Biblical Prophecy Resource Center

Salvation

You have very likely heard someone say to you (perhaps even in a very foreboding voice), “The wages of sin is death!” But this one line sounds very different depending on your background. Most well meaning people who say statements like this forget that, in large part, people just don’t have the context for this to make any real sense. What they tend to hear is “If you are a serial killer, you will be cast out forever” with varying forms of punishment, depending on the hearer’s background.

What needs to be lovingly said, rather than quoting Bible verses as if they were cliches, is that no one can measure up to the standards by which God must judge His creation. If you have problems with this statement, please review God’s definition of sin and death. Since it is obvious that no one is perfect, it follows that no one, on their own, can pass muster during God’s judgement.

This is exactly why God walked the earth as the person of Jesus. The Bible says we have inherited our tendency to sin from Adam. God used the birth of Jesus through a virgin to show that Jesus does not have a sin nature, being Himself God. This made Him the only possible lasting sacrifice for our sins which would satisfy God’s perfect justice.

Since sin must be punished with death, Jesus paid the price of our sins by His death on the cross. This He did for each of us, individually, because He loves us so much. All your sins, past, present and future, were covered by the blood of Jesus. Your name was on His mind as He accepted this punishment on your behalf.

Many people will say that there are lots of ways to heaven. But, if you believe in a God powerful enough to create the entire universe and everything in it, He must, by definition, be perfect. And, since He is perfect, He knows the best way to heaven. Since He knows it is the best way, there is no need to make any other way available. To presume upon God to make a way to heaven just to suit you, to say that the way to heaven He describes in His Word just can’t be right is to look God right in the face and tell Him He is wrong. But if God is wrong in anything, then He isn’t really God. So, His one way to heaven must be the right, and only, way.

If you agree with God that you cannot face judgement alone and that He really did pay the price for your sins by dying on the cross, if you are willing to give control (lordship) of your life over to Jesus, then tell God these things. If you really mean them, you will be saved from the eternal punishment we all deserve. You will be born again into a life without end. God has promised this by the bodily and literal resurrection of Jesus.

Do not assume that He cannot save you. It does not matter what you have or haven’t done in your life. He wants to meet you right where you are. We all need fixing, but that can’t happen until you and God begin working together in His unending and unconditional love. The only person whom God cannot save is the person who will not let Him do so.

Becoming a born-again believer will not cure your life’s ills. God may miraculously cure you of some things, but others He will leave for you and He to work on together. He does not want you to ever forget that you should always rely on Him and that you will always, always need Him.

Becoming a believer takes more than an acceptance of the Truth of God in the mind. It requires the change in heart and attitude that comes only from placing the control of your life in the hands of Jesus. This is, and must be, a serious commitment. It requires the commitment to suffer or even die for the Truth. The wonderful thing is that, if you are willing, you don’t even need the strength to do this; God will give it to you.

If you have become a new believer, please find a Bible-believing church. If the church is true to God, they will help you to begin learning more about God and the relationship you just started. God exhorts us in His Word to worship together and help each other learn and grow in our knowledge and love for Him.

If you have become a new believer, it is a great honor for us to say, “Welcome to the family of God!” We are looking forward to seeing you in heaven.

Please send any comments, questions and/or suggestions to us. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Last updated on December 20, 2000 at 11:45 PM