Eternal Life (Part 3 the Good News)

The Bible is clear, we are all sinners the day we are born into this world and sinners until the day we leave this world (cf. Ro. 3:23; 5; 12; 1John 1:10). The Bible does teach the reality of God’s wrath and indignation toward sinners. All sinners (i.e. everyone, everywhere) are under God’s judgment (see John 3:36; Ro. 2:8; 5:12; 6:23). God is just and fair to judge as He wishes. However, God is also full of mercy and grace. He became a man and bore our punishment in full on the cross. His precious blood was shed on our behalf. Although Jesus endured this physical pain and public humiliation, He also endured God’s wrath for all time and for all who will believe in Him. One can never pay for their own sin; that’s why hell is eternal. One can spend eternity in hell or trust in God’s solution, the Lord Jesus Christ alone “...the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

One might ask oneself a pointed question at this time, “Do I know Jesus as my own, personal savior?” This Jesus is the God-Man, who loves you and paid a horrible price, a death deserved by all sinners; for all have violated God’s holy standards. This same Jesus Who died for you, rose from the dead. He will come again with power to give all who trust in Him a home in heaven forever! Those who reject Him however, in much sorrow, will be thrown into the lake of fire. Do you know this Jesus? If you do, GLORY!!! If not, you can trust Him now and He will save you. His Word promises,

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9-13)

This is the good news! You can be saved from sin, death and the devil. How? Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him and He will forgive you and make His dwelling in you, in the person of the Holy Spirit. Then you can say with the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

We have spent much time looking at the good news of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Much more time and space could be devoted to this most holy and solemn doctrine. It is this writer’s conviction that if we are to mature in our walk with the Lord, we must be firm and grounded in our salvation. Secure in the Lord with complete assurance and confidence in His saving work and keeping power (cf. John 6:37; 1John 5:13), then we can grow and serve Him in a manner that pleases Him and benefits others. However, there may be those who are still troubled by some “problematic texts” of Scripture. These “problematic texts” must not be avoided. Yes, we ought to thrive on passages that are more readily understandable before we move on to the difficult passages. Nonetheless, we will persist “...to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 KJV).
__________________________________


I am taking my family on a get away. When we return I will begin to post on some problematic texts if God permits.