SALVATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF ETERNAL LIFE

As I was reviewing last week’s message, one thing really stood out to me.  Actually, it was just one sentence.  It said salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  You know what, folks?  I have never seen or heard salvation presented in exactly that way.  I believe God dropped that nugget of truth into my spirit and said “Share this with everyone.”  That would be just for you, my friends.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service.  Everyone is welcome in this place.  The message of salvation is a very simple message that has been complicated by manmade religion and false and inaccurate teaching.  The book of John tells us what salvation really is.  Let’s turn to probably the most read, but also the most underestimated scripture in the Bible, John 3:16.

“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.”

And that, church, is what we have been talking about for the last two weeks -  God’s love for us and the gift of his only begotten son to a lost and dying world.  Jesus had one mission, that being to reconcile us to God.  Jesus took on himself all the sin of this world so we could be set free from that very sin that had us in bondage and separated from God.  Jesus paid the price for our sin by being beaten, spit upon, publicly humiliated and finally nailed to a cross.  He had a spear pierce his side and was given vinegar to drink when he said he was thirsty. 

Little did the Roman soldiers and the unbelieving Jews at that time know that God was using their ignorance and evil actions to set the stage for the greatest miracle of all time -  the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Resurrection meaning, dying for us and three days later arising from the dead.  Returning to heaven to sprinkle his shed blood on the mercy seat of God.  This was received by God as the accepted and perfect substitute for us.

Our penalty for sin was paid fully by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Now, when you read John 3:16 again, you will see it in a much different light.  John 3:16 tells us clearly that if we believe in him, we will not perish due to sin, but will have eternal life with God and his son, Jesus Christ, forever. 

Let’s return to the thought I started with.  Salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  So what does that mean?  Let me put it to you this way:  Every doctrine of the Bible we hold dear to us, don’t we?  The doctrines of healing, deliverance, love, mercy and grace are not even possible or available to us without our receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  It makes no difference how good we are.  We could go to church seven days a week, confess our sins to the most sincere of priests.  Even live the Golden rule, treating others as we would like to be treated.  We could be the best of parents or spouses, the most reliable of employee or the fairest of employers, yet be lost and separated from God forever.

You see, folks, salvation is not based on our actions or intentions.  It is true, to be all of the above is a good thing, but it is not a saving thing.  Didn’t you ever wonder, folks, no matter how hard you try to be good, something always feels not quite right?  Well, what is missing?  The answer:  Salvation that comes only by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart – the true belief that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing him as the Lord and Savior of your life.  Remember John 3:16  said in effect that whosoever believeth on the son of God, which is Jesus Christ, shall not perish but  have everlasting life.  You know folks, in the book of Titus 3:3 we are told something about ourselves.  This scripture states:

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

Now, does not that describe each of us in some fashion or other?  No matter how hard we try to not feel or do these things.  But, guess what happens when we turn to Jesus for forgiveness?   Let’s read on.  Titus 3:4-7 states:

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Is this all becoming more clear to you now?  My friends, we have all made mistakes in our lives, haven’t we?  Some by accident, some on purpose.  I have to tell you, church, as the above Bible scriptures have stated, no matter what spiritual, mental or physical state you are in, you may at this time turn to Jesus Christ.  His mercy and grace are available for you today. 

You see, God wants you to become an heir to all that he has.  The above scripture says that is possible according to the hope of eternal life.  That hope of eternal life is built on only one thing, church – the foundation of eternal life is salvation.  Salvation comes by only one way: Your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life.  Now look, I know I am repeating myself here.  Do not think for one moment that it is not on purpose.  I want you to get this.  Your eternal life with God and his son, Jesus Christ, depends on it.   Let’s look at Ephesians 2:8-9 and we will begin to wrap this message up.  This scripture states:

“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.”

Now, does that not sum up all that we have preached these last three weeks?  Salvation is the gift of God just for you and for me.  A gift however, is only of value to you if you receive it.  Listen to me, just stop whatever you are doing or thinking at this time.  Clear your hearts and minds folks and repeat after me:  Jesus, I believe God raised you from the dead and I am coming to you a lost sinner.  Please cleanse me from all sin.  I receive you Jesus into my heart and I confess you as Lord and Savior of my life.  I believe at this moment I am saved.

This is important, folks.  If you said these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and a child of the living God.  I told you last week this message would be the conclusion to the message on salvation.  But to be truthful with you, there is no conclusion to the message or God’s gift to you.  God loves you and he desires you to be reconciled to him.  This includes you, believer who have walked away from God.  Come on back home this day.  God has been available to you all from your first breath and will be available to you until your last breath.  Salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  Jump on that foundation, folks, and don’t let go.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob