(Ephesians 2:8,9)
As you can imagine, each day I get tons of emails
with questions on all types of topics. Of everything we discuss, the most
important subject there is is salvation. I want to use this time today to
clarify for many out there who will be in Heaven. The salvation equation
is very simple. It is: by God's grace, our faith, plus NOTHING. There is
only ONE way to Heaven...a personal faith in Jesus Christ. There is only
ONE road to Heaven. That means that the type of church you belong to will
not get you into Heaven, no amount of good works will get you into Heaven,
you can't buy your way into Heaven...the only way to Heaven is through a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is God's plan as He clearly
lays out it in the Bible.
The church is a place where people should be able to find a personal
relationship with Christ, a place of fellowship, a place to be fed
spiritually, a place where people can use their talents to serve God.
Membership in a church WILL NOT get you into Heaven when you die. There are
many people who go through life doing wonderful things, helping people, and
living good lives. There are no amount of good works you can do in this
lifetime to eliminate the sin we were all born with. Being a good person
WILL NOT get you into Heaven when you die. There is only one way to get to
Heaven, and that is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!!!
My friend, the message I want you to understand today is that God has made a
simple way for His fallen children to be reconciled back into an everlasting
relationship. Many have tried to complicate the issue of salvation. It is
actually very simple. Recognize that you are a sinner. Repent, turn away
from your sins, and ask God to forgive you. Accept by faith Jesus Christ
into your heart and surrender your life to Him. Why Jesus? Because in
God's plan, it was His sacrifice that paid for our sins. You see, Jesus
already paid the price for our sins. That is why there are no amount of
good works, no amount of money, nothing you can do on your own because He
already paid the price. Some feel baptism is part of the salvation
experience, but baptism is simply an outward sign of the inward work of
salvation. In essence, baptism would be a "work" and today's scripture
clearly tells us that salvation is by grace, through faith, and NOT of
works.
Some ask about those who accept Christ on their deathbed, and how unfair it
is for them to go to Heaven after a life of sin and rebellion. First of
all, in perspective, this life is but a "vapor", as the Bible calls it, in
comparison with eternity. You have to remember that those who rebelled
during their life and come to Christ at the end, missed the joy, peace, and
blessings of this life, and must have suffered greatly on the inside living
apart from God during those years on earth. The important fact is, that like
you and me they are sinners who are saved by God's grace. Many ask if you can lose your salvation. I am not going to get into the age-old
theological debate of "once saved always saved", but will share my personal
convictions from years of study of the Scripture and the limited
understanding of God I have. Part of the salvation equation is God's grace.
To lose your salvation means that God would withdraw His grace. I have
never been able to get over the hurdle that God would take His grace away,
and of course the question becomes, at what point would He? I personally
believe that if you make a sincere commitment to Christ by faith you are
saved. If you rebel, you lose the blessings, the peace, and the joy. Much like
the prodigal son never stopped being His father's son, but lost out on the
blessings of living in submission to his father, and endured much pain and
heartache for rebelling. The bottom line, though, is follow Christ and you
never have to worry about losing your salvation.
I love you and care about you deeply. I pray that this helps many of you
clarify in your mind and heart the most important issue of our
life...determining where we will spend eternity. If you are reading this
today and do not have the assurance that you will spend eternity in Heaven,
or you have never accepted by faith Jesus Christ into your life, than let me
encourage you to do it today. The Bible tells us that TODAY is the day of
salvation. Don't wait another minute. Take a few minutes and go to my
website at www.liveprayer.com and click on the menu item "Salvation".
Listen to this short message on salvation, then as the Holy Spirit brings you
under conviction, pray the special prayer to accept Jesus Christ into your
heart as your Lord and Savior. Email me and let me know you have accepted
Christ into your heart, and I will be happy to send you at no charge some
special information to help you in your new-found relationship with Christ.
May you be richly blessed today as God quickens to your Spirit these words.
For those who know Jesus, let me challenge you to print this Devotional and
share it with at least 3 people in your life who need to know Jesus as their
personal Savior. I will be in prayer with you for these words to open
hearts, and for the Holy Spirit to bring them under conviction.
