I know many of us are very concerned the way this world is headed, although believers who know His Word fairly well are aware of the many prophecies regarding this unbelievable time of great evil across the world. But today, I’d like to focus on those who either may be unsure of their salvation, or have never believed at all. I will link the Bible verses for your consideration, so you might take your time reading through.
If you are reading this, considering this horrible and confusing time on this earth, and you do not know how you can have eternal life, I’d like to tell you that it is a free gift (Rom 6:23), and how you can receive it. Or some say, how you can be saved.
First I’d like to explain why we all have to die. It started with the very first man (Adam) who sinned and rebelled against God’s one command. Because of that, and the obvious fact that everyone of us sin (Rom 3:23), there has been a separation/wall between God and man that we can do nothing about. Not even one sin will enter heaven (Rev 21:27). If God allowed that, we’d be sick, sin ridden, sorrowful forever.
From the Beginning
From the beginning of Creation, the first sin, (Gen 3:15), was a recorded promise from God — that even though man sinned and had to die (physically and possibly spiritually), He promised a Savior to come (and that Savior was Jesus Christ). Jesus, who came from the Jewish nation through Judah, David, and genealogy — is seen in the book of Matthew and Mark and many, many, Old Testament passages, in fact, in every book of the Bible.
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came as the only Savior to all people, (Luke 2:8-14), both Jew and Gentile. He came the first time as the Lamb of God, to settle the debt of our sin (the wages of sin is death – eternal), who would take away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). He died on HIS cross, for ALL of of our sin (Col 2:13-15; 1 Cor 15:3-4), and He rose again from the dead, because He is God and said He had the power to take His life back up again (Jn 10:17-18).
What did His Resurrection accomplish?
His resurrection from the dead, proved (and was a promise) that all believers will also be raised incorruptible one day. Not because of our perseverance, or how well we did in this life, but because He alone had the victory, and the power over sin, death and the grave (1 Cor 15:50-58). Remember, we belong to Him, we are His purchased possession, sealed by His Spirit, until the day He redeems this body (Eph 1:13-14; 1 Cor 6:20, 7:23; Acts 20:28; Rom 8:23).
Jesus said to her, “I amthe resurrection and the life.He who believes in Me, though he maydie, he shall live.And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:25-27
The Second Coming of Jesus
In His Second Coming, Jesus comes as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is also seen as the Lamb who was slain. In Revelation 5, we also see Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, opening the seals of judgment (aka the Title Deed to the earth), taking back dominion from the god of this age (satan), placing everything under His feet. That false god has blinded minds from the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:1-6).
Over and over in the book of John we are told what we must do to be saved – believe on Him as our Savior to receive the free gift of eternal life – Rom 6:23. John is a book whose purpose was evangelical – John 20:31. It also is a book that heavily reveals the Deity of Jesus.
Eternal life is never received by good works
Salvation is not of any good works of any kind of our own (Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Rom 4:1-6; 11:6). It is only by faith in Who Jesus is, and What He did for us, apart from any works of our own, lest we tempted to boast. If you believe Jesus is God come in the flesh, whose payment on the cross for your sins was enough, then you too will be saved, sealed with His Spirit (sign of possession and promise), until the day of redemption (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30).
So again, turning from sin, being (or saying) you’re sorry, may or may not be something that comes from believing upon Him to save you. In fact, when you were saved, you may have been remorseful, you may have left pondering those things in your heart (like Mary), or you may have been running to tell others (like the woman at the well in John 4), or you may have been jumping for joy as we saw with some in Acts when they believed. But feelings or good works cannot contribute to eternal life. Good works though are something believers should try to maintain (Titus 3:8). This is a favorite verse to me, it shows we can bring nothing good to make things right with Him..
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
No matter who you are, or what you have done, nothing is too much for Him to forgive. He already forgave all when He offered His life for yours in great love (John 15:13). And this was almost 2000 years ago now. He knew every single horrible act we would commit. And He forgave us in great love. Don’t ask me how or why He is mindful of us. But Psalm 139 says His precious thoughts towards us outnumber all the grains of sand in all the beaches across the world. He only asks that you will believe Him (John 3:14-17, 5:24; 6:28-29). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God my friend, so if you are unwilling to even open a Bible and ask Him to show you the truth, you will be without an excuse in the day of judgment. Please don’t delay, we are not promised tomorrow.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Luke 12:16-20
Don’t let that be your story. Do you want to be saved? Simply Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (forever, to the uttermost).
If you have believed this to be true, you are already saved. But if you’d like to know more, you can click here.
Excellent. Wonderful defense of the one and only gospel. Preach it, sister. The glorious gospel of the grace of God – that Jesus paid it ALL. He alone was the ransom: Heb 10: 10-14; Acts 13: 38, 39.
Thank you David. I mentioned the one passage, which I love, perfected forever by His one sacrifice. The second I almost posted with Col 2:13-15 (paying for all of our sins, or justified from all things). Thank you for posting it. God bless your week, and may He make us bold. Both to call evil evil, and to share the good news, for time surely is short.
Thanks again for such a clear representation of the gospel! Nothing is more encouraging than the Good News. I am praying for all, including the Taliban, that by believing that Jesus is Lord, we might all be ready for His coming.
