The Gospel Of Your Salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
If you died today, would you be 100% certain that you would go to Heaven?If you are not absolutely certain—or if you have even the slightest doubt—the next few moments could determine where you will spend eternity.This is what you need to know.Here’s the bad news.The truth is, the greatest problem facing mankind is not sickness, poverty, war, loneliness, or the troubles of this present life.The greatest problem facing every man, woman, and child is sin.The Bible says:“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)But what is sin?The Scriptures define it this way:“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1 John 3:4 (KJV)Any time we lie, steal, cheat, take God’s name in vain, lust, or break any of His holy commandments, we sin against the One who created us.Notice the Bible doesn’t just say that only the worst people have sinned.It says all have sinned.That includes you, and it includes me.Having broken God’s Law, every one of us stands guilty before the righteous Judge of all the earth.The Bible not only declares us guilty, but also reveals the penalty for our sin.“For the wages of sin is death” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)A wage is something you earn. If you work a job, you receive a paycheck. In the same way, the wages of sin—the payment we have earned—is death.But even though death is a reality that every person must eventually face, physical death is not the end.The Bible also reveals a second death, which is defined in Scripture as being cast into the lake of fire.“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” — Revelation 20:14 (KJV)“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” — Revelation 21:8 (KJV)Notice something important: this verse is not just limited to murderers and the worst of criminals.It also includes “all liars.”If we’re honest, every one of us has told a lie.If God dealt with us according to what we deserve, none of us would have any hope of entering Heaven.“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...” — Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)But here’s the good news.God didn’t leave us without hope.Although He is perfectly just, He is also rich in mercy.Rather than leaving guilty sinners condemned in their sins, He provided a way for His justice to be satisfied and His mercy to be revealed.“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (KJV)Think about that for a moment.The greatest demonstration of God’s love was that He Himself came into the world to save sinners.“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” — 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)This verse unmistakably declares that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh.Having taken upon Himself human flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ entered this world through the virgin birth. He lived a perfect sinless life and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Throughout His earthly ministry, He healed the sick, cast out devils, walked on water, cleansed lepers, raised the dead, and proved Himself to be the promised Saviour of the world. Yet despite all this, He was rejected by those He came to save. Many of the religious leaders hated Him, falsely accused Him, and delivered Him into the hands of the Romans where He would eventually stand trial, though He was innocent. He was unjustly condemned, beaten, mocked, scourged, and nailed to the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life for you and for me. He became our substitute. He bore our sins in His own body, took the punishment we deserved, and paid in full the penalty that God’s justice demanded.The precious blood that He shed upon the cross secured our redemption.“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” — Colossians 1:14 (KJV)That same precious blood is the only thing that can wash away our sins.“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” — Revelation 1:5 (KJV)After suffering and shedding His blood for our sins, Jesus died upon the cross.His body was laid in a borrowed tomb.But three days later He arose bodily from the grave, victorious over sin and death.Because Jesus Christ has paid the full price for our redemption, there is nothing you could ever do to earn or deserve salvation. It is received entirely by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.“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.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)No amount of good works, religious efforts, church membership, water baptism, or personal morality can save you.Salvation is found in one Person alone—the Lord Jesus Christ.“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (KJV)How can you receive this salvation?The answer is found in receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” — John 1:12 (KJV)To receive Him is not merely to acknowledge that He existed or even to know the facts about His life.It is to recognize that you are a guilty sinner in desperate need of a Saviour and to place your complete trust in Christ alone for your salvation, believing that He died on the cross for your sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He did it all for you. It is personal.“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.” — Romans 10:9–10 (KJV)“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13 (KJV)Notice the Bible says “whosoever.” That means anyone. It means you.If you believe what has been presented to you, and you have never trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, why not do so right now? The opportunity to be saved is today.“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)From your heart, go to God in prayer. If you are not sure what to pray, you might pray something like this:Dear God, I know that I am a sinner, and I know that I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ was my substitute, that He died on the cross for my sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. I believe that His precious blood was shed as the payment for my sins. Right now, I place my faith in Jesus Christ alone, trusting in His finished work on the cross. Thank You for saving me, forgiving my sins, and giving me the free gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.It is important to understand that these are not some magical words you repeat to get to Heaven.They are simply an example of what you might pray to God if you truly believe what the Lord Jesus Christ did for you on the cross and desire to be saved.If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, praise God!That was the most important decision you will ever make.Because your salvation rests upon the finished work of Christ, you no longer have to fear Hell—you are eternally secure in Him. You can rest upon this promise:“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6 (KJV)But don’t stop there.Share this good news with someone else—a friend, a family member, a co-worker, anyone—so they too can learn what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for them.Now that you are a born-again child of God what’s next?#1 Join a good Bible-believing church.God never intended for the Christian life to be lived apart from other believers.Faithful fellowship with other believers provides encouragement, accountability, and sound biblical teaching.#2 Study the Bible daily.Spiritual growth comes through the Word of God. Let the Lord teach you through His Spirit. As you study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and help you grow in your walk.“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...” — John 16:13 (KJV)“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17 (KJV)“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” — 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)#3 Speak with your pastor about water baptism.Water baptism does not save you, nor does it wash away your sins.It is an act of obedience after salvation and a public testimony of what has happened inwardly.