Salvation: September 19, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

SALVATION

DEFINITION:

Deliverance from sin; redemption; deliverance from danger or a difficulty.

SCRIPTURE:

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:3

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many non-believers do not understand us when we talk about salvation. It is most likely that if you were to ask someone, “Are you saved?” they would have no idea what you were talking about. When life is going well people feel pretty self-sufficient and do not feel any need to be saved. When something in life gives them a sense of being in danger they look for something to save them. All who are not saved are in danger of eternal separation from God because of their sin. For the believer, salvation is the process that one goes through to be saved from paying the penalty for the sins they have committed.

Salvation is a gift that only God can give. He has given it to us through His Son Jesus. This salvation is available to everyone. Our hearts are broken that so very few people today feel any need for God and the salvation that He has offered everyone. Many people here in America today feel this way because for several generations now we have taken off our agenda the need for having God in our lives. This has been done through our schools and by the decision makers in our government and judicial system.

In our family, we believe that receiving salvation is the most important decision one can make. We made it a priority to teach our children about God and His plan of salvation. It is such a blessing and a comfort to know that all of our children have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. They are now parents themselves and teaching their children how to be saved.

Jesus began His ministry on earth with the marvelous message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) He never gave us an option. His message was simple and clear -- “REPENT.”

It is also written in Acts 16:30 that the Philippian jailer was in great fear when God caused an earthquake to open the prison doors of the jail for Paul and Silas to escape. They asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what can I do to be saved?” The answer was given clearly: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your household.” This is SALVATION!

Salvation is more than great. The scripture says that it is “SO GREAT.” Salvation in Jesus Christ is so great because:

•    It was from God and through His Son Jesus Christ. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
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•    It came at a great cost. I John 3:16 reads, “Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.”
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•    It is complete and for all time. I Peter 3:18 reads, “For Christ died for our sins once and for all.”
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•    It is the only way to God and eternity. John 14:6 reads: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”
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The Philippian jailer never asked what he could do to be “LOST.” He knew that answer: You do not have to do anything to be lost because we are all born sinners and are condemned because of our sins. The only way to receive eternal life in heaven is the SALVATION that God has offered us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Our family is so grateful for the price You paid for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Thank You for the salvation that is ours because we asked for forgiveness for our sins and accepted You as our Savior.