Sunday, July 29, 2012

JESUS, MY ONLY SAVIOR




But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save TO THE UTTERMOST those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, FOR THIS HE DID ONCE FOR ALL WHEN HE OFFERED UP HIMSELF.” – Hebrews 7:24-27

If you lived in a country where you were not allowed to wear the color purple, and today that law was broken, what color would you wear tomorrow?  I’m betting it would be purple – and for some of us it would be head to toe!  We’d be so thankful for being out from under such a hard law that we’d immediately move into the freedom of not having the law.

That’s why I have such a problem understanding why people want to pin additional deeds to being saved beyond believing in Jesus and accepting Him as your savior.  The Word is crystal clear on the matter.  But some want to live under the old laws, thinking they have to obey all the laws given to man in the Bible in order to achieve righteousness.  Listen carefully, if we could do it on our own – Jesus’ life and death were unnecessary.  Listen to what God’s word says:

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” – John 3:36

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” – John 6:47

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, of whom I am chief.  However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to BELIEVE ON HIM FOR EVERLASTING LIFE.” – 1 Timothy 1:15-16

“let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. NOR IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMOUNG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.” – Acts 4:10-12

“that if you CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THE LORD JESUS AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” – Romans 10:9-11

even the righteousness of God, THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO ALL AND ON ALL WHO BELIEVE. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRADE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” – Romans 3:22-24

I think it’s pretty clear that all that’s required of us for salvation is to believe in Jesus for it.  It’s the A-B-C’s of Christianity again.  Admit you are a sinner (“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23), Believe that Jesus is God’s son, crucified for your sins and risen to Heaven, and Confess Him as your savior. 

Why do we want to complicate things saying that we can lose our salvation if we don’t live a perfect life?  Is the life He gives eternal or temporary?  How does the Holy Spirit who moves into your heart at the time of salvation suddenly vacate the temple of your soul?  Tell me where that is in scripture.  Instead, let me show you want it does say on the matter:

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” – Hebrews 6:4-6

Would you have Jesus to be crucified again?  Was His death not enough?  If so, then why did My High Priest SIT DOWN at the right hand of God when He arose?  A priest never sat in the days of the earthly priesthood.  His work in offering sacrifices was never over. 

My Savior has done enough.  And He did it all because there was nothing righteous in me to make it happen on my own – and there still isn’t.  Don’t complicate salvation.  It’s meant to be reachable by all – even to the weakest of us. 

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