Salvation is a means by which one is delivered from a burning building, a dictator or from a destructive sinful life. Being delivered from any kind of harm is a relief both internally and externally.
Jesus said to
Thomas in John 14:6 that he is the
way, truth and life. In order to get to
God, you must go through me, first.
Philip then asked: “Jesus, would
you show us how to get to God?” Jesus
replied, “Look Phillip, the father and I are one. We are in this together. When you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the
father. Trust. Believe. When you believe, you will do what
I’ve have done the entire time we’ve been together. Work hard.
Stay steady.”
The acceptance
of Jesus as they way, truth and life begins the relationship process of
salvation. There are no fancy formulas
for salvation. No steps that need to be
taken other than what James 4:8-10
says, “Come near to God and he will come
near to you. Wash your hands you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy
to gloom. Humble yourself before the
Lord, and he will life you up.” (NIV)
Drawing to God are the steps that will get each of us to the point of
the surrendered life, a life ready to be saved.
Salvation begins
with the desire to want a relationship with Jesus. When one is captivated by the God who
demonstrated his love for us by giving us the only son he had (John 3:16) and then that son ultimately
dying for all of us (Romans 5:8) in
order to deliver us for the wrath of God (Romans
5:9) and brought back into a saved relationship with God (Romans 5:10), our voices will not be
silenced in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus (Romans 10:9).
The relationship
building process will lead each of us to make decisions to live the Jesus life
and demonstrate to others our allegiance to God. Anyone who desires to be all in it for God
will totally be sold out in listening to all the instructions of
Scripture. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:19a, “Go and make disciples of all nations….” The key was to “make disciples.” A disciple follows someone. In this case, Jesus said, find those
throughout the world that would be willing to follow me. Live for me.
Speak for me. Serve the way I
served. Love the way I loved. Teach truth.
Live truth. And, honor God. Secondly, Jesus told them to “baptize in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit….” Matthew
28:19b Baptism is a direct result of discovering the true identity of the
one who delivered us from our sins and saved us from the wrath of God. The Apostle Paul put it like this in Romans 6:3-4; 7 “Or
have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we
joined him in his death?
4 For we died and were buried with Christ by
baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of
the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
Baptism is a
demonstration of the commitment we have made in the relationship with
Jesus. It is our vow we make to live the
resurrected life with honor, integrity, and truth. The baptism is the connection we make with
Holy Spirit who seals us and identifies us as one who belongs to Jesus.
You see, there
are no magic formulas for salvation. Salvation begins with a desire to know God,
Jesus and Spirit and a willingness to have a relationship with God that is
unyielding and faithful.
God desires for
all of us to be saved. The Apostle Peter
said in a letter in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his
promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God promises
salvation. He wants you to have it. He wants you to live for him. Serve.
Be honorable. Respectful. Glorify him.
Will you? Will you take God up on
being delivered from your sins? Now is
the time to say to God, I am sorry for my selfish life and I am ready to begin
to know you and build a relationship with you.
Please call me
at 931-836-2874 or email me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com and begin the relationship God so
desperately wants with you. Don’t
delay. Now is the time. Now is the moment. Now.
You ready?
Remember, Be God
Controlled!
Brian
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