“Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God: he fell through disobedience, incurring physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from life with God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ."
“Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God: he fell through disobedience, incurring physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from life with God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fate of the unrepentant and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment; and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss” from the Alliance statement of faith.
Our first father and mother – Adam and Eve exercised the option of walking with God or listening to the voice of the devil – chose the latter and introduced sin to humankind. We have all agreed with them in our rebellion and sin against a holy God and thus are separated from Him. We have a big problem that we can’t fix ourselves. The picture of our predicament is a vastly deep chasm separating one side from the other. We are on one side and God is on the other, and on our own we can’t get to the other side where He is.
To remedy this, the Son of God became a human, lived a perfect life and took the death penalty our sins had earned – upon Himself by dying on a cross. His resurrection proved the sufficiency of His sacrifice. He described His mission this way: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” Luke 19:10. Our way back to God is not earned nor is it deserved – it is a free gift that Jesus Christ has provided! This is salvation.
The bible teaches that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world – this is the doctrine of ‘election.’ The bible also teaches that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9). So, clearly, both are taught – both are biblical. I have found peace with this thought by this simple illustration. As we stand before the gate of heaven, we see a banner over the gate that reads “Whosoever will may come.” But as we enter heaven, we look back to the other side of the same gate and read “Chosen before the foundation of the world.” The first side is my business, and the second side is God’s business. I only need to worry about my side!
John tells us that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One… “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” I John 2:2. What if we saw lost people as Jesus sees them – as lost sheep needing a shepherd? When we meet Jesus in salvation – when our sins are washed away and we are looking forward to heaven, we want others to experience this too! Jesus’ offer of salvation to the peoples of the world is the source of missions – it’s why the Alliance sends people all over the world to tell this great salvation story. It is the chief business of the local church – of every Christian within that church, and the church that makes salvation its heartbeat will be blessed!
Salvation doesn’t come by some process of osmosis – we don’t become a Christian because our family members are Christians – we don’t become a Christian by attending church, giving money or doing good deeds. We become a Christian by personally accepting the salvation by grace that Jesus offers. He said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6. Maybe you have never done this, but you are ready to. Here is a prayer you can pray to God, meaning it with your whole heart. Why not pray it now?
“Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I am sorry for my sins which keep us apart and I confess and repent of those sins. Thank You for forgiving my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as Saviour and Lord. Thank You for giving me new life here and now and for eternal life to come. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, I encourage you to tell a friend you know who would love to hear it. Maybe let me know too…
Pastor Leon Throness
