There are so many misconceptions of God's personality, especially on how He offers us salvation, because of many false teaching that have crept into the gospel that brings salvation. Many of these misconceptions include God being a random selector of persons, a tyrant, or an unjust punisher of innocent people who can't help themselves. Under these misconceptions, who would want to give their life over to God? But I'd like to set the record straight, so you can see God for who He really is, loving and yet respecter individual's freedom of choice.
Like almost all plans we have to recognize a need, find a solution, apply that solution, what part do you play, and guarantee of result.
1. Do we have a problem?
Like almost all plans we have to recognize a need, find a solution, apply that solution, what part do you play, and guarantee of result.
1. Do we have a problem?
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and IN SIN did my mother CONCEIVED ME.
Romans 3:10-12 10 As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, no, not one. Romans 3:23 For ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God; 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. |
Most religions of the world suggest we are born good. Islam and Hinduism teaches that we all start out good and can just keep adding to our goodness. However, God makes it clear. We not only are we not good, we aren't even born good. Think about it. How soon does it take a toddler or even babies to find out what is expected or desired of them and do just the opposite? Our term for this is rebellion.
This of course doesn't go away as we become adults either. We have a propensity to break any law that's placed over us. This includes God's morale laws. However what does change with our age is our ability to try to justify our misbehavior. It usually involves us pointing to the misbehavior of others. This of course does not negate the fact that we are still law breakers and therefore on the wrong side of God's Law.
For those who think they do enough good stuff to offset their bad, God says plainly you break any one law and you are GUILTY of breaking them all. Also God requires us to keep the law in our Deeds, Thoughts, Motives, and Intentions at all times to be good enough.
This of course doesn't go away as we become adults either. We have a propensity to break any law that's placed over us. This includes God's morale laws. However what does change with our age is our ability to try to justify our misbehavior. It usually involves us pointing to the misbehavior of others. This of course does not negate the fact that we are still law breakers and therefore on the wrong side of God's Law.
For those who think they do enough good stuff to offset their bad, God says plainly you break any one law and you are GUILTY of breaking them all. Also God requires us to keep the law in our Deeds, Thoughts, Motives, and Intentions at all times to be good enough.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
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2. What is the solution?
The fairest solution is that every man takes responsibility of the results of their actions, thoughts, motives, and intentions. We did the crime/crimes we do the time. What is the punishment for breaking God's Law? That's simply death of the offender and after that eternal separation from God. Since the Lake of Fire is the only place God won't be, that is basically where we all get to spend eternity. Not a very fun prospect. However, God, in his graciousness, provided a way out.
The fairest solution is that every man takes responsibility of the results of their actions, thoughts, motives, and intentions. We did the crime/crimes we do the time. What is the punishment for breaking God's Law? That's simply death of the offender and after that eternal separation from God. Since the Lake of Fire is the only place God won't be, that is basically where we all get to spend eternity. Not a very fun prospect. However, God, in his graciousness, provided a way out.
John 3:16-17
16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Isaiah 53:5-6 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. |
So God had his Son, Jesus, pay the price for every man, woman, and children, who has is living, has lived, and will live. That includes you and me. Everybody of the human race. It is like you or I being jailed on death row awaiting execution and Jesus coming along and sitting in the electric chair for us and being executed in our place. So the payment for our misbehavior better known as attonement has already been made for ALL men.
3. How is this solution applied?
3. How is this solution applied?
Mark 16:16 [Jesus speaking the Great Commission]
He that BELIEVETH and is baptized SHALL BE SAVED; but he that BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 16:31 And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9 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. 1 Corinthians 1:21 For seeing the world by wisdom knew not God in the wisdom of GOD, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE: |
God would never ask someone to do something they weren't capable of doing. So obviously God is placing before us a choice. Why would God even want to give us a choice? What some of us don't know is we were built with the ability to love and I'm not talking the erotic love either. Rather this love is social necessity to be with others and our God. Psychologist have long known that a human without social interaction is soon a dead human. This is why solitary confinement is so dangerous.
But love that is forced or not willingly given isn't really love is it? So yes would like our love of Him but likewise refuses to take unless we willing choose to love Him. Instead of programming us like robots to love Him, he instead chooses demonstrate His love to us by paying our debt for our misbehavior (a debt we could not pay off even with a lifetime of goodness since we are inherently bad for our lifetime). |
Matthew 9:13 "for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Romans 5:6-9 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
Therefore this whole salvation was bought with a price, the death of the perfect Son of God, Jesus. And in doing this God was able to offer every person a free gift of complete forgiveness. This and only this gift would allow you to be with God for eternity. Without it, you'd have to spend your eternity in the only place God is not. That would be the Lake of Fire, which was prepared not for you but rather the Devil and his angels. You'd end up there by default.
But the great news is that while any of us is alive God is holding out the gift that would allow you to live with Him forever. All you have to do, as with any gift is take it claiming it as your own. |
Its not difficult. It has no strings attached. It doesn't require to giving anything to a person or a church or an organization. Nothing beyond honestly repenting (means turning 180 degrees) of your sins and asking Jesus into your heart and life is needed. Won't you make this FREE gift your own right now? Just pray this prayer to make God's gift your own:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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4. Guarantee of Results
Now for the hardest part for even people who accepted Christ years ago. Because God works quietly upon the heart by your believing, you won't hear angels sing or a booming voice saying 'You are my child.' So how do I know I truly accepted Jesus and am safe from God's anger? Again the Bible assures us:
Now for the hardest part for even people who accepted Christ years ago. Because God works quietly upon the heart by your believing, you won't hear angels sing or a booming voice saying 'You are my child.' So how do I know I truly accepted Jesus and am safe from God's anger? Again the Bible assures us:
1 John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Titus 1:1-2 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; |
There you have it. The Bible confirms if you believe in Jesus you will be saved. There is no God might save you or if He feels like it or is happy will save you. God says YOU ARE SAVED! And as in Titus, God does not and can not lie. Nor does He take back what He has given. Once you have given your life to Jesus you can rest knowing God guarantees your salvation forever.
Still not enough proof that you are saved? Guess what? Jesus added in more proof still
Still not enough proof that you are saved? Guess what? Jesus added in more proof still
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. |
Simply put, a changed heart will produce good actions, just like a good tree would produce good fruit. Also you should not need to make a conscious effort to exhibit good actions. The new nature in you will naturally and at all times produce good actions. Does this mean if you do a few bad actions that you are not saved? No it just says for the large majority of the time you will produce good actions and good works. You may slip up now and then like even the best fruit trees occasionally produce 1 or 2 bad sour fruit. But the majority of the time a good fruit tree will produce good fruit.
You do not need to question your salvation when a few bad fruits show up. Also remember if you are God's child, he will correct you if you are wrong. After all no one would bother correcting a child that is not their's. If you weren't saved you wouldn't care about producing bad works. Also the simple fact that you feel guilt or bad that you produced bad works or actions, proves that you are saved. Just admit them and ask for forgiveness from Jesus in prayer and turn 180 degrees from them.
You do not need to question your salvation when a few bad fruits show up. Also remember if you are God's child, he will correct you if you are wrong. After all no one would bother correcting a child that is not their's. If you weren't saved you wouldn't care about producing bad works. Also the simple fact that you feel guilt or bad that you produced bad works or actions, proves that you are saved. Just admit them and ask for forgiveness from Jesus in prayer and turn 180 degrees from them.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |