RAY JOHNSON

What is so amazing about Grace anyway? Is the promise of eternal life something that can be obtained by simply believing in Christ and saying a prayer? Is it really that easy? To answer those questions we must first define what Grace is. The definition of Grace is UNMERITED favor. In other words, it is receiving something we don't deserve! In today's contemporary culture we might call it a free-be! How can that be? How can something so important be free? Well, by its very nature Grace must be free. The Bible tells us in Romans 11:6, "And if by Grace, then it is no longer by works, if it were, Grace would no longer be Grace." Think of Grace like a gift! It's where we get the idea that someone is "Gracious," if someone gives you a gift, then they are "Gracious." If one must work to earn or hold on to the gift, then it is not a gift at all, nor is the giver "Gracious." When we think about this concept of salvation by Grace from a human perspective, it seems too good to be true. It is! Because what Christ did for us is indescribably good and gracious! In 2 Corinthians 9:15, the apostle Paul says,"Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT." So you might be thinking, OK! I believe it's a gift, but there must be more to it than that. It can't be that easy! Guess what? You are right! It certainly was not easy. In fact, it was the most difficult task ever accomplished in the history of mankind! Just think about it. Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator and sustainer of the universe, left the splendor and glory of His heavenly throne and lowered himself to become a man, born of poor means, in a lowly stable, with farm animals. Then, He lived a perfect and sinless life for some 33 years, only to receive terrible treatment, ridicule, mocking and even a scourging from a "cat of nine tails whip." His beard was plucked out. He was beaten and spat upon. A crown of thorns was pressed into His head. Then he was forced to carry His own cross to His horrible, excruciating, execution between two common thieves. Jesus was an innocent man! Yet, Jesus' suffering was the worst in all of history. Jesus went through Hell, so we wouldn't have to! Remember, we are not saved based on what WE do, but on what CHRIST has already done for us! Our salvation may be free and easy but it was not cheap. Heaven went bankrupt to buy our salvation! Many world religions and even Christian denominations try to find ways to work for their salvation, either to earn it or to keep it. Although this idea may make some sense from a humanistic point of view. The idea of a works based salvation is contrary to a correct interpretation of the Scriptures. In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Bible tells us, "it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith and this not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God NOT of WORKS so no one can boast." Our eternal life cannot be obtained by baptism, sacraments, confirmation, church attendance or church membership. It cannot even be obtained by living a good life. We must receive our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ ALONE! Jesus makes it easy for us to receive His gift. He doesn't want any barriers to hinder our salvation. He doesn't want anyone to die and be separated from Him. He loves us so much! In 2nd Peter 3:9, the Bible says, "God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance." God made salvation so simple that even a child can understand it! In Mark 10:15, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not RECEIVE the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." We must have a child like faith, humble and not prideful. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was so perfect and so complete, we could never add anything to it, nor should we try! We should also remember that after we have received God's free gift of salvation, we need not worry about losing it. We can be assured that our salvation is secure. Even the most famous verse in the entire Bible teaches us that our salvation is secure. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." If we could lose our eternal life, would it be eternal? No, of course not; eternal life means exactly that! In 1 John 5:13, John reaffirms this understanding when he wrote, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God so that you may KNOW that you HAVE eternal life." Indeed, we can know for sure that our salvation is secure in Christ Jesus! Think about it like this; if you can't work to receive it, you certainly don't have to work to keep it. It is an irrevocable gift reserved in heaven for you. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, Peter describes it like this, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." So, since our salvation is free and we can't lose it, does that mean that we have a license to sin? After all, we have our fire insurance, right? No, absolutely not! Sin is a serious offense to a Holy and all-powerful, all-knowing God! We dare not rebel against Him! Sin has serious consequences. Just like when you disobeyed your parents, there were consequences! But no matter what, you are still your parent's child! Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. However, we can hurt our relationship and fellowship with Him. We can lose reward in this life and in the life to come. Also, as a Christian I would never want to hurt Jesus again. I caused Him enough pain on the cross! Now, with all that said, how do I receive this free, indescribable, irrevocable, eternal, gift that will never perish, spoil or fade? I'm glad you asked! The Bible makes it very simple and clear. In Romans 10:9-10 the Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." So, according to the Bible it takes two things; #1 belief with the heart and #2 confession with the mouth. If you cannot remember a specific time in your life, a definitive moment when you realized that you believed and said a verbal prayer of confession. Wouldn't you like to make sure of you eternal destiny right now? To do that, you must believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead and invite Him into your heart and life. Please, right now, say a prayer like this aloud; Dear Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I have done things in my life that displease you. I am sorry. Right now, I confess my sins to you and ask your forgiveness. I believe with all my heart that you lived, died and rose again. I believe you died for me. I accept your free gift of salvation. Come into to my heart, come into my life and make me the person you designed me to be. Help me to live for you. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN! Congratulations! The Bible says in Romans 8:1, "there is now therefore no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus!" Get a good Bible translation that uses today's language such as the New International Version. It will make more sense to you now, since you have the Holy Spirit to guide you. Read it every day even if it's only a few chapters a day read it! Start in the Gospel of John, then after you read John, start in Matthew and go through the New Testament. Then go back and start in Genesis and read the Old Testament. Pray everyday! Get in a good Bible based church, where you can be around other believers who can help encourage you in your new spiritual journey. Find a ministry in the local church. Now is the time to go good works for Him. However, please remember we are saved unto good works not by good works! May God bless you and keep you. Amen!