GRACE
- The Bible says, “ . . . the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). And because Heaven is a gift, like any other genuine gift, it is not earned or deserved.
- No amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in Heaven for you. “For by grace are you 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).
MAN
- Man is a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is transgressing God’s law and includes such things as lying, lust, cheating, deceit, evil thoughts, immoral behavior, and more.
- And because of this, man cannot save himself. If you wanted to save yourself by good deeds, do you know how good you would have to be? “Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
With such a high standard, no one can save himself.
GOD
- God is merciful, and therefore doesn’t want to punish us.
- This is because “ . . . God is love” (1 John 4:8). And He says, “ . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
- But the same Bible which tells us that God loves us, also tells us that God is just and therefore must punish sin. He says “. . . (I) will by no means clear the guilty . . .” (Exodus 34:7). And “. . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4)
We have a problem. God solved this problem for us in the Person of Jesus Christ.
CHRIST
- Who is He? The Bible tells us clearly that He is the infinite God-Man. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus). . . and the Word (Jesus) was God. And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . .” (John 1:1,14).
- Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a sinless life, but while on earth, what did he do? He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place for us in Heaven. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity (sin) of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
- Jesus Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross and now offers you eternal life (Heaven) as a free gift.
This gift is received by faith.
FAITH
- Many people mistake two things for saving faith:
- Saving faith is not mere head knowledge, like believing certain historical facts. The Bible says that the devil believes there is one God, so believing that there is one God is not saving faith.
- Saving faith is also not mere temporal faith, that is, trusting God for temporary crises such as financial, family, or physical needs. Now these are good, and you should trust Christ for these, but they are not saving faith!
- Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting upon Christ alone and what He has done rather than in what you or I have done to get us into Heaven.“. . . Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . .” (Acts 16:31).
The question that God is asking you now is would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your answer to the last question!
