An Honest Question :: By Dennis Huebshman
If you were found guilty of committing a crime and were scheduled to be severely punished, how would you feel about someone else stepping forward and taking your punishment in your stead? Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” And to add to this, Romans 5:8 states, “but God showing His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Please consider Romans 3:10-12; “as it is written, none is righteous, no not one; No one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Going to verse 23; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The “wages of sin” destines every one of us to the lake of fire that was specifically made for Satan and his demons or fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). If we did not have an intermediary to stand for us and actually take our punishment, our forever would be absolutely horrible. However, we do have choices, and each individual will decide which eternity they will enter.
We have the opportunity to have that person – who gave His all so that we could have it all – stand up for us to the Heavenly Father and declare that we are His. And, yes, there is something we must do to have this wonderful gift.
The absolute “catch” is we must follow Romans 10:9-13. “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says ‘Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Just a note here: for anyone who is mute and unable to speak out loud, God “hears” our thoughts as if spoken from the mouth.
Jesus gave the ultimate pure, sinless sacrifice so that every one of us could have the opportunity to be with Him forever. He was not forced to do so, but as John 10:18 states, He came willingly.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we’re told, “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” As stated in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Then, going to 1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our life for the brothers.” (That would include sisters as well.)
The hardest part for many people is to believe there isn’t more that we can do to be saved. It would seem logical that we would have to do continuous works or spend large amounts of money to be able to secure a place in Heaven.
First, John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Then, of course, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”
Today we are witnessing a turning away from the true word, just as Jesus said would happen. Looking at 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Peter states in 2 Peter 3:3, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.”
Luke 21:17 states that Jesus told His disciples, “You will be hated for My name’s sake.” Are we not witnessing people of faith being persecuted by the secular world? Bakers, florists, photographers, and other businesses that hint at believing in the Savior are being discriminated against. Yet, the owners do not turn against the Savior, even when they have to shut down their businesses. Also, it’s sad that the courts where they should receive relief are extra slow in hearing their cases.
In 1860, Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879) wrote a song titled “I Gave My Life for Thee.” It is a praise and worship song that is still here today.
1.) I gave My life for thee; My precious blood I shed, that those mightst ransomed be and quickened from the dead. I gave, I gave My life for thee; what hast thou done for me? I gave, I gave My life for thee; what hast thou done for Me?’
2.) My Father’s house of light, My glory-circled throne, I left for earthly night for wanderings sad and lone. I left, I left it all for thee; hast thou left ought for Me? I left, I left it all for thee; hast thou left ought for Me?
3.) I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell, of bitterest agony to rescue thee from hell. I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee; what hast thou borne for Me? I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee; what hast thou borne for Me?
4.) And I have brought to thee, down from My Home above, Salvation full and free, My pardon and My Love. I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee; what hast thou brought to Me? I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee; what hast thou brought to Me?
We don’t know the day or hour, but in the not-to-distant future, there will be an event known as the Rapture. The mechanics are found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. It will not take place over an extended period of time, but as 1 Corinthians 15:52 states, “In the twinkling of an eye.”
Today, I would advise anyone who will consider their eternity to read these passages. The tribulation period after the Rapture will be the worst time this earth has ever experienced yet. Consider the absolute value of having a true relationship with our Savior. He gave His all for us, and He asks us to call on Him to be saved.
Our Heavenly Father will force no one to accept His Son, but for all who refuse Jesus, there will be a White Throne Judgment, as given in Revelation 20:11-15. Anyone who ends up in that line will be lost forever with no chance of calling out for forgiveness.
All who truly call on the Savior and ask forgiveness will be saved. The unforgivable sin is to follow Satan’s lie and decide Jesus isn’t really necessary. He would have you believe there are many ways to Heaven; however, John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 dispel this completely.
Remember John 3:36, as given above. Also see John 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:11-12; 1 Corinthians 8:6, and many many more that tell us Jesus is the only way to have eternal life.
There are only two paths to eternity. One is the broad path leading to destruction, and the other is the narrow path leading to eternal life with Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14). You have a free-will choice as long as you are still alive as to which path you wish to be on. There is no third option; and at your last breath, your eternity is set.
Jesus plainly states, “I gave My life for you.” No one took it from Him. He could’ve stopped the event at any time, but because of His pure love for us, He endured a brutal death on a cruel cross. He would love for everyone to call on Him to be their precious Shepherd and to become a part of His eternal flock.
The time is drawing near. We are not guaranteed another day here. Right now would be a wonderful time to seek His forgiveness and ask Him for a Home with Him when we leave this earth.
For all who are saved today, we do not fear leaving this earth to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, our Redeemer and absolute best friend.
Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!
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