howiecombs

• Member since: 2/17/2011
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Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Has He Saved YOU?

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).

Jesus Christ came into the world to save you from the guilt and consequences of your sins. He willingly died and shed His blood at Calvary to pay your penalty and to provide for your cleansing. Not only will His salvation deliver you from eternal death and hell, but because He is risen from the dead, it will give you the present possessions of eternal life, forgiveness of all your sins, and the sure hope of being in heaven with Him forever. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Are You Ready?

Please regard this as a personal appeal. You must meet God. Are you ready? In comparison with this question all others sink into utter insignificance; before it all other problems pale. You may be successful in business, brilliant in your profession, and healthy in your body and mind; you may be religious and respected by your friends, but "what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). This is the solemn unanswered question of Scripture.

To be ready to meet God requires a new birth. Have you been born again? This is more than success, more than health, more than religion, more than respectability. These may all be present and the essential new birth unknown. "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This statement is unequivocal. It cannot be evaded. It was uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ. The necessity for the new birth arises from the fact that as born into this world we all spring from a sinful stock, we all are sinners. This effectually bars fellowship with God. Sin is contrary to the nature of God. He hates it. He is "of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness" (Habakkuk 1:13).

While God hates sin, He loves sinners, whether they tread the clean or filthy side of the broad road. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's judgment on sin fell upon Christ on the Cross, and there is cleansing and forgiveness for all who believe on Him. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). Thus by new birth, by receiving Christ, by believing He died for my sins, I am born into the family of God, and can answer the question, "Are You Ready?" with a glad and confident, "Yes!"

Have you known this change? Have you experienced this new birth? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Do not resent these personal questions. Were I to tell you of a path to wealth and fame you would doubtless give eager consideration to my proposals, however incredible they might appear. This new birth may seem to you incredible. Tens of thousands, however, know its reality in their heart and life. Do not therefore refuse to face the problem because of its seeming incredibility. Put the matter to the test. Do it now. The terms are simple: "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Will you receive Him, the living Christ of God who died, rose again, and now offers salvation to all who believe on Him? Will you trust Him now as your very own Savior? It is not the reception of a creed, or identification with a sect, or becoming a religious person that saves. It is the acceptance of a Person, the Son of God. Your acceptance or rejection of Him answers the solemn question, "Are You Ready?"

Thus the issue is very clear, and the point is very fine. Christ is the test. In none other is there salvation—in church, or creed, or religion—"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). Therefore, believe on Him and be saved. Meet God you must! Are YOU ready?

—L.W.G.A.