02/17/2024
JESUS CHRIST + NOTHING = SAVED
👆 Pastor Lou’s favorite saying (or so he said last Sunday) and its quickly becoming one of mine. And yes, it’s 💯 percent True Jesus is all you need to be saved from eternal damnation.
I heard this saying many years ago and used to use it often👇
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” -unknown
How has that been working out for you so far? If not very good, have you considered trying a different approach? And if your life is peachy keen, have you thought about what happens when it’s over?
Whether you believe it or not - as we have already briefly discussed, in a previous post - what we believe or feel doesn’t change the facts of reality - the reality is we have the choice between two eternal destinations👇
1. Heaven - forever to be with the Lord
OR 😳 the 👇
1. Burning lake of fire - eternally separated from God in our sins and unbelief
The price was paid for our ransom from Hell 🔥 and the gift 🎁 of salvation is FREE but as with any present it doesn’t belong to you until you accept it for yourself.
You may be wondering just how easy is it then to be saved?
”If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.“
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Plain, simple, it is finished ✝️
The Bible assures us of this unchangeable Truth, just read it for yourself 👇
”“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.“
John 3:16 AMP
I’m a who-so-ever are you?
Scripture repeatedly assures us of this eternal Truth, 👇 here is just one of those assurances
”If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.“
I Corinthians 3:15 NKJV
It can’t get any more clearer than that 👆The price for our sins have been paid in full, by the blood 🩸 of Jesus Christ. Understanding this, let’s simplify this promised Truth down in order to see how just easy it is to obtain salvation.
It’s truly is as easy as 1,2,3 or how pastor J.D. Farag likes to say, “it’s as simple as knowing your ABC’s” (I added the D - or more accurately Jesus did, when He said, “it is finished”)!
A) Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior
😎 Believe (wholeheartedly) that God raised Jesus from the dead
C) Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
D) DONE!
Let’s break each of these down individually simply for better understanding.
A) Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
For if you do not recognize yourself as a sinner, you’ll never see the need for a Savior.
👉”Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?“
Proverbs 20:9 NIV
Search your heart ❤️ you know as well as I do, you are not perfect. But if you think you are, consider these questions - (Ray Comfort does a great job with this)…
The Law of God…
Do not steal.
- how many things must you steal before you can be considered a thief? Just one!
Do not lie.
- how many less can you tell before you become a liar? Just one!
Do not commit adultery.
- how many times can you cheat before you are a cheater? Just one!
Do not murder.
- how many people can you needlessly kill before you are guilty of murder? Just one!
You may be thinking, I haven’t murdered anyone or had s*x outside the marriage covenant; I urge you then to consider this point Jesus made about murder and adultery 👇
”“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.“
Matthew 5:27-28 NIV
”“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.“ Matthew 5:21-22 MSG
We only covered 4 of the 10 commandments, how ya doing so far 🧐 If you like me, realize you’ve broken every single one of the 10 commandments 💔 then you can clearly see you are not, at all, sinless and definitely need a Savior in order to escape the burning lake of fire, which we all rightfully deserve, for sinning against God by breaking His perfect law (I’ve never killed anyone but I sure used to have hate in my heart and have called people fools -and worse- straight to their face 🫣)
Still think you’re a pretty good person, not deserving the same punishment as others receive, for crimes such as r**e or pe******ia?
Consider this 👇
If you go into a court of law and say, “Judge, yes, I stole the car, but I’ve never killed anyone”, will he not tell you, “that’s good, but that isn’t what you have been accused of, you were charged with stealing, and you have been found guilty as charged, now here is the punishment for that crime”
All sin results in the same punishment, eternal separation from God. And scripture tells us Satan is the accuser of all men.- I’m sure he’s watching me now, thinking to himself, as he records my sin, “hehe, Laura just smoked another cigarette”.
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10-12
Scripture also tells us 👇
Revelation 20:12-13 (KJV)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead (non- believers) were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Now imagine how this will play out on your eternal judgement day your Heavenly attorney (Jesus) stands up and says, “Father, my client (born-again believes) is guilty as charged, but remember I already paid that fine and served the sentence.”
