2 God during our time here is another critically important reason we are here. Living our lives with unwavering faith in the face of adversity, and also when life is easy and prosperous.

For Christians, God puts us through trials to build our endurance and strengthen our faith. Testing brings maturity and develops us into stronger Christians, conformed to be like Christ, ultimately perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Trials humble us, build dependency on God, and illuminate what kind of person we are. Those in Christ can face distress and trouble with calm delight, stability, and confidence. We know that for those who love God, all things are in his hands and work for our ultimate good. The Christian who remains strong in the faith in the face of adversity is a powerful testimony to God’s love, power, and peace.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

The man without faith pursues the desires of his heart. He believes that peace and happiness result from a successful life, according to the world’s values (lots of money, validating relationships, status, power, attractiveness, and more and better a). For them, trouble in life is attributed to the malevolence of others, bad luck, or a result of stupidity. Without God, man is on his own, and though he may enjoy prosperity during his brief time here on earth, he has failed the test that matters. But there is hope that tough times will turn a soul to Christ. Those who are broken are often those who know they need a savior.

Note 1 Faith – belief in the veracity of God’s word, confidence in his promises, and trust in a savior we cannot see.

Note 2 Glorify – giving weight, meaning, importance, and significance.

6. God is in Control.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God is sovereign, the ultimate authority, and we take great comfort in knowing that God is in control of our lives, and everything we encounter has passed through His hands. We rest in complete confidence that God ultimately uses all things for our good, though it may not seem that way at the moment. He will use every event and circumstance (the good, the bad, and the terrible) to accomplish his will for those who belong to him. He intends to mold us to be more like his son, and there is no better outcome that we could hope for than to be more like Jesus Christ! Even though we may not understand the why, how, and when of what God weaves together, we trust him because we are his possession, and he takes care of us. This is the comfort that the children of God enjoy. Those who have rejected Jesus are on their own, and not all things happen for their good.

7. All Will Face Judgement.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

We all will face our mortal death; nobody gets out of here alive! Note 3 Many expect that to be the complete and final end, but it is not. Death is more serious than that; no one gets off that easy. After death, all will give an account of themselves to Almighty God, and those not clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ will be condemned to an eternity of fiery torment and agony. Read Revelation 20:15

But know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ! Read Romans 8:1 Instead of judgment to condemnation, Christ will judge the Christian for eternal reward.

Note 3 Only those who believe and trust in Christ when the church is taken from the earth at the rapture will not experience mortal death. Read Thessalonians 4:16-18

Coda

This life is a grand test, a proving ground to separate the wheat from the chaff. The Elect will come to Christ and eternal life; the lost will die in their sin. The faithful Christian will be sanctified and made more like Christ; the profane man will be given up to the lusts and depravity of his mind. Our purpose in this life is to come to know Christ, be obedient to God, fear him, glorify him, mature in the faith, and tell others of the incomparable gift of salvation available only by faith in Jesus Christ. There is an urgency to this as time is short and judgment of the unrighteous is coming.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

The Terrible Result of Sin

Leave a reply

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31

God is clear about how he deals with sin. Every person will be held accountable for their unforgiven sins, and the penalty is eternal damnation. We all deserve God’s wrath that will come when we stand before him and face his judgment.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-13

The unrighteous nature of man and the coming judgment raise a crucial question. If no one, no matter how hard they try, has a righteous standing before God, then are we doomed to suffer in Hell forever? The answer is yes.

This is why mankind desperately needs a Savior.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

The Good News of Salvation

Leave a reply

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

The good news is that Jesus Christ is the Savior we desperately need. Jesus redeems us from the penalty of sin and saves us from condemnation and eternal punishment in Hell. God has provided the means for us to be forgiven of our sins, deemed righteous, and reconciled with him. The means of redemption was established when Jesus was nailed to the cross to die in substitutionary atonement for mankind’s sins. He endured the penalty for our sins so we could enjoy peace with God and receive the benefits of being his beloved children – benefits we enjoy both in this life and the next.

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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 

The death and resurrection of Jesus confirmed his deity and the effectiveness of his atonement for us. His resurrection proved that he is who he claimed to be and that everything he said is true. Jesus defeated death, and the promise is that we, too, will be resurrected to eternal life.

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Romans 1:3-4

Securing Salvation

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

The Word of God is clear on how one is deemed righteous and saved from the wrath of God: believe and confess.

  • Believe that Jesus was God incarnate, that he was crucified to atone for your sins, and that he was raised from the dead and is alive, seated at the right hand of his Father in Heaven.  To “believe in thine heart” means having a deep personal conviction. This belief goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is a confident, immutable, and resolute truth held in your heart. It is not trivial – it is a belief you would die for.
  • Confess is to affirm that Jesus is the Lord of your life. It is crucial to understand that this confession is not a mere utterance but a sincere proclamation based on accepting Jesus as your Lord in your heart. It affirms that you no longer live for yourself; your priority now is to live in obedience and to follow him. Jesus must be in charge, not you. Saving faith is belief combined with submitting to Jesus’s lordship. Belief alone, without surrendering to his authority, will not save you from Hell.

How does one come to saving faith?

What brings someone to the point where they believe and confess?

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Hearing means being receptive and understanding the message of the gospel of Jesus. This is why evangelism – preaching, teaching, and personal witness – matters.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

The work of God is transformation, and the response of man is repentance. Those who respond to the call of God and believe undergo a transformation of their soul and spirit. This renewal is a spiritual rebirth, a divine act of the Holy Spirit that gives spiritual life to those who were spiritually dead in their sin. We are changed into new creatures capable of believing and submitting.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:4-5

Being now spiritually alive, cognizant of the will of God and also of our wretched nature, we repent. Repentance is a fundamental change of heart, mind, and direction; a turning away from sin and toward God. It is an active conscience, the inner awareness that judges our actions in light of the moral truth we now embrace, that compels repentance.   

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Faith is a gift from God. Saving faith is an undeserved gift by the grace of God; there is nothing you can do to earn it, but you can choose to reject it.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9