No differences exist among human beings and human need. The wages of sin is death for every man. Likewise, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ and free for all who choose to believe (Romans 6:23):
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
The standard by which every man is judged is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and by that, every man born into this world must be born again or face the wrath of God. Because humanity has sinned against God, it is no longer up to man to determine his own destiny. Every man must count on the grace and mercy of God for his redemption. Salvation for sin ridden man depends entirely on the grace of God: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:21).
Sin taking a back seat in every man or dwelling in the flesh is the reason flesh and blood (natural born) cannot enter into the Kingdom, for it is impossible for man not to sin (John 8:44). The two men, Jesus and Adam, stand for death or life for every man:
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Despite man’s hopelessness and helplessness there is good news for every man by the grace and mercy of God. What God has done for every human being in Christ outweighs the bad news of sin, corruption and condemnation received from Adam. In Christ, God has extended his mercy to all men in every generation. God has paid for sin by offering His only begotten Son as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6). The death of Christ was a sin offering. God gave the life of His Son as a free gift for the salvation of all who would believe:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11-12).
“For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:32-33).
Jesus is man’s representative and every man’s substitute. In Him every man was punished. The wrath of God against the sins of mankind was appeased and His indignation satisfied. Jesus died for every man and by that every man died in His death:
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Further, God gave His Son as a propitiation for all sins: “And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our sins only, but the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). God made His Son who knew no sin, to be sin for all, so that all who may believe be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). John expressed the love of God in the following statement:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:16-19).
It is not the will of God that any man should perish, rather, that all may be saved which includes you and me. God takes no delight in the death of any man. Only one man, Jesus Christ, was born to die; every one else was born to live. This is why Paul in his letter to Timothy encouraged all Christians to pray for the salvation of all men:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:1-5).
The Cross of Calvary says it all. Calvary is what God said and did about all the sins committed by fallen man in the past, present and future. The cross of Jesus is the meeting place of the sins of mankind, the wrath of God, the grace and mercy of God, and the punishment for sins. The vicarious death of the Son of God on the cross provided emancipation and expiation of sins committed in the present, past, and future for all who choose to believe; His death provides new life with the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The outcome of what happened on the cross was peace and goodwill toward men. Sin, death, and Satan were totally defeated at the Cross of Calvary. In fact, neither Satan nor the rulers of this age understood the events of the cross, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also very important for Christians. If Jesus had not risen again from the dead, to confess Him as Lord and Savior would have been in vain. Christians would have been liars in claiming that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Then, we Christians are fools because we believe and claim a man who died two thousand years ago to be our Lord and Savior. Christianity would have being like one of the many false religions:
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
But, to God be the glory, Jesus did rise again from the dead. He was only in the grave for three days, for death could not hold Him captive. Having no sin of His own, death had no power over Him. Today He is alive, well, and highly exalted (Romans 1:4; 4:25). Only God can save, so if Jesus Christ is not what He claims to be or what the Bible portrays Him as being (equal with God and God), then He cannot save any man (cf. Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 2 Peter 1:1; 3:18).
Jesus’ resurrection proved that He was indeed God’s anointed; the Savior-Messiah, and the sinless Son of God. The resurrection also proved that the redemption work accomplished on the cross on behalf of man was accepted by God, and that God was well pleased and satisfied with Him and the work he has done. Further, His resurrection extolled Him above every creature — above angels and men.
The presence of the rotten bones and flesh (skeletons) in the tombstones of all religious leaders ever known in history is an indication they died as sinners and were no Saviors. They were not even qualified for what they claim to be. The only man who died and rose again from the dead and is alive forever is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is only one Savior for the human race and not many saviors.
There are many false Christs, but only one true Christ, who is Jesus Christ, the son of the living God. His earthly name Jesus, means Savior. His surname Christ means the anointed one or Messiah. The double title is an affirmation of His deity, which also differentiates Him from all other self-proclaimed saviors and prophets. Christians know Jesus Christ as the God-Man — a man who is fully God and fully man.
Every man in need of God’s salvation is required to have faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is a gift from God and comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith gained through the Gospel becomes personal faith, and with that, the believing sinner can accept the faith of Jesus Christ. He can accept all that Jesus accomplished for him through His redemptive and substitution death.
The Holy Spirit who is the dispenser of all faith is willing and ready to give to all who seek to know and come to God through Jesus Christ. Again, beware that the salvation God has provided for all mankind in Christ is not universalism; every man must first believe and accept the substitution and vicarious death of Jesus to be saved.
According to the word of God, “whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” And anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is considered to be a liar and antichrist (1 John 2:22):
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1).
To believe that Jesus is Christ is to receive Him as portrayed in Scripture: the anointed of God and Savior of the world. It is also to identify Him as the Christ; the expected Jewish Messiah whose coming fulfils all prophesies. Anyone who says he believes must believe from the heart. Belief must exceed the sphere of sensible observation and beyond mere intellectual assent and acknowledgement. Lastly, such must be evidenced by acceptance and confession.
Until Jesus came, the Mosaic Law served as God’s standard of righteousness for all men. But, when He fully fulfilled the law, the law was laid to rest forever. Jesus was made a curse for all humanity by dying on a shameful cross; therefore, all who come to God through His faith are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:19; Romans 10:4). They are dead to the law, and it does not matter whose law.
