The Good News of Salvation by Faith in Jesus
In our day the human condition sometimes seems hopeless. This is not without reason. Because of our wrong and sinful choices, we have shattered our relationships with each other. Lies, sexual immorality, violence, gossip and the list goes on. Sin hurts, offends and builds walls between people. In a similar but larger way, our sins offend God and separate us from Him. Because God is the perfect Judge, “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness (Romans 1:18). ” The seeming hopelessness lies in the fact that we are all guilty of sin, we will all be righteously judged by God and should therefore be rightly sentenced to eternal death, “for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). ”
That is not God’s desire. God “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).” Because of His love for us, God provided one way for us to be forgiven for offending Him. Jesus Christ is that one Way. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” This is our Living Hope. Jesus Christ, who is God Himself, came down to earth and lived a perfect life without any sin. Since death is the punishment for sin, Jesus did not have to die, yet He chose to die. He chose to take the death sentence that we deserved for breaking God’s Law. They spat on Him, beat Him and nailed His body to a cross. He suffered and died… in our place. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead proving that our death sentence had been completely paid and that He had defeated death. Because of Jesus, we can be forgiven of our sins. We have Hope.
In order to be forgiven of our sin we must do as Jesus said in Mark 1:15. He said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!” God demands that we repent. This means turning away from sin and instead strive to know and please God. We can know God by reading His Word, the Bible, and we please God by obeying it. Secondly, God demands that we understand and believe the “Good News” that there is hope of being at peace with God because of Jesus’ death in our place. This is our Living Hope: Jesus paid for our sins with His life. Therefore, we can repent and turn to Him for forgiveness. We can have freedom from the control of sin in this life and freedom from the consequences of sin when we die. It is available only through faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
My great-aunt Annie died a little over a month ago and the idea that she's not sitting in Portland right now watching the evening news and eating a chocolate Haugen Daz ice cream bar is still saddening. My husband and I visited her twice a year as we traveled to and from our home state of Washington. Whenever we would knock on her door, she'd yell in her hospitable voice, "Come in!" (even though she had no idea who was knocking!). She'd greet us with a kiss and tell us how much she loved us. She was always eager to hear about our lives and could sit for hours just visiting. Why doesn't my generation do that more often? I am grateful for the great conversations we had with her, most importantly about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the sad fact that Annie belonged to the Mormon church which teaches a false gospel, in personal conversation Annie seemed to believe the fundamental truths of the Bible and understand the person of Jesus. Praise God for the opportunities he gave us to speak with her about true salvation through Jesus Christ!This July when I drive through Portland, my heart will be pierced with the sadness that there will be no visit with Annie, no "I've-missed-you" kisses, and no "catching-up" conversations. However, I will continue to cherish the sweet memories imprinted in my mind and heart.
