Whatever word I give in my post, I always go back to the basics.
Of all the subjects we need to understand, this is it…Our eternal salvation! This is THE basic of the basics of Christianity. It is why I wrote my new book which is due to be released in December; Biblical Christianity 101 – Basics of the Faith for a New Generation. Not understanding the clear gospel of salvation for this dispensation can have dire eternal consequences. So, this truth must come first.
God’s most important word for you is about your need for salvation.
Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Therefore, I would like to present this message in six (6) points.
1. God says all men will die. The reason we all die is because ALL are sinners.
Romans 5:12; “Therefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”.
Following death, God will judge the souls of men for their sin. At this judgment, God will pronounce His verdict as we read in Romans 2:6; “Who will render to every man according to his deeds”. Then verses 8-9 reveal; But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.”
God will pour out “tribulation and anguish” upon “every soul of man” that “does evil”. God will cast these unrighteous souls into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 21:8; “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Since all men are sinners, no one can escape this judgment of God on their own. No person can do enough good, or humble himself enough to overcome his own sin. All people on the face of the earth, in all of history will be found guilty and deserving of God’s wrath.
As a side note; when was the last time you heard this preached in YOUR church?
2. Man needs a Savior. Someone that can save him from this awful judgment. This is exactly what God did in providing a Savior for us. This Savior is found in Jesus Christ the Lord.
Titus 2:13; “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men. 1 Timothy 4:10; “…because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe”.
3. He is our Savior because He died for our sins and bore the judgment of God for us. He can save us from the wrath of God. Romans 5:8; But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. Jesus Christ “died for us”. He paid the debt for our sin on the Cross. Romans 5:9; “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Also see Ephesians 1:7.
4. Once the debt was paid, Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4; …how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
5. Because of the work of Jesus Christ, God now offers man salvation as a free gift.
Romans 5:18; “Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life”.
God’s “free gift” is eternal life. Romans 6:23; For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God offers His free “gift” of salvation to all men. God only asks that you believe what Christ has done for you. Also see Ephesians 2:8-9.
6. We accept God’s “gift” through faith believing – TRUST.
Romans 3:26; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus”. and verse 28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”.
God’s gospel of grace is clear and very simple. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the grave. God only asks that you believe. He saves you by His grace. Salvation is not of works. It cannot be earned by anything you do. There is no salvation in trusting in or doing any good thing. You have nothing to give.
Salvation is a gift from God to you. It is all by His grace. Your only part is to believe.
Ephesians 1:12-13; “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise”.
Grace and peace to you. Amen!