Righteousness in the sight of God is not found in natural religion and neither is it found in revealed religion (Romans 1:19,20; 3:1-2). It is only found in the Gospel of Christ or in Christ Jesus (Romans 1:16-17). The Gospel is God’s love letter to the world. The Gospel reveals two important blessings for mankind: one, that Jesus died for our offenses; two, He was raised again for our Justification.
God declared His righteousness when He punished the sins of mankind in the person of His Holy Son. As a result, God is just in justifying any sinner who places his faith in His Son. This is the central message of the Gospel of Christ; if one died for all, then all died (2 Corinthians 5:14). As already mentioned, Jesus Christ is the glory of God personified (John 1:14).
Anyone who is willing can meet the holy requirements of God through Christ Jesus; Jesus Christ is the one stop for all human needs. In Him, there is an abundant grace and provision for all who come to God to be saved from their sins (Romans 3:24). According to the Scriptures “by the righteousness and obedience of one man (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:15-19). What qualifies a man as holy or righteous is not his own works but, by his faith in the faith of the only Son of God: “For therein is the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17; cf. 4:25):
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22).
As already stated, belief must be evidenced or followed by confession; you must establish your belief by confessing the same. Believing and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is all that is required for any sinner to be saved (born again). When your faith joins the faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17; 3:22), there is the imputation of sin to the righteous Lamb of God and conversely, imputation of righteousness to you.
Each and every believer seeking to be born again must demonstrate agreement and acknowledgement to the truth believed by professing the same. Faith is imputed as righteousness to all those who come to God through Christ (Acts 2:36). Confessing Jesus as Lord is the voice of a heart that is full of faith; remember, words are expression of thoughts. Belief is acceptance, and confession is a sign; hence, belief and confession ratifies the completed work of Christ on your behalf.
By your faith and confession, God is free to transfer all that Jesus has done and accomplished into your account; they become yours.
Do what the Gospel says
Now, follow the instructions from the word of God; just do what the scripture says:
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:8-13; cf. Revelations 3:20).
Jesus cannot be your Savior if you are ashamed to be identified with Him. Open your mouth and confess Him as your Lord and Savior right now — say it. Also, ask Him to forgive you all your sins. By this confession, you secure your name in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:15; 19:9). If you are in doubt as to what to say let me help you.
Here is a sample prayer, feel free to use as your own:
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for my salvation. Forgive me all my sins and cleanse me with thy precious blood. I from this moment accept you as my Lord and personal Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Congratulations if you did! Jesus said the new birth is like the passing wind, the wind can only be heard or observed, but cannot be seen or explained. So go ahead and enjoy your new life in Christ. You have obeyed the voice of God, and done exactly what He said you should do. Be assured that God has also done His part. You are set for life here and hereafter. Accept your salvation and never doubt again. God is faithful:
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
You are born again by believing and ratifying the same by your confession; consider yourself a Christian from this moment. Isn’t it amazing? Is it that simple? Yes, this is the way God works. If you need further enlightenment on how to be saved, I recommend you read my book “A Second Chance.” If you were not sure that you were a Christian when you first got baptized or have never been baptized in water (with water), then get baptized:
“All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
Now, before I conclude this important chapter, let me make it easy for you to remember some of the blessings that are your possession as a Christian. This is who you are now by virtue of your new birth; this is what all Christians have in common:
Justified (declared righteous) by faith (Romans 3:24)
Possess the love of God (1 John 3:14; 5:1)
Have Vital union with Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Sins forgiven; past, present and future (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14)
New creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Born again; second birth (John 3:13)
Washed, Cleansed (John 3:5; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 2:9)
Sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 2:14; Romans 16;15; Hebrews 12:6-11; 1 Peter 1:7)
Possess the Spirit of adoption (Galatians 4:4,5)
Child of God (Romans 8:14)
The righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Alive unto God (reception of new life, Ephesians 2:1,5; 1 John 5:12)
Saved by grace
Possess a new name, saint (Ephesians 2:12,19; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13).
Immediate access to God (Hebrews 10:19,20)
Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
Possess the peace of God ( John 14:27; Ephesians 2:12-14,17 )
Contentment (2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 13:5)
Indwelt by the Spirit ( John 14:17; 1 John 2:20, 27; 3:24)
Blessed (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:14)
Reception of a new nature (2 Peter 1:4)
Possess the mind of God (Philippians 2:5)
Victory over sin, devil and the world (Romans 8:37; 1 John 3:9; 5:4,18)
New destiny (John 14:1; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Revelations 21:27)
Passed from death to life (1 John 3:14)
Possess eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12)
Jesus your advocate in heaven (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1)
Citizens of heaven
Full assurance of hope (Hebrews 6:11)
Holiness of life (1 John 5:18)
Holy Spirit your advocate on earth (Luke 12:12; Romans 8:34)
Reward for righteous living (2 Corinthians 4:17)
God’s property (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Constant protection from all foes (Romans 8:31)
In conclusion, “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” (1 Peter 1:3). Every Christian is blood bought, blood washed, and Spirit born. Every Christian is born again; if you are not born again, then you are not a Christian and it does not matter how good or religious you may be.
Through regeneration (spiritual birth) every Christian is a new man, new creature, and complete. Never would our new man need any improvement or repair (Colossians 3:10). Regeneration is an inside work. Although the body, environment, neighbors, workmates, friends and family remain the same, inside is a brand new man.
Thanks for reading. From “Transcended Life 9781606435274.”