Jesus said, the Gospel "will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations" (Matt 24:14). Accomplishing the "great commission" though, requires that Christians extend salvation to the world, on God's terms.
If you're involved in evangelism, you may have noticed that the huge box-office success of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, makes it much easier to broach the message of the cross. While millions of people have viewed the movie though, it undoubtedly is raising more questions than it answers related to salvation.
Expecting a corresponding spike in Church attendance, reminiscent of post-9/11, many Church leaders seek to leverage this film's momentum by energizing their base for evangelism. With this in mind, I have posted 3 articles this month that deal with this objective.
The first op-ed (Becoming a Contagious Christian), describes Willow Creek's popular method of outreach, by way of "relationship evangelism." The second commentary, is a Easter message redux (Lord of the Kings), which discusses the three-fold office of Jesus. And the third article (Who do you say that I AM?), is an extended version of the Gospel, which embraces both a "ministry of reconciliation" theme, as well as the requirement for Lordship.
The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is both our Leader and Forgiver. Prepare to meet your King...
Becoming a Contagious Christian
“If we are not teaching people how to be saved, it is perhaps because we have forgotten the tragedy of being lost! If we’re not teaching the message of forgiveness, it may be because we don’t remember what it was like to be guilty. And if we’re not preaching the cross, it could be that we’ve subconsciously decided that—God forbid—somehow we don’t need it.”
(Max Lucado, Six Hours One Friday)
Do we sincerely believe that knowing Christ is the best way to live and the only way to die? Are we convinced that everyone we know, without exception, needs to find the forgiveness, friendship, life, and leadership Jesus offers? Do we truly believe in hell, and that our friends and family members will end up there if they don’t trust in Christ before they die? If so, are we willing to invest our time and energy in becoming people that will attract, challenge, and teach them to step across the line of faith?
As a Christian, I was challenged by questions like these and motivated enough to become involved in various programs that would help me understand the dynamics that governed sharing my faith. In all these pursuits though, harnessing the power of personal relationships seemed to be an afterthought. That’s the beauty of the Willow Creek’s celebrated Becoming a Contagious Christian training course—it starts by assessing your individual personality style and ends with equipping you to effectively make a difference for time and eternity in the lives that God has placed within your sphere of influence.
As Willow Creek Pastor, Bill Hybels noted, “deep inside every true Christian, there is the awareness that we are on this planet for purposes greater than having a career, paying the bills, loving our families, and fulfilling our role as upstanding citizens. What is it that’s absent in the lives of so many believers who are crying out for fulfillment? What on earth is God asking us to do? God wants us to become contagious Christians—His agents, who will first catch His love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it. This is His primary plan, the one Jesus modeled so powerfully, to spread God’s grace and truth, person to person, until there’s an epidemic of changed lives around the world.”
The Becoming a Contagious Christian evangelism course then, is designed to help everyday Christians—like you and me—to confidently and effectively spread their faith to people they know. The emphasis is on natural approaches that work over time to bring family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to the point of trusting in Christ. It avoids stereotyped approaches that feel intimidating to many Christians. Instead it shows ordinary believers how they can share the Gospel in a natural and powerful way, while being the person God made them to be.
Through a variety of formats including video vignettes, group discussions, role playing, and teaching segments, you will learn how to communicate the message of Christ in your own personal, God-given style. As you gain confidence and begin to put into action what you have learned, you’ll discover what thousands of people who have taken this training before you have: becoming a contagious Christian is an unparalleled adventure! It is my personal belief, that there is nothing in Christian service that is closer to the heart of God, or more vital to advancing His kingdom, than sharing your faith in this manner.
By impacting your world with the Gospel, you also become identified with the continuum of saints down through the ages that have shared in the harvest of souls. According to the experts, over 200,000 people come to a “saving” knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ every day somewhere in the world. When Jesus said, “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37)—He was inviting us all to join in this “call to family.” So here’s your opportunity to say “yes” to the One, who said yes to the cross for you.
If you have the desire to discover your own natural evangelism style, and share biblical truth in everyday language, then don’t miss the opportunity to sit through this seminar. As you put the principles of this course to work, you’ll notice a sense of personal adventure, purpose, spiritual growth and confidence, as you make enduring investments in others, and have the honor of being God’s agent. Sure, making this commitment will involve some effort and risk on your part, but let me assure you it’s worth it—a thousand fold, paid in eternal dividends.
Roy Tanner
Lord of the Kings
Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”… And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:20, 38-43 NKJ)
The title’s parody of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is intentional. This award-winning trilogy was inspired by the menacing conflict posed during World War II. Just as in Tolkien’s era, this generation also faces-off with an “Axis of Evil,” that could just as easily be pictured in this allegory. With themes that include self-sacrifice and resurrection, the cinematic version of Tolkien’s writing is clearly more than just another story about good versus evil. Likewise, in the spiritual dimension, a real-life drama, more stupendous than anything Hollywood could envision, is also playing itself out in the hearts of mankind—and it’s celebrated at Easter.
