“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
Jesus Christ’s message of salvation has been broadcast to the whole world several times over. The above quotation of Scripture englobes ‘everyone,’ without exception. The salvation bell was rung at the Garden of Eden when God declared that the posterity of the woman (referring to Mary’s offspring--Jesus) would crush the devil’s Head (Satan) for the redemption of humanity at large. (Genesis 3:15)
God in His goodness and mercy offers humanity grace, in order words He “...wants all men [everyone] to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) Hell was not intended for humans but for the devil and his demons. However, when we adamantly pursue the path of ungodliness, we make the choice to spend eternity in hell – the abode of the deceiver.
God is Mighty to save.
The Bible declares that God does not wish for His children to be ungodly and disobedient. So He sent His Son to show us the right path to follow. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)
God gave His best – His One and Only Son – to save humanity from ultimate death. He did it at a price -- by putting His Son’s life on the line. Therefore, we understand this Scripture which says; “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18)
To be saved requires only one gesture on our part. It is not by the wave of a magic wand but by consciously admitting that we are sinners who neither merit salvation nor deserve to be saved because we have been ‘tainted’ through and through by sin. The prescription is given “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.” (Romans 10:9)
When God created Man in the Garden, he was made in God’s image and likeness. But when Adam and Eve sinned their DNA was altered. They lost their godly characteristics. To affirm this, when Adam begat Cain, the Bible puts it this way: “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image.” (Genesis 5:3) Adam had become identified with the kind of person he had become after sinning. To be redeemed, he had to be born again and that is what our Lord Jesus told professor Nicodemus. “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) This was news to the professor. “You are Israel’s teacher and do you not understand these things.” (John 3:10)
Possible for all mankind
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The gift that God makes of His Son is received only after we believe in His redeeming grace. It is a gift wrapped with eternal life that God offers to the world. Such a gift saves us from eternal death. “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Furthermore, sin is a killer. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) We miss out when we indulge in sin which is the domain of God’s archenemy.
Divine pardon promised
For the repentant sinner who turns from his wickedness, God declares; “I, even I, I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25) True repentance is what God expects of us; His ability is to forgive us for all our sins – past, present and future.
We have been forgiven.
Never believe God is angry with you. To every genuinely repentant sinner, He welcomes with open arms. Isn’t it amazing how this great God can wipe our sin-plate clean by forgiving us totally? “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18)
No condemnation
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) Entry into the realm of eternal life is not because of our earthly performance; it is not earned. The first step is to own up that we are sinners and associate ourselves with ‘the one who qualifies the unqualified.’ Just the mere fact that we acknowledge our Lord Jesus alone as the “only begotten Son of God” means having our sins washed away. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) We have passed from life to death.
God in His infinite mercy has extended His amazing grace to everyone irrespective of nationality, colour or belief. It cuts across the board. There is a deadline though, for when our Lord Jesus returns, He will be coming to claim His own - the Church, His Bride. Make sure you are among the saints, ready to go!