Thank you very much John. I’m praying with you, for the young and old, in all countries, to realize something is going on, and that they are desperately needing a Savior. The Taliban and most in those Muslim Countries have never heard God loves them. They don’t understand Jesus was more than a prophet, but the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the one and only way to the Father. I pray for all to wake up and realize that now is the day of salvation.
Holly,
Do you believe it is biblical when someone says “faith/belief is not merely believing a boat can save you, but you must actually get in the boat”? Or another example someone gave is that this guy was going to walk across a tightrope and he asked an audience if they believed he could safely get across with a person on his back. They said yes, but supposedly “true faith” would be climbing on the guy’s back and letting him carry you across. I don’t want to create a problem out of nothing, but this is extremely confusing to me. Because I don’t exactly know what it means to “get in the boat” in regard to belief. It actually sounds like a feeling or something we have to have. I have even wondered if I am in Some way blind to the gospel or complicating things because I really am confused what this means and yet it is a common idea. And I think God is upset that I dont understand and I’m not sure he will clear it up because I’ve been told I over-annalyze and complicate things and maybe he is very upset about this as maybe I am rejecting the gospel by being unable to not have such questions!
I think these people make a problem by using examples that we don’t see in Scripture. Jesus didn’t complicate it. They are complicating it, not you. Keep reminding yourself, that the Word is the answer to the enemy. Jesus used ‘it is written’ each time to answer the enemy. Jesus doesn’t mind sincere questions. God loves you and desires none should perish, so no, you are not rejecting the gospel. This is why we have to be ever so careful who we listen to. There is no example in Scripture of ‘true’ faith, or ‘genuine faith’ or if you ‘really’ believe. Over and over again the word used is believe. Don’t listen to those who corrupt the simplicity in Christ themselves.
Just use the Word. We either believed who Jesus is and what He did or we didn’t. And when we believed He sealed us with His Spirit until the day of redemption.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30)
Sometimes we ask Him to help our unbelief (as believers) and remember that faith comes by hearing the Word. It is a big part of our armor, so don’t fret, just continue in His Word and His truth will set you free.
Thanks, it’s why I like to link the Bible verses, they make such a difference. My opinion is not important unless I can back it up with His Word. Love in Christ, Holly
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Excellent. Wonderful defense of the one and only gospel. Preach it, sister. The glorious gospel of the grace of God – that Jesus paid it ALL. He alone was the ransom: Heb 10: 10-14; Acts 13: 38, 39.
Thank you David. I mentioned the one passage, which I love, perfected forever by His one sacrifice. The second I almost posted with Col 2:13-15 (paying for all of our sins, or justified from all things). Thank you for posting it. God bless your week, and may He make us bold. Both to call evil evil, and to share the good news, for time surely is short.
This is really good! I’ll be sharing it on FB.
Thank you Kathy, May some consider the truth and believe. Praying with you.
Thanks again for such a clear representation of the gospel! Nothing is more encouraging than the Good News. I am praying for all, including the Taliban, that by believing that Jesus is Lord, we might all be ready for His coming.
Thank you very much John. I’m praying with you, for the young and old, in all countries, to realize something is going on, and that they are desperately needing a Savior. The Taliban and most in those Muslim Countries have never heard God loves them. They don’t understand Jesus was more than a prophet, but the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the one and only way to the Father. I pray for all to wake up and realize that now is the day of salvation.
Holly,
Do you believe it is biblical when someone says “faith/belief is not merely believing a boat can save you, but you must actually get in the boat”? Or another example someone gave is that this guy was going to walk across a tightrope and he asked an audience if they believed he could safely get across with a person on his back. They said yes, but supposedly “true faith” would be climbing on the guy’s back and letting him carry you across. I don’t want to create a problem out of nothing, but this is extremely confusing to me. Because I don’t exactly know what it means to “get in the boat” in regard to belief. It actually sounds like a feeling or something we have to have. I have even wondered if I am in Some way blind to the gospel or complicating things because I really am confused what this means and yet it is a common idea. And I think God is upset that I dont understand and I’m not sure he will clear it up because I’ve been told I over-annalyze and complicate things and maybe he is very upset about this as maybe I am rejecting the gospel by being unable to not have such questions!
I think these people make a problem by using examples that we don’t see in Scripture. Jesus didn’t complicate it. They are complicating it, not you. Keep reminding yourself, that the Word is the answer to the enemy. Jesus used ‘it is written’ each time to answer the enemy. Jesus doesn’t mind sincere questions. God loves you and desires none should perish, so no, you are not rejecting the gospel. This is why we have to be ever so careful who we listen to. There is no example in Scripture of ‘true’ faith, or ‘genuine faith’ or if you ‘really’ believe. Over and over again the word used is believe. Don’t listen to those who corrupt the simplicity in Christ themselves.
Just use the Word. We either believed who Jesus is and what He did or we didn’t. And when we believed He sealed us with His Spirit until the day of redemption.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30)
Sometimes we ask Him to help our unbelief (as believers) and remember that faith comes by hearing the Word. It is a big part of our armor, so don’t fret, just continue in His Word and His truth will set you free.
Holly
Thank you, that really helped, more than you can know.
Thanks, it’s why I like to link the Bible verses, they make such a difference. My opinion is not important unless I can back it up with His Word. Love in Christ, Holly