Soon after the excitement and goodwill of Christmas have passed, many people may still be thinking about the gifts they received, the time spent with family and friends, and the “warm, fuzzy feeling” that surrounds the holidays. All too soon after the decorations have been put away, the regular work schedule has resumed, and children are back in school, life returns to the usual routine. There is one gift that should never lose the ability to keep us in awe of its effect on our lives, and that, of course, is the gift of eternal life.
I never want to assume that everyone who claims to be a Christian has truly been saved and transformed in their spirit by the power of the Gospel. Some people have been “raised in church” and say they’re a Christian because they know all the Bible stories, or because they were baptized, or perhaps they even know what the Bible teaches about salvation. As good as all of these things may be, they still do not make a person a Christian. There must be a time in a person’s life when he truly and honestly confronts his own need for salvation because he knows he is a sinner and believes that there is absolutely nothing he can ever do in and of himself to obtain forgiveness and eternal life. Most religions teach that good works are the way to earn a place in Heaven. If that were true, then Jesus Christ would never have needed to come to Earth and die on the cross as the final, perfect payment for sin.
Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
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.
Consider what the Bible says about us, as sinful human beings:
Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12 – Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Wow! What a depressing state to be in IF it was left at that. Thankfully that is not the case. God made provision for our sin to be paid for!
Romans 5:8, 9 – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Peter 1:18, 19 – Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
One perfect Lamb was the final payment for our sin! This is not something that has to ever be repeated, week after week or through any religious ritual.
Hebrews9:12 – Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 10:10-14 – By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Romans 10:9-10, 13 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
I John 5:13 – These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
It’s that simple, yet so profound. Please don’t let another day go by without knowing for sure that you have accepted the most important gift you will ever receive!
Quiet Contemplations 