SALVATION

Introduction

Over the last several years there have been many uncertainties. Nations have been affected by traumatic health scares, business closings, financial concerns, hunger, and even death. This battle has been very taxing on families and unfortunately, this may not be the end. We are still unsure of the total impact the virus and economic crisis has had on us personally or nationally. Since the Covid-19 virus hit, there have been hundreds of thousands die all across the world. We have all been touched by this pandemic in some way and it has left some uncertainties or turmoil. This is not the first time in history a pandemic has wreaked havoc, but it is possible to have peace in the midst of it all.

The Problem

In times past, disease has infected certain areas and thankfully the death rate was never 100%. There is a disease, far worse than any pandemic our world has ever had to fight against. That disease is sin and it has a 100% fatality rate. It is the greatest problem in all the world. Sin is in the heart of every individual and no man has ever been able to develop a cure in a lab. Sin has cursed every generation since the beginning of time. Sin is what separates us from God. Sin brings death to this world. Sin is what condemns a soul to hell.

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doth good and sinneth not.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1 John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  

We may have excellent health and a strong immune system. We may never contract an infectious disease. But we are all sinners and the Bible is clear that sin brings death.

Romans 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Every cemetery, every obituary column, every death certificate testifies that death comes to us all. But when the Bible speaks of death, it is not just the physical state of our body. That is what the Bible calls a second death.

Revelation 20:14-15  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

When a person dies in their sin, they leave this world and enter another of constant torments and fire for eternity. It is a horrible thought. We wish it were not so, but hell is real. We can’t ignore the testimony of the word of God.

Psalm 9:17  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Matthew 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Many religions have removed this from their doctrine, but we cannot hide this horrible truth no matter how detrimental it may be.

The Solution

But there is good news! There is a remedy and this remedy is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the son of God and he came into this world 2,000 years ago through the womb of a virgin, to be the savior of the world. The Bible speaks about him who knew no sin. Sin infected every human, but it could not touch him.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

But if death is the result of sin, and Jesus never sinned, then why did he die? The answer is—for us.

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.

The gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, he was buried, and rose from the grave on the third day. Jesus lived a perfect life, in complete obedience to the will of the Father. He never lied, cheated, stole, or lusted. He was perfect, he had no sin in him, nor did he commit any sin. He went to the cross and laid down his life as a substitution for our sin.

The Bible states that man is a sinner and God is the judge. As a sinner we face an eternal hell with no hope. Sometimes we may try to appease God by doing good deeds, giving to charity, being baptized, becoming a church member. But no matter how hard we try, we cannot pay for our own sins. We cannot do anything to keep ourselves from hell.

Ephesians 2:8–9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Since we cannot earn our way to Heaven, we must rely on Jesus Christ. He is the remedy for sin. He shed his blood on the cross at Calvary, he died, and he rose from the grave on the third day to pay for our sins. We must reconcile our sin debt with God and that can only be done through Christ.

Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The fact is that God loves us. He sent his only begotten son into this sinful world to die a cruel death and to shed his precious blood, to pay for the sins that we have committed. Now, you have heard the truth. If you believe the truth, you only need to call upon the Lord, and he will save you.