October 31st, 2009 JESUS CHRIST THE AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION
JESUS CHRIST THE AUTHOR OF SALVATION FOR THE WORLD
It is a tragic situation to see someone you love in desperation crying out for help and no matter how much you try to help them it’s to no avail. Seeing the one you love in a life and death struggle and being unable to offer meaningful assistance is heart winching to say the least, although your heart goes out to that person, you’re unsuccessful in providing real help that can bring about change for the better.
For many of us that has been a scenario that has been played out time and time again in our life; seeing a love one torn and defeated from the hardships and trials that people often have to deal with in this life. We extend ourselves in every way hoping to bring about positive changes in that person(s) life, but sad to say, many times our best efforts prove to be failed attempts that bring no real benefits, and our love ones are left suffering, despondent and depressed.
Neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, psychologists and counselors each have devoted their lives to helping men and women who suffer from mental and emotional problems. Through extensive research and testing, men and women in these professions have labored night and day, year in and year out to find cures for those who are oppressed and tormented, and it’s not uncommon for some victims to lose all hope in being cured, ending their life on a lonely and tragic note.
In a highly technological age that we are living in, where a premium is placed on a quality education, it’s troubling to see that there are still so many people that are dealing with mental and emotional issues that effects their daily living. Even highly educated and intelligent professionals, like the ones mention above who have dedicated their lives to helping people are in many cases in need of help themselves, and are struggling with the same identical problems as the people they are trying to help. It’s no wonder that for many receiving some type of mental or psychological treatment, it is a life long pursuit because there really is no cure that man can provide.
Man was created to have a loving and lasting relationship with the Father, Jehovah (Yahweh) God Almighty, we were made to commune with Him and to rely on Him in a trusting and faithful way. It was and is God’s desire that all men seek Him early and abide by His statues, precepts, and commandments. He wants all of mankind to be in subjection to His word and will because He loves us and knows what is best for us, but we who are sinful by nature have desires and plans of our own that does not include Him. Our concept of “free will”, is to do what we want to do (I’m doing my thing); when we want to do it; how we want to do it, and the way we choose to do it…and we relentlessly pursue those goals without giving God a second thought. But we do it to our own detriment and we pierce ourselves with many sorrows over and over again. Even though our reckless quest to achieve glory, honor and aggrandizement often takes us to the brink of death, we continue that journey, forgetting about God’s plans for us and His purpose for our very existence.
The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob; the God of the Hebrews (Yahweh/Jehovah), is a God of Love (1John 4:8); a God that is merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31); a God that is long suffering (Psalms 86:15), and a God that is quick to forgive (Daniel 9:9). When we refuse to surrender to the will of God and instead, we follow our own dreams and inclinations; we soon come to the realization that we are still unfulfilled and restless in our soul. In defiance we continually strive to set and reach even loftier goals than before, but our madness only ends in more madness, and we are left with an emptiness that we cannot fill; a void that is deep and troubling—a voice screaming out from within for help. Yes, it is true that God allows us to choose our own path and make our own decisions, but we are warned that choosing a path that is contrary to God’s will can cost you your life—both physically and spiritually (Genesis 3:1-7). Sure, you can follow Frank Sinatra’s hit song “I did it my way”, but look at the cost. Your life! Being arrogant and presumptuous will cause you to lose the free gift of salvation that God has made available to all of mankind.
“For God So Love The World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son That Whosoever Believeth Would Receive Eternal Life,” (John 3:16). In His unyielding and undying love for mankind, God sent His Son whom He love and is well pleased with (Matthew 3:17) into the world to become the sacrificial lamb who would take away the sins of the world through His death on the cross. It is the precious blood of Jesus Christ that atones for the sins of the whole world.
Although He was without sin, He stood in the breach for the sinful, and suffered the death on the cross for all of us. Through His stripes (beating) we were healed and His healing is timeless for a sick and perverted world. All of our sins and iniquities were nailed to the cross when Jesus died for us. We must not allow so great an opportunity to escape us because of satanic blinders that keeps us in the dark. We must not allow so great an opportunity for repentance to pass on by without us turning from following Satan the devil and receiving salvation through our lord and savior Jesus Christ who loves us so much until He willingly gave His own life for us.
There is no greater gift than God giving His Son to redeem us all…what an unfair exchange, but nevertheless, God in His infinite love for mankind willingly chose to send His Son into the world to redeem us sinners. We truly are indebted to both the Father (Jehovah God) and the Son (Jesus Christ) for their undying love for the whole world.
In conclusion, it is God’s loving desire and will, that all men come into repentance and be baptize and receive salvation. He wants every one to be saved and to be in a loving relationship with Him and His Son Jesus Christ. And that’s what salvation is all about—LOVE. God’s love for his children keeps calling out to us each and every day in hope that we will not harden our hearts and continue down a road of sin and degradation. It’s His will that we come into a peaceful and loving relationship with Him and our saviour Jesus Christ.
Repent, be baptized, and receive God’s Holy Spirit that He freely gives to those who seek Him and choose to be obedient to His word and will. If you haven’t received Christ, received him now; all you have to day is pray and ask God to forgive you of all your sins, and open the door of your heart and let Jesus in (Romans 9:11) My friend, everything hinges on this one act, so why not take what God has so lovingly given? Why continue down a course of rebelliousness that will surely end in you being rejected by God because you rejected His Son Jesus Christ who gave His life for you? Why jeopardize your future with the prospect of eternal damnation for refusing to receive Jesus, when it’s true that through His love for you and me, we live; and now have access to the throne of grace?
There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12), and to look any other place is fruitless; it will end in your destruction, but it doesn’t have to be that way at all. That’s why God made all the provisions that He made for all of His children and there is no respect of persons with Him. You can receive salvation today—right now, just ask Jesus Christ into your life. May the God of heaven keep you until we meet again. Amen.
Note: All scriptures in this article was referenced from the King James bible and the NIV Life Application study bible (c) 1991.
(c) Copyright 2009, Donald Thomas
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