Some people spend their whole lives searching for the "stairway to heaven." Some people look in the wrong places for this "stairway." They look in places like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. They are sincere, yet sincerely wrong. They starve themselves, crawl on their knees for miles, and even blow themselves up. Their effort and zeal displayed for their god is effort and zeal that is so sadly wasted, never to be rewarded. However, there are others who are simply searching- searching for the truth. Many of these people believe that truth is subjective to the lives and opinions of those who behold it. However, what these people neglect to understand is that truth is not subjective. Truth is an object to be viewed and admired by those who seek it. The moment that truth changes it ceases to be the truth. Therefore, truth cannot be subjective; it must be objective. The only source of truth is the Word of God.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL MEN ARE SINNERS:"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
1. We are sinners by nature
"All we like sheep have gone astray..." (Isaiah 53:6a)
Though it is not an excuse to do wrong, it is our very nature to rebel against God. The perpetual nature of sin, which has been inherited by every person naturally concieved, is one reason that all men are sinners.
2. We are sinners by choice
"...we have turned everyone to his own way..." (Isaiah 53:6b)
Let it be known that everone that sins chooses to do so. Though we all have a sinful nature, every sin that is committed is an individual choice. It is a product of our sin nature; but we are always personally accountable for our decisions.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL MEN ARE DEPRAVED:"...All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6b)
- Even our best "righteous" effort amounts to nothing but filthy rags. Our good works do not merit access into heaven. In fact, good works amount to nothing more than "filthy rags." Because of the fact that we are all sinners, even our good works become sin. This is because God is so holy and so righteous that no unholiness or unrighteousness can ever be in His presence in heaven. Without a spiritual intercessor, we cannot get to heaven. There must be a redeemer- someone who can make atonement and intercession for the sin that separates us from God. Without such a person, mankind is destined for destruction.
"They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Romans 3:12)
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL SIN MUST BE PAYED FOR:"For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
God is a judge. If that is true, then God is by necessity a righteous judge. He cannot let sin go unpunished. A righteous judge must punish sin. The payment for our sin is death. Death is a perpetual product of sin.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire; this is the second death." (Revelation 20:14)
Though death is a product of sin, it is not the end of sin. The end of sin for the unbeliever is eternity in the lake of fire. This means that those who die in sin will spend an eternity in hell, burning in the unquenchable lake of fire. This is the only way that you and I can truly pay for the demand of our sin.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR SINNERS:"...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)
The righteousness that the holy Law of God demands can only be found in God Himself. So if God is the One who demands righteousness and God is the only source of righteousness, then how does a person obtain such righteousness? The Bible says that Jesus is God's divine Son. He was born of a virgin- concieved in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost. Jesus had no earthly father. This means that His deity was preserved in His virgin birth. This also means that the righteousness of God dwelt in the person of Christ. When He was thirty-three years old, Jesus- having never sinned- died a righteous death upon a cross. This death was a substitutionary death for all men.
""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." (Isaiah 53:5)
The only source of righteousness is in the vicarious death of Jesus Christ. Though the wages of sin demands death, Jesus took our death and our hell. He conquered them both when He was crucified and buried in a tomb.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT JESUS CAN SAVE SINNERS:"...Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen..." (Luke 24:5b-6a)
The righteous demand of God was not necissarily met until Jesus arose from the grave and ascended into heaven. His empty grave is proof that He is alive and that the payment for sin has been presented to our Judge.
"Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
Why is his resurrection significant?
It is significant because He abides in the presence of the Judge, remaining there eternally to make intercession for sin.
Whose sin is He making intercession for ?
The Bible says that He is pleading the cause of those who "come unto God by Him." The Bible says that He will save those that come to Him for salvation "to the uttermost." This means that He will completely, thoroughly save everyone that trusts Him for salvation. The free invitation of salvation has been extended to all who will give heed to the spiritually call. Jesus is calling. He is saying, "Come."
So the questions remain: How do I come to God? How do I make Jesus' sacrifice applicable to my depraved condition?
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED." (Romans 10:9)
The Bible says that we must confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus. The word confess means "to say the same thing as." To say the same thing as Who? God.
So what must we confess about God? 1. We must confess that without Christ we would spend eternity in hell, paying for our sin.
2. We must confess that Jesus Christ's sacrifice was a sufficient and acceptable payment for our sin.
3. We must confess that Jesus is risen from the dead, has ascended into heaven, and that He ever lives to save those that seek Him for salvation.
The Bible also says that we must believe in our hearts that God has raised Jesus from the grave:
1. If Jesus is risen from the grave, then He has power over death.
2. If Jesus is risen from the grave and is does not abide on earth, then He is in Heaven as a righteous witness on our behalf.
Therefore in order for a person to be saved, they must confess to God their sin and spiritual need for Jesus sacrifice with his or her mouth and must believe in his or her heart that Jesus can and will saved them. This prayer must be personal and heart-felt. This committment should be one of gratitude to God for the free gift of salvation.
If you are reading this and have not been saved, then please don't pass by this opportunity! Please give heed to the call of Jesus. He is calling for you: "Come."
No comments:
Post a Comment