This is a great question and the Bible has the answer.

The Bible answers this question by showing us of our need to have a personal relationship with our Creator.  It isn’t just about having a ticket to heaven.  The greatest news of all is that our Creator wants to have a personal, loving relationship with every single person HE has created.  That means you and me.  HE proved HIS love by sending HIS only Son to pay our death penalty so that we could be brought into that personal, loving relationship with HIM by faith in HIS Son.

Here is what the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Romans 6:23b tells us, “the gift of God is eternal life.” Jesus is that “gift” God gave to each of us so that we could be brought into that personal, loving relationship with HIM and enjoy eternal life.

Our need for this gift is understood from Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We also read in Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities [sins] have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you,” Romans 6:23a also tells us, “The wages of sin is death.”  We earn the payment of death because we all have sinned.  This death speaks of eternal death in hell thus being separated from the holy God for eternity. This is our hopeless condition outside of Christ.

Do these words from the Bible concern you about the reality of your sin?  It should.  The reality is that if you were to die in your guilty and sinful condition that you will receive the payment for your sin, which is eternal death being separated from the righteous and holy God for all eternity.  So what can be done?

First, you must ACKNOWLEDGE the reality of your sinful state and hopeless condition.  There is a need for repentance or a change of mind about your sin. You must see yourself as one who has fallen short of God’s glory by breaking His commandments thus deserving His judgment. Each of us must come to the conclusion that there is no hope in ourselves to bring about salvation. The Bible tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Because you and I have sinned, we have fallen short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness thus we need His precious gift of His Son of righteousness.  The reality of God’s love is that He sent His Son to pay the consequence of our sin (death) in our place. “But God commends [proved] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8) God proved His amazing love for us as Christ died in our place, He was buried, and rose again victorious over death.  On the cross He paid for all of your sins as well as mine.

The Bible continues to show the heart of God as we read, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) This is God’s will—this is His desire for each and every one of us and He has provided the way for us all.

Second, you must BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.  The Bible tells us, “For He [Jesus] hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The awe and wonder of this Gift of God is that through the death of Christ, He was seen by God just as we are so that we could be seen by God just as He is. The reality is that too often this gift is left untouched—it is left unopened and therefore never enjoyed.  This is done by refusing to believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Receive and open the gift by believing that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)

Paul responded to the Philippian jailer when asked, “What must I do to be saved?” said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) In the Gospel of John we read, “But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:” (John 1:12) 

Take God at HIS Word and believe it to be true.

Third, you must CALL upon the Lord Jesus Christ receiving HIS free gift of salvation. In Romans 10:13 we further read, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  It is encouraging how adamant the Word of God is—“…SHALL be saved.”  This should give us great confidence as we understand that God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), He is faithful to keep ALL of His promises.

So as you consider these words it is important that you “examine yourself, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  If you are, praise the Lord! Live for Him in obedience being fully surrendered to Him.

If you are not then ADMIT that you are a sinner, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ that what the Bible says is true, and CALL upon Him to save you. The Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Salvation is ONLY of God!  Our efforts only bring us death, but God’s gift brings eternal life. The wonderful reality is that through faith in Christ’s finished work upon the cross a person who previously fell short of God’s standard of righteousness now can enjoy right standing with his Creator. His penalty of sin has been removed and the righteousness of Christ has been placed upon him. Now when God looks upon them He sees the righteousness of His own Son instead of the wretchedness of a condemned soul. Today is the day of salvation!  Please don’t wait another moment.

If you have any questions or if you have just trusted Christ and received Him as your personal Savior I would like to hear from you!  Please email me at pastor@pibcny.com.

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Please consider listening to the Gospel message: Luke 2:7 – “No Room” – Outline (pdf) – Is there any room for JESUS? The innkeeper illustrates for us the world in which we live, having no room for the Savior. Other things come first as we are already filled with other demands and desires. Much of the world has no room for Christ because they see no need for Him. Other things have come first—other things crowd Him out. For the believer, often we can live lives to full of other things than Christ. Often our lives are consumed with other gifts that pale in comparison to this greatest GIFT.