Our gracious and loving God (Judge), will remember That Dark and Glorious Day when Jesus died on that cross and descended into the grave and He will say, “Your guilt is removed and your sentence has been served, you are free to go”.
Prayerfully, you are catching on and following along 🙏
Moving on…
😎 Believe (wholeheartedly) that God raised Jesus from the dead
What’s up with this belief thing, you may say, I mentally acknowledge that Jesus was a real person who claimed to be God - And I believe in some kind of Creator, some people call God - so isn’t that enough?
Obviously coming into a common mental agreement that God exists is NOT what it’s about, especially considering that scripture tells us 👇
”You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!“
James 2:19 NKJV
For all of creation PROVES God’s existence, so the refusal to mentally accept that fact, is simply because you just do not want to see it OR the Holy God, and His laws, that comes from seeing it.
Belief must go deeper than just a mental acknowledgment, it must be a wholehearted assurance in Who Jesus is and what He did on that cross - paid in-full, for your sins and mine by pouring out His own sinless blood🩸to ransom us from the grave.
If you truly didn’t believe, in your heart, that your fiancé was in love with you would you still marry him/her? I sure hope not!
You’re probably heard it said and I’ll repeat it all of my days 👇
Christianity was never meant to be a religion but an intimate relationship with God!!!!
I highly recommend that you do some research on the biblical meaning of the word “knew”, so you can understand what Jesus meant when He will say to some, “away from me you sinner, I never knew you”.
We are introduced to this word “knew” in Genesis, ”Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain,”“
Genesis 4:1a NKJV
It’s a statement of intimacy (no, not that kind) but a inner deep knowing. Marriage is a symbolization of the intimacy the church is meant to share with Christ. We “know” Him in our hearts. Prayerfully the intimacy you share with your spouse goes much deeper than simply s*xual intimacy.
I digress…
C) Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
Our confession, I believe, in part, is the command to be baptized by the submersion of water. Water baptism (is a public confession of what you profess to now believe, in your heart, to be true AND a representation of one dying to themselves, being buried in sin, and raised to new life in Christ) we’ll discuss this more in depth at another time.
D) Done- what exactly does that mean, you may ask. 👇
”When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and [voluntarily] gave up His spirit.“
John 19:30 AMP
”And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever). O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.“
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 AMP
So what exactly is finished? Sin and death has been conquered (the grave can no longer keep us because of our sins, as the rightful punishment due for breaking God’s laws, by keeping us eternally separated from our Holy God).
There you have it, truly as easy as knowing your ABC’s, if it took you a while to learn them, you’re not alone, I repeated kindergarten, I mean, seriously, who fails kindergarten 🙋♀️😂😑
If you are still struggling to understand why God requires such perfection and the high cost that was paid 🩸✝️
👇Imagine it this way…
If a man bought a brand spanking new car (paying let’s say $100,000 for it - every penny he had) and while driving off the lot he noticed a large chip in the paint. Would he not turn right around and demand they fix it, especially considering what the high cost?
Or say a bride-to-be picked up her very expensive wedding gown (which she emptied her bank account to purchase) and noticed even the smallest stain on it. Considering this is the most important dress she will ever purchase, would she just ignore the stain or demand the store fix it? Every bride requires nothing but perfection for her special day.
If us, mere humans, expect and require perfection when making such a large purchase, does it not stand to reason, that God, Who paid the price of our ransom with His Own blood wouldn’t accept anything less than absolute perfection?
The price of our salvation was not cheap. It came at the expense of God’s own precious blood. Blood he willingly, yet painfully poured out for us.🩸✝️
As I was awaken from a very peaceful sleep, I felt the pull, from the Spirit, to get up and write. So, I listened and here we are. That was 3 days ago and again this morning, at 3:30, with the pressing upon my heart to finish writing on this very important topic - Probably the most important one I’ll ever have the privilege to share‼️
At first, I thought I was to write about the Spiritual gifts as that is what I’ve been pondering and praying on lately but as I read my verse of the day (2 Corinthians 5:21), I felt urged to write to nonbelievers about how to obtain salvation through and ONLY through Jesus. And today’s verse, John 3:16 goes right along with it.
Everyone needs to understand and accept👇
”And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”“
Acts 4:12 AMP
You may ask, why is Jesus the only way?
If you read in Genesis please notice God only gave Adam and Eve ONE way to be separated from Him - SOMETHING that hung on a tree. So it makes complete sense that He provides us only ONE WAY to be reconciled to Him - SOMEONE (Jesus) that hung on a tree.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
”Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”“
Luke 19:9-10 MSG
What are you waiting for, simply pray a deep heart felt prayer and receive Christ as your savior. If you don’t know what to say then pray this
Father God, I know I am a sinner and recognize my need for a Savior, please forgive me of my sin. I believe in Your Son Jesus, that He came and lived a sinless life, willing sacrificed Himself on the cross, and was raised from the dead so I could have the eternal privilege to be counted worthy to come into your presence, because I have now been washed and made clean by His blood. Come into my heart Lord Jesus, give me your Holy Spirit so I may dwell in Your house forever. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, amen!
Salvation is just the beginning - we will cover this in our next conversation.
Just so you know, this is only the start, here are some of the things the Lord has been placing in my heart to write about.
Future writings will consist of…
I’m saved so what’s next
Of all sinners I am the worst
God’s will for you and me
Gifts of the Spirit
Denominational differences
The hierarchy of God - A woman’s role to play
Many are called- few are chosen
Grieving the Holy Ghost
Spiritual Battle’s
Where are the hands and feet
Belief vs. Truth - Feelings vs. Reality
Christian’s and alcohol
Addiction and deliverance
The power and necessity of prayer
It matters where your put the But
The Jewish nation - past, present and future
Revelation timeline
False prophets in the church
The millennial Kingdom - New Heavens & Earth
God declared the End from the Beginning
These may be individual messages or they could combine into only a couple 🤷♀️ I never know exactly what or how these writing will come together but they always seem to make one cohesive biblically accurate message.
Yes, I think a lot. If you think I talk a lot, which I do, just be grateful you’re not in my brain. The only things we can never hide from or escape are GOD AND OURSELVES.
My daughter always tells me, “mom, you don’t have to use so many words to get your point across”, - oh, baby girl, but I do 🤷♀️
I’ve come to realize, talking A LOT, must just be part of my personality; I can use that blessing/curse to serve God or the Devil - what do you think I’ve chosen to do?
If you’ve been reading my posts the past few weeks some of this may seem repetitive but seeing as repetition is how we grasp and hold on to new information it seems fitting to rehash.
Love you all ❤️💯
I’ll leave you with this - lyrics from Zach Williams song “Heart of God”
I know you're hurtin', I can see it in your eyes
So pull back the curtain and take off your disguise
Whoever told you, you ain't worth the fight
The cross tells a story that'll change your mind
'Cause there's only love in the heart of God
No room for shame in His open arms
There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are
And there's only love in the heart of God
Come, prodigal children, it's never too late
Run home to the Father, let Him clothe you with grace
And bury your burdens, break free from your fear
Step out of the shadows, there's no judgment here
There's only love in the heart of God
No room for shame in His open arms
There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are
And there's only love in the heart of God
No, He's not sittin' there shakin' His head
Writin' you off, leavin' you lost
He's not sittin' there shakin' His head
Wishin' He'd never went to that cross
He's not sittin' there shakin' His head
Writin' you off, leavin' you lost
He's not sittin' there shakin' His head
He went to that cross, He went to that cross
'Cause He loves you so much
Ooh-ooh, yeah
There's only love in the heart of God
No room for shame in His open arms
He makes beauty from ashes, so come as you are (come as you are)
'Cause there's only love in the heart of God (heart of God)
No room for shame in His open arms
There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are (come as you are)
'Cause there's only love in the heart of God (heart of God)
'Cause there's only love in the heart of God
https://youtu.be/qbPxZPsjhbg?si=LY6GmozMEqZLUU0c