Two thousand years ago the Son of God, whom Tolkien worshipped, left His heavenly kingdom and condescended to become one of us. Through His incarnation, Christ demonstrated that only through His life, death and resurrection, would the problem of human evil be forever overcome for those who place their trust in Him. In effect, Jesus serves a three-fold office for us as Prophet, Priest and King. He speaks to us on behalf of God as prophet—the Word made flesh (Jn 1:1), while interceding for us as priest (Rom 8:33, 34)—having offered a sacrifice of everlasting value, once for all time in Himself (Heb 7:27).
In veiled glory throughout His public ministry, Jesus also preached extensively regarding His second coming and the establishment of God’s kingdom through Messiah’s millennial reign. The people of that day though, expected Messiah’s triumph would be immediate, as evidenced by the unrepentant thief’s remarks (v. 39). While Christ’s majestic rule will one day be ushered in (Rev 20:1-6), His reign first inaugurates an era where the kingdom would be manifest by God’s rule in the hearts of mankind, through faith in the Savior (Lk 17:21). So how should we respond to this offer, that’s posed to every individual? Note the (above) passage again in the Gospel of Luke.
The simplicity and sincerity of the penitent thief’s prayer (v. 42) reflected his belief that: the soul lives on after death; that Jesus had the right to rule over this kingdom of souls; and that the Lord would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death. The thief’s request to be remembered was a plea for mercy—which also reveals that he understood there is no hope except by divine grace, and that the dispensing of this grace lay in Jesus’ power. In short, the thief’s prayer demonstrated true saving faith, which was graciously affirmed by Christ (v. 43).
More wonderful than any fiction—God incarnate came into the world and suffered death by crucifixion in order to grant us forgiveness of our sins, lavish us with divine love, and secure us blessings beyond our imagination, as children of God. It’s Jesus, who as Prophet, Priest and King—is both the Lamb who was slain, and Lion who will reign. Oh, what a Savior!
As a sinner saved by grace, let me exhort you to also surrender your soul to the “Lord of Kings” this Easter. Like the repentant thief, we can also pray, “Lord, remember me too, now that You’ve entered Your kingdom. May Your reign be established in my heart, until You come again.”
Roy Tanner
"Who do you think that I am?"
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well. Consider what the Bible says about Him.
JESUS IS GOD
While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He was a madman. Still others couldn't decide or didn't care. But Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh.
Many people today don't understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They're content to think of Him as little more than a great moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That's why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).
C.S. Lewis observed, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to" (Mere Christianity [Macmillan, 1952], pp. 40-41).
If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, He is God!
JESUS IS HOLY
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's character. Colossians 2:9 says, "In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even His enemies couldn't prove any accusation against Him (John 8:46)
God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR
Our failure to obey God--to be holy--places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is, we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion "sin." According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition. Jeremiah 13:23 says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."
That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious or humanitarian activities. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. The Bible says, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: "The soul who sins will die" (Ezekiel 18:4). That's hard for us to understand because we tend to evaluate sin on a relative scale, assuming some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences. We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy.
Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: "Christ ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." He alone is "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13).
JESUS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH
Some people think it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. But without a valid object your faith is useless. If you take poison--thinking it's medicine--all the faith in the world won't restore your life. Similarly, if Jesus is the only source of salvation, and you're trusting in anyone or anything else for your salvation, your faith is useless.
Many people assume there are many paths to God and that each religion represents an aspect of truth. But Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). He didn't claim to be one of many equally legitimate paths to God, or the way to God for His day only. He claimed to be the only way to God--then and forever.
JESUS IS LORD
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him.
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Confessing Jesus as Lord means humbly submitting to His authority (Philippians 2:10-11). Believing that God has raised Him from the dead involves trusting in the historical fact of His resurrection--the pinnacle of Christian faith and the way the Father affirmed the deity and authority of the Son (Romans 1:4; Acts 17:30-31).
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15); and "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John 8:31).
It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. Their faith is not genuine. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus is the sovereign Lord. When you obey Him you are acknowledging His lordship and submitting to His authority. That doesn't mean your obedience will always be perfect, but that is your goal. There is no area of your life that you withhold from Him.
JESUS IS THE JUDGE
All who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will one day face Him as their Judge: "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31).
Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge.
Who do you say Jesus is? That is the inescapable question. He alone can redeem you--free you from the power and penalty of sin. He alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give your life eternal purpose. Will you repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
© 1991 by Grace to You. All rights reserved.
If you're involved in evangelism, you may have noticed that the huge box-office success of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, makes it much easier to broach the message of the cross. While millions of people have viewed the movie though, it undoubtedly is raising more questions than it answers related to salvation.
Expecting a corresponding spike in Church attendance, reminiscent of post-9/11, many Church leaders seek to leverage this film's momentum by energizing their base for evangelism. With this in mind, I have posted 3 articles this month that deal with this objective.
The first op-ed (Becoming a Contagious Christian), describes Willow Creek's popular method of outreach, by way of "relationship evangelism." The second commentary, is a Easter message redux (Lord of the Kings), which discusses the three-fold office of Jesus. And the third article (Who do you say that I AM?), is an extended version of the Gospel, which embraces both a "ministry of reconciliation" theme, as well as the requirement for Lordship.
The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is both our Leader and Forgiver. Prepare to meet your King...
Becoming a Contagious Christian
“If we are not teaching people how to be saved, it is perhaps because we have forgotten the tragedy of being lost! If we’re not teaching the message of forgiveness, it may be because we don’t remember what it was like to be guilty. And if we’re not preaching the cross, it could be that we’ve subconsciously decided that—God forbid—somehow we don’t need it.”
(Max Lucado, Six Hours One Friday)
Do we sincerely believe that knowing Christ is the best way to live and the only way to die? Are we convinced that everyone we know, without exception, needs to find the forgiveness, friendship, life, and leadership Jesus offers? Do we truly believe in hell, and that our friends and family members will end up there if they don’t trust in Christ before they die? If so, are we willing to invest our time and energy in becoming people that will attract, challenge, and teach them to step across the line of faith?
As a Christian, I was challenged by questions like these and motivated enough to become involved in various programs that would help me understand the dynamics that governed sharing my faith. In all these pursuits though, harnessing the power of personal relationships seemed to be an afterthought. That’s the beauty of the Willow Creek’s celebrated Becoming a Contagious Christian training course—it starts by assessing your individual personality style and ends with equipping you to effectively make a difference for time and eternity in the lives that God has placed within your sphere of influence.
As Willow Creek Pastor, Bill Hybels noted, “deep inside every true Christian, there is the awareness that we are on this planet for purposes greater than having a career, paying the bills, loving our families, and fulfilling our role as upstanding citizens. What is it that’s absent in the lives of so many believers who are crying out for fulfillment? What on earth is God asking us to do? God wants us to become contagious Christians—His agents, who will first catch His love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it. This is His primary plan, the one Jesus modeled so powerfully, to spread God’s grace and truth, person to person, until there’s an epidemic of changed lives around the world.”
The Becoming a Contagious Christian evangelism course then, is designed to help everyday Christians—like you and me—to confidently and effectively spread their faith to people they know. The emphasis is on natural approaches that work over time to bring family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to the point of trusting in Christ. It avoids stereotyped approaches that feel intimidating to many Christians. Instead it shows ordinary believers how they can share the Gospel in a natural and powerful way, while being the person God made them to be.
Through a variety of formats including video vignettes, group discussions, role playing, and teaching segments, you will learn how to communicate the message of Christ in your own personal, God-given style. As you gain confidence and begin to put into action what you have learned, you’ll discover what thousands of people who have taken this training before you have: becoming a contagious Christian is an unparalleled adventure! It is my personal belief, that there is nothing in Christian service that is closer to the heart of God, or more vital to advancing His kingdom, than sharing your faith in this manner.
By impacting your world with the Gospel, you also become identified with the continuum of saints down through the ages that have shared in the harvest of souls. According to the experts, over 200,000 people come to a “saving” knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ every day somewhere in the world. When Jesus said, “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37)—He was inviting us all to join in this “call to family.” So here’s your opportunity to say “yes” to the One, who said yes to the cross for you.
If you have the desire to discover your own natural evangelism style, and share biblical truth in everyday language, then don’t miss the opportunity to sit through this seminar. As you put the principles of this course to work, you’ll notice a sense of personal adventure, purpose, spiritual growth and confidence, as you make enduring investments in others, and have the honor of being God’s agent. Sure, making this commitment will involve some effort and risk on your part, but let me assure you it’s worth it—a thousand fold, paid in eternal dividends.
Roy Tanner
Lord of the Kings
Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”… And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:20, 38-43 NKJ)
The title’s parody of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is intentional. This award-winning trilogy was inspired by the menacing conflict posed during World War II. Just as in Tolkien’s era, this generation also faces-off with an “Axis of Evil,” that could just as easily be pictured in this allegory. With themes that include self-sacrifice and resurrection, the cinematic version of Tolkien’s writing is clearly more than just another story about good versus evil. Likewise, in the spiritual dimension, a real-life drama, more stupendous than anything Hollywood could envision, is also playing itself out in the hearts of mankind—and it’s celebrated at Easter.
Two thousand years ago the Son of God, whom Tolkien worshipped, left His heavenly kingdom and condescended to become one of us. Through His incarnation, Christ demonstrated that only through His life, death and resurrection, would the problem of human evil be forever overcome for those who place their trust in Him. In effect, Jesus serves a three-fold office for us as Prophet, Priest and King. He speaks to us on behalf of God as prophet—the Word made flesh (Jn 1:1), while interceding for us as priest (Rom 8:33, 34)—having offered a sacrifice of everlasting value, once for all time in Himself (Heb 7:27).
In veiled glory throughout His public ministry, Jesus also preached extensively regarding His second coming and the establishment of God’s kingdom through Messiah’s millennial reign. The people of that day though, expected Messiah’s triumph would be immediate, as evidenced by the unrepentant thief’s remarks (v. 39). While Christ’s majestic rule will one day be ushered in (Rev 20:1-6), His reign first inaugurates an era where the kingdom would be manifest by God’s rule in the hearts of mankind, through faith in the Savior (Lk 17:21). So how should we respond to this offer, that’s posed to every individual? Note the (above) passage again in the Gospel of Luke.
The simplicity and sincerity of the penitent thief’s prayer (v. 42) reflected his belief that: the soul lives on after death; that Jesus had the right to rule over this kingdom of souls; and that the Lord would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death. The thief’s request to be remembered was a plea for mercy—which also reveals that he understood there is no hope except by divine grace, and that the dispensing of this grace lay in Jesus’ power. In short, the thief’s prayer demonstrated true saving faith, which was graciously affirmed by Christ (v. 43).
More wonderful than any fiction—God incarnate came into the world and suffered death by crucifixion in order to grant us forgiveness of our sins, lavish us with divine love, and secure us blessings beyond our imagination, as children of God. It’s Jesus, who as Prophet, Priest and King—is both the Lamb who was slain, and Lion who will reign. Oh, what a Savior!
As a sinner saved by grace, let me exhort you to also surrender your soul to the “Lord of Kings” this Easter. Like the repentant thief, we can also pray, “Lord, remember me too, now that You’ve entered Your kingdom. May Your reign be established in my heart, until You come again.”
Roy Tanner
"Who do you think that I am?"
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well. Consider what the Bible says about Him.
JESUS IS GOD
While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He was a madman. Still others couldn't decide or didn't care. But Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh.
Many people today don't understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They're content to think of Him as little more than a great moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That's why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).
C.S. Lewis observed, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to" (Mere Christianity [Macmillan, 1952], pp. 40-41).
If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, He is God!
JESUS IS HOLY
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's character. Colossians 2:9 says, "In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even His enemies couldn't prove any accusation against Him (John 8:46)
God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR
Our failure to obey God--to be holy--places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is, we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion "sin." According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition. Jeremiah 13:23 says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."
That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious or humanitarian activities. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. The Bible says, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: "The soul who sins will die" (Ezekiel 18:4). That's hard for us to understand because we tend to evaluate sin on a relative scale, assuming some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences. We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy.
Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: "Christ ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." He alone is "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13).
JESUS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH
Some people think it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. But without a valid object your faith is useless. If you take poison--thinking it's medicine--all the faith in the world won't restore your life. Similarly, if Jesus is the only source of salvation, and you're trusting in anyone or anything else for your salvation, your faith is useless.
Many people assume there are many paths to God and that each religion represents an aspect of truth. But Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). He didn't claim to be one of many equally legitimate paths to God, or the way to God for His day only. He claimed to be the only way to God--then and forever.
JESUS IS LORD
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him.
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Confessing Jesus as Lord means humbly submitting to His authority (Philippians 2:10-11). Believing that God has raised Him from the dead involves trusting in the historical fact of His resurrection--the pinnacle of Christian faith and the way the Father affirmed the deity and authority of the Son (Romans 1:4; Acts 17:30-31).
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15); and "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John 8:31).
It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. Their faith is not genuine. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus is the sovereign Lord. When you obey Him you are acknowledging His lordship and submitting to His authority. That doesn't mean your obedience will always be perfect, but that is your goal. There is no area of your life that you withhold from Him.
JESUS IS THE JUDGE
All who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will one day face Him as their Judge: "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31).
Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge.
Who do you say Jesus is? That is the inescapable question. He alone can redeem you--free you from the power and penalty of sin. He alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give your life eternal purpose. Will you repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
© 1991 by Grace to You. All rights reserved.
posted by Roy Tanner @ 6:14 PM
