"He (the Apostle Paul) opened up the texts so
they understood what they'd been reading all their lives: that the Messiah
absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead--there were no
other options--and that 'this Jesus I'm introducing you to is that
Messiah.'" (Acts 17:3 NIV)
No one was ever saved by the Law of Moses. It was
a burden to the people in Bible times, and it is still a burden today.
Sadly, so many people believe that all they need to do to be saved is keep
the law. And so they try, ever hoping that they will be saved.
When I was younger, I did my very best to follow
each of the 10 commandments. I know I slipped up some, so to make up for
that, I began preaching a lot and doing other good deeds. Unfortunately, no
one I ever met, including myself, was ever able to keep the 10 commandments,
and as I researched the lay sermons I was preaching regularly, I began to
see a pattern of Truth in my Bible: Jesus paid the price for our sin!
As this realization became more and more real to
me, I began to preach about Jesus and His gift of Salvation. One day, while
behind the pulpit, I asked everyone in the congregation to put their hand up
if they felt sure of their salvation. Three people in the entire church put
up their hands, and one of them was my wife. It became clear then that
almost everyone in that congregation was attempting to work their way into
Heaven by keeping the law. So sad!
Let us go back to the first message: "He (Apostle
Paul) opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all
their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised
from the dead--there were no other options--and that 'this Jesus I'm
introducing you to is that Messiah.'" (Acts 17:3 NIV)
Here is another Bible text to consider: "For He
made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)
Remember: No pastor or priest can save anyone.
Only Jesus saves, and those who know Jesus will always put their hand up and
say, "I am saved through the merits of Jesus!"
When it comes to Salvation, We have two options:
1. We can try to earn our Salvation by attempting
to follow the law. When we do, however, we will always doubt our Salvation.
We will always see ourselves falling short.
Or,
2. We can accept as Truth the fact that Jesus paid
the price. There is absolutely no cost to any of us. His innocent decision
to die for anyone who will accept His gift assures our place in Heaven for
anyone who accepts His gifts.
Which option will you embrace as Truth?
In His love,
Rob Chaffart