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Articles
So Great a Salvation
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simply beyond our comprehension. Why would we who have sinned and fallen short ever be given the forgiveness of sins? The reason for Jesus’ death on the cross was not because of His own failures, but rather our sins brought Jesus to this earth and ultimately to the cross. In our rebellion against the will of God, God sent forth His Son born of a woman and born under the Law (Galatians 4:4). Jesus came to this earth and for the thirty-three years He lived perfectly among His people. He was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). It is through His life and His death on the cross that our sins can be forgiven and the promise of eternal life is extended. Praise be to God for such a great and awesome salvation!
Our salvation has been made possible only through the grace and mercy of our God. He loved this world so much that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). The Father did not give to mankind a variety of ways to be saved, but rather an exclusive avenue of salvation was paved by Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples – “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Where the world may promise multiple choices to life’s greatest questions, the Father has only given us One – Jesus! We must seek His kingdom and righteousness, or else we will find ourselves wanting on the day of judgement.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the greatest sermon ever heard by man. No wonder that at the conclusion of His sermon the audience walked away amazed at His teaching. Jesus did not mince words or dilute His expectations, but rather He spoke plainly and simply so that throughout the ages we too can stand amazed at the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus did not leave one stone left unturned, but every word and phrase convicted man to live on a higher plane than this world. At the conclusion of His sermon, Jesus offered mankind a choice –
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
This same choice continues to be laid before us each morning of our lives. Will we choose to submit to Him or abandon His narrow way for the highways of this world?
The gospel of Jesus Christ has been long abused and misused by our world. Our world has completely forgotten the conditions and commandments of God in regard to salvation and living faithfully. Jesus did not promise forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe only, but rather to those who have heard, believed, and obeyed the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21, 24-27). Where our world has become guilty of cheapening the grace of God and diluting His gospel, we must strive to maintain its purity and simplicity. We deserve the wrath of God because of the choices and actions we have freely accomplished. But God, being rich in mercy, has extended to all life through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The gospel of Jesus Christ has been given to all who will hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of their sins.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simply beyond our comprehension. The blessing of being called a son/daughter of God should never be taken for granted. The cost of our salvation was the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ great sacrifice should motivate us in our devotion and obedience to His will. The Lord’s expectation for every disciple is simple – “33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The world will continue to peddle a message of hope without faithful obedience, but the gospel of Jesus calls the good and honest heart to hear, believe, and obey. May God give us the tender hearts necessary to become all He would desire for us to be!
