Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Salvation amongst the Chaos


There’s a certain chaos in the air these days, that of hatred, and ridicule, judgment and murder. Sometimes I ponder the condition of the world we live in and wonder how our next door neighbor can be the next serial rapist, child molester or deranged stalker. How with so much love one can share with others, why hate, anger, hostility and deception has seemed to dominate this planet. I have come to a sad conclusion, sin.

We live in a sin-filled world full of ill-minded people living unhealthy lifestyles and expecting succession, victory, acceptance and reward. It’s just not going to happen; plain and simple. It’s just not.

When we were created we were made to bring pleasure to our Creator, God Himself. We were chosen for a higher purpose than we could ever give ourselves and for richness no man could ever fathom. But humans comes sin, and so Jesus came to make things right with our Creator. To justify us if you will, so that we would not be punished eternally for our mistakes but instead be pardoned from them. This is where Jesus comes into the picture.

Without Jesus unconditional love for you and me, his shedding of blood on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, our eternal destination would be that of bloodshed, hatred, anguish and a violent punishment we could never imagine. Still there are so many that refuse to receive the free gift of salvation that Jesus humbly offers. Why?

Is it perhaps some do not believe they have done anything wrong to earn them a lifetime in hell? In the book of Romans, chapter and verse 3:23 of the Bible God tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous, no, not one.”

Perhaps it is because we do not think we need saving? Luke 19:10 states, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” If we were not lost why do we need saved?

Maybe it is because we feel if we make good decisions, help the poor, give money to organizations, go to church twice a year or refrain from killing anyone we are a good person. Good enough to get into heaven, so we think.

Because we were born into sin through Adam’s decision to eat of the tree of good and evil, we became damned to an eternal life in hell. But in Romans it clearly tells us everyone has sinned and we fall short of the requirements to make it into heaven. In Luke we are told that Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us, the lost.

So now that we know we are sinners, lost and on the road to eternal damnation, are in need of a Savior to bridge the gap between us and our Creator, God, why not simply express this to God, ask for His forgiveness and accept His free gift of salvation?

It just doesn’t get any easier than this. If you realize you were born into sin, understand your life will end in eternal damnation in hell, see how you truly need a Savior and want to spend eternity in heaven and beyond, say this simple prayer.

Lord God, I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins so that I may spend eternity with You. I ask your forgiveness and accept your free gift of salvation. Change me Lord, help me make the most of my life. Create in me a clean heart willing to please You. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. Thank you Jesus, for choosing to take the punishment for my sins, for hanging on the cross and being resurrected back to life. Thank you for loving me, for choosing me, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Now, share the best decision you could ever make in your life, the decision you just made to give your life to Lord who promises never to leave you, forsake you or forget you (Hebrews 13:5). Find one other person who has made this decision and go church shopping. Look for a non-denominational church that you feel welcomed to, accepted and loved. Attend atleast three church services in a row at the same church in order to gain a rounded view of what the body of believers (the church) believes, has to offer to help you grow in your new-found faith.

May God bless you richly in your eternal relationship with the Creator of this world.

Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

No comments: