Salvation: The 5 W's And The H

Salvation: The 5 W’s and The H

Who: Jesus Christ, The son of God. The Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Emmanuel, The Messiah, The Promised One.

Exactly who was Jesus? He was, and is the son of God, the Father.

He was mothered by Mary. His legal Father was Joseph. Though God was his Father, Joseph acted as his Father here on earth. I guess you could say that Joseph was the most notable step-fathers in the history of mankind!

Jesus was a carpenter by trade. This was Joseph’s trade as well.

We do not know a lot about the life of Christ between the ages of 3 and 30. We do however know the reason he came to earth. And so did he.

John 3: 17 says, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved!”

He came to save the world. To save it from it’s own self. From our own sins. You see, he did not sin, we did. We burned that bridge, not him. And we needed a way to be forgiven for that sin. That bridge to be rebuilt! Before Jesus came, men used to have to sacrifice their lambs and their goats for their sins. He came as the permanent sacrifice for all of our sins!

What? What does this salvation do for us? Well, it saves us. From what? We are told that the wages of sin is death. Period. Salvation is God’s way of saving us and allowing us back in his grace. When we are out of his grace, life can be very trying.

When we are within his grace life can be even more trying! Think about it. When you are not saved, Satan does not have to work very hard to get to you. He tempts you with some very basic temptations. It is easy to justify succumbing to them. You do not have any one inside your heart saying that is wrong. But once you invite Christ into your heart, the Holy Spirit convicts you each and every time you are tempted. It’s because you now know the difference between right and wrong!

Now Satan has to try and trick you. He has to try different ways of “shaking your faith”. He whispers in your hearts ear things like, “Go ahead, it’s okay. You’re already forgiven! God loves you and he won’t mind!” He has to rock your world by causing more and more strife in it. But remember, God promised that Satan cannot give you any more than you can handle. Just stay firm in the Faith! You can actually command him to depart! Of course he will be coming right back.

If it were easier to be a Christian, everyone would be one. Though it may be hard sometimes, it is very rewarding! And I am not just talking about an eternity in heaven. Christianity has many benefits right here, in this imperfect world of ours. As a Christian, I have the best friend that I could ever hope for. Not only is he forgiving, but loving, understanding, compassionate, and patient.

When all others have fallen waist side his love is still in your heart. He never gives up on you. Never.

When? Now. Then . And forever. He came into this world to die for your sins. He did not die for just those people 2000 years ago. He died for all of mankind, past present and future.

I don’t want you to think that after the second coming of Christ that you will still be able to accept him. Then it will be too late! In John 3:18 we read, “Those who believe in him are not condemned: but those who do not believe are condemned already, Because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God!”

Jesus spent 3 years healing the sick, making the lame to walk, the blind to see. He told his people from early on what was to happen. He told them he would die and raise up 3 days later, and still they did not believe. That was Satan whispering again and again. In fact, his coming and his death and resurrection was prophesied by the prophets many years before. 247 prophesies were fulfilled by his life. We knew he was coming. He came. He died. And then he raised from the dead.! And still there are those that do not believe?!

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of complacency, of doing nothing, of ignoring the danger of being in a wrong relationship with God. There’s a legend where three demons are overheard planning how to get most victims for their master. The first said: "Tell the people ’There is no God’" "No, that won’t do," said the others, "There are too many evidences of his goodness to convince people." The second proposed: "Say ’There is no hell.’" The others replied, "That won’t convince people either because some of their fellows are there already." The third produced the most effective way, "Tell them ’There is no hurry.’" This brings to mind the Bible’s solemn words, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb 2.3). It’s a question that defies an answer.