Let us tell you of our Savior - Jesus Christ.
Who He Is . . .
Jesus Christ is God, incarnate in human flesh. God became a man because
mankind is sinful, separated from God, helpless, and if left to himself,
hopelessly lost. God, in His mercy, did not forsake man in his helpless
state. When Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, He completed the work of
reconciliation. Jesus Christ is completely God and completely man.
"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 Ti. 3:16)
Each Christmas we celebrate Christ's incarnation and birth by Mary, a
virgin Jewish woman who trusted in God and obediently followed Him. (See
-
Luke 1:26-38,
Philippians 2:6-8.)
As a man, Jesus walked the dusty streets of Galilee and Judea,
preaching, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
(Matthew 4:17) John the Baptist clearly identified Christ's person and
purpose when he said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
Jesus is the expected Savior or Messiah, prophecied by Isaiah seven
centuries before His birth in Bethlehem. (See -
Isaiah 53) Many Israelites believed that the Messiah would come as a
political King and Conqueror who would deliver the Jewish people from their
oppressors. They failed to realize that the real deliverance mankind needs
is deliverance from the bondage of sin. Therefore, when Jesus came to earth
as the lowly child of peasants, and did not seek to set up an earthly
kingdom, or deliver the Jews from their physical oppressors, most of the
Jewish people rejected Him as Messiah. "He came unto his own, and his
own received him not. 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
1:11-12)
What He Did . . .
While Jesus was on earth He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even
raised the dead. His ultimate purpose in coming to earth was to lay His life
down as the perfect and only sacrifice for mankind. "For when we were
yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ...God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:6, 8-9)
The religious leaders refused to believe that Jesus was the Christ. His
claim to be the Messiah both convicted and enraged them. So by subtlety and
deception, they illegally arrested and tried Jesus for blasphemy. They then
delivered Him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, seeking his
crucifixion. (Crucifixion was a violent and cruel means of capital
punishment. The condemned person was nailed to a cross through the wrists
and ankles. He was then left to slowly suffocate by the buildup of fluids in
his lungs.) However, we must understand that Jesus' life was not taken.
Rather, He laid it down that He might be our sacrifice for sin. (See -
John 10:17-18,
2 Corinthians 5:21,
Matthew 26:47-27:66)
With His crucifixion, the religious leaders thought they would disprove
His claim to be Christ. The opposite was the true result. On the cross,
Jesus finished the work of redemption. Three days later, He rose from the
dead as eternal proof that Messiah had come and brought deliverance;
everlasting deliverance from the curse of Adam's sin. "Wherefore he is
able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he
ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 9:22)
Jesus is the risen Savior, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father in Heaven as the believers advocate. (See -
1 John 2:1,
Luke 24, and
John 20 & 21)
So what does all this mean to you and me? It means we have a SAVIOR!
It means we do not have to go through this life hopeless, lonely, afraid,
and in the bondage of sin. It means we have an eternal home in heaven
provided by Jesus Christ. It means we have a God who loves us and gave His
only begotten Son for our salvation. "For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Think about it! The very God who created us also died for our sins. He
didn't have to do this for us. But because of His great love, He willingly
laid His life down for you and me. Jesus' work of redemption is the only
thing that is able to bridge the gap between a holy, almighty God and sinful
man.
Dear one, do you sense your need before God for Christ's redemption? Are
you ready to call upon Jesus Christ in simple faith for forgiveness? We
cannot save ourselves by attempting to do good works, or by any other
method. Jesus is the only Savior. He alone offers salvation. If you are
ready to receive salvation, the following steps can help you come to saving
faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, all "that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out." (John 6:37)
How Jesus Can Be Your Savior . . .
First: Acknowledge and repent of the sins you have committed. Salvation
and everlasting life are the free gifts of God through Jesus Christ, but you
need to seek and receive His gifts by faith. "If we say that we have
no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
Second: Believe on Jesus Christ, recognizing that His finished work is
your only hope, and receive His salvation by calling upon His name.
"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)
Third: Confess your sins to God and plead the works of Jesus Christ for
your life. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Forth: Proclaim to others that you have accepted Christ's work of
redemption for your life, and have become a Christian. "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)
If you have taken these simple, life changing steps, the angels of
heaven are rejoicing over you! (See -
Luke 15:10) Begin reading the Bible faithfully and contact a local
Christian church that preaches the word of God. This will help you become
grounded in the faith. If you are having difficulty finding a church, our
church can help.
Congratulations, dear Christian, "if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
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