No other name by which we must be saved
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
What is the gospel?
… it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed. (Romans 1:16–17)
The gospel means good news. It is God’s power for all mankind to have an eternal relationship with Him. It’s like how you can build a relationship with someone, but the difference is that you are going to have an eternal relationship with God. A relationship that will never end and will always be your true satisfaction throughout your life. Most importantly, you will have a new life that will never perish but be able to live a life that reflects the glory of your Creator.
Why do I need the gospel?
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23–24)
It’s because we have sinned against God.
We may not think of ourselves as bad people, but how can I be a sinner as I have not committed any crime before? Why does the Bible call me a sinner?
Jesus told us that we are sinful because we sin in our hearts. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus says, “You have heard ‘… anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment… anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca (it means brainless idiot)’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” In Matthew 5:8 Jesus also says, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
God is holy. Our sins, even if they appear to be trivial, have already created a huge gap between God and men because the consequence of sin is death – the eternal separation from God.
What does death look like?
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already. (John 3:18)
Because of sin, humans are condemned to death.
It is not easy to imagine death. Sometimes, it even sounds remote to us. But I am sure you have seen the dead body of an animal before. There is no life in it. No matter how hard you try to wake it up, it will not respond because it is dead. So there seems to be a massive barrier between you and the animal that cannot be crossed.
No matter how well you live today, we shall face our death one day. We shall be separated from the ones who love us. However, above all the people you know, God loves us the most. He wants you to be with Him forever but not be separated.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
The “death” in Romans 6:23 is not only about physical death but also our spiritual death. Only God can give us a new life. This new life is not like the old one. It can bring us into this eternal relationship with God, our Creator.
How can I have this eternal relationship with God?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
If we want this eternal relationship with God, we cannot rely on ourselves by doing good because we cannot. So we have to admit how helpless we are. Even though we don’t want anyone to know how helpless and sinful we are, God knows our struggles and wants us to come to Him.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)
Not only do we have to confess our sins and admit how helpless we are, but we also need someone who truly loves us. God our Heavenly Father sent Jesus His son, who has no sin at all, to come as human flesh, die for our sins, and pay our debts on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God. This is the great love God has for us. You cannot find such love anywhere from anyone else.
God loves everyone in this world, including you and me. The Bible says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)
Why should I receive Jesus as my personal Savior & Lord?
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
We are all sinners that deserve death and punishment, but God loves us so much and even sent His son Jesus to come to the world and die on the cross for our sins. Not only that, but we can also be His children instead of the slave of sins. Our relationship with God will be changed forever.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
For those who are the children of God, God gives us the Holy Spirit to live in us. Because of this, we are able not to sin but live a God-pleasing life. We will become honorable person that reflects the quality of God and live a life that can indeed bless others for the glory of God.
The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). How wonderful it is to receive Jesus as our Lord. He has not only given us a new life, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to learn from God’s words and become more and more like Jesus.
… Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)
What’s more, the resurrection of Jesus ensures us the everlasting life He promised for those who believe in Him. This is the grace God has prepared for us. It is a free but precious gift that no one can ever earn by effort or pay anything for.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
As sinners who are powerless to save ourselves, God has prepared this one and only way to save us from our death, our powerlessness, and our sins – believing and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We should receive His grace with a humble heart.
Do you want to be saved?
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
If you want to accept God’s grace of forgiveness, find a quiet place and tell God personally that you believe in Jesus, His Son. Remember, God is always listening. Whenever you pray, He is right there. You can pray according to the prayer below. It’s not a ritual, nor it has any power. It is only a guide to learning to tell God about your heart.
The Bible says, “broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Pray to God with your heart:
“God, I know I have sinned against you. Thank you for your grace and sent your Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I want this eternal life with you, just like Jesus, who rose from the dead. I accept your gift and thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for this eternal life. Help me to be a follower of Jesus. Give me a new life, a life of following Jesus, a life proclaiming Jesus as my Lord!”