"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
-Ephesians 2:8-9
Hypothetical question #1:
Regardless if you're a believer or not, try answering this question. What if, today, the world just suddenly stopped turning? And the sun started to lose it's fire. And the earth just started falling apart? And there, begins rapture. And all those who are meant to be saved just vanished in thin air, And those who are not, are left behind to witness the world crashing and crumbling. Where are you in this situation? Are you part of those people who are saved? Or those who aren't?
Hypothetical question #2:
Suppose, on the day of the second coming, a righteous man, who is well-known for all his charity works, is standing beside a known criminal and addict. Who do you think will be saved, and who do you think will suffer the eternal death?
These questions are pretty common. But as often as they are being asked, not all people will have the confidence to give an answer. Like, if I ask you right now, "Are you saved?". Who will have the guts to answer me back with a big "Yes!"? And if you ask me the same question, how many brows will be raised when I answer you back, "Yes,I am saved."
Let me tell you, in a test for instance, the students who has confidence on their answers, are those who have read and understood their review materials. Same is with these questions. Not a priest or a pastor can answer them for you. You will be the one who will know AND will decide if you are, or if you're gonna be saved or not. Your pastor and your Bible will help you understand, but in the end, it's your test, it's your answer, it's your salvation that will only matter.
At this point, some may shake their heads, roll their eyes, and ask, "Salvation, big deal 'ba 'to?" "What a weak choice for a blog subject." Here's my reply. Right now, you may be enjoying your everyday cup of starbucks, can't live for a second without your smartphone, enjoying every moment of pleasure this world is offering you. But one day, this is the only question you'll ever asked. "How can I be saved?"
"How will you know if you're saved?", this is the million-dollar question. And believe it or not, the answer has been given to you even before you understood you're own identity. I'm quite sure you remember every word of this verse by heart since you're little. Still got no clue? John 3:16 Who would dare say they've never heard of this before? But sad truth is, not everyone understands the truth behind it. It's as good as a poem without depth; like a song without melody.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Sin is the reason why there was an eternal separation between man and God. Man is a sinner and the wages of sin is death. Pretty much, we are all bound to suffer eternal death. Now, imagine being in God's position. A father who loves man more than any of His creation. How can he simply stand there and let us suffer and die? The answer is He can't. He simply can't. Not even the greatest mind will ever understand how great is our God's love for us.So what did He do? He sent His only begotten Son, and let Him take all the curse of our sin on His shoulder. And only on that day, when Jesus died on the cross as a ransom for our sins, that we received our salvation.
So are we saved? Yes, we are. How? Well, definitely not because of your charity works, or your faithful tithing, or because you are a righteous man. You are saved because Jesus died for you.
So are the criminals, addicts, and offenders of the law also saved? Yes. God's grace is for everyone. Nobody's exempted. Because this is the amazing truth about God's grace. It is given to those who are unworthy. For the just and unjust. The righteous and the lawbreakers alike. And besides, great or small, they are sin just the same. Every man is a sinner. Everyone is unworthy. But everyone is a recipient of this gift.
And that...whoever believes in Him...shall not perish but have eternal life.
A gift can only be acquired if you decided to take it. There is one important factor in this truth. That this gift will not be valid unless you accept Jesus as your God and Savior.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -John 14:6
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
Is it hard? No one's forcing you to carry a cross and nail yourself on it. No one's asking you to sacrifice anything for anyone. There' only one thing. Accept Jesus in your life. Now, is it that hard? Do you find it so difficult to love Jesus? If yes, then I guess, you've never met Him yet. There's still no encounter. You have to opened that door and let Him enter. Like a persistent suitor, give Him a chance and get to know Him better. Then you'll see. That experiencing His love is the best feeling you will ever have in your entire life. Better than ice cream or sunsets, or walks in the beach. Better than the warm feeling of hearing the first Christmas carol, or watching flying lanterns. Even much better than dreams.
Imagine Jesus extending His arms to you, in His hand, the most wonderful gift you can ever imagine, the gift of salvation. Will you take it? Or will you forever take Him for granted?
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