Plan of Salvation

John 3:16   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

          Many people do not understand why Christians say everybody needs a savior.  Life may have its problems, but none of them are so bad that they feel they need to be saved.  Nor do they feel they have done anything so wicked as to deserve being sent to hell for all eternity.  The problem with both of these assumptions is these people are not looking at sin through God's eyes.  God is perfect.  He has never done anything wrong, and never will be able to.  When we compare the good in us to God's unending goodness, it is like trying to light up the universe by holding a single burning match. 

          Why compare God to light?  Jesus himself said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  He made them perfectly, then put a man and a woman in His garden to take care of it.  Life was perfect.  The sun was bright and warm with no blasts of heat or nights of cold.  The ground was covered in a lush blanket of grass, soft for walking.  The plants grew plenty of food, a never-ending supply.  There was no death, no pain, no suffering, no sorrow. 

          We know there was no sorrow because in Genesis 3 one of the curses of Adam's sin was that he and Eve would know sorrow.  Where the earth had been benevolent and provided all they needed, because of their sin they would now have to work hard and they would eat their crops in sorrow.  Romans 5:12 tells us that sin entered the world through Adam, and through Adam's sin death followed.  Where once there was light and life, there was now darkness and death.  God is the source of all life.  Adam and Eve turned away from God.  When they did, they turned their backs on life.  Without life you have death.  All sin, whether big or small, is turning away from God to do things your own way. 

           This is very important, so I'm going to repeat it.  All sin, big or small, is doing things your way instead of God's way.  God has told us how He wants us to live.  He has given us the Bible so we can know exactly how He wants us to live.  Some people complain that the Bible is a boring list of old-fashioned rules.  Of course it is!  God is the oldest-fashioned thing around.  What is older than God?  Why would He change His rules He set down from the creation of the world?  Why would we want Him to?  If God were to change the one rule that is annoying you to no end, just to please you, why wouldn't He change another rule tomorrow to please your neighbor?  Maybe her new rule would now make your new rule obsolete.  How could you ever trust God to keep His word when God keeps changing His mind? The fact that God never changes is the wonderful thing so many overlook when complaining about "old-fashioned rules."  God keeps His promises.  The Bible is full of wonderful, glorious promises: 

               Matthew 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.   

               Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you      

               Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

               Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

               John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

         While these promises are wonderful, it should never be forgotten that they are made to specific people.  They are made to those who will trust God, who believe what God says, and who do as He commands.  And the most important command He had given is for us to trust in Jesus to save us.  John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  This one verse holds God's promise to save us from ourselves. But beware: it also holds a solemn warning that anyone who does not trust Him will not be saved.  God leaves the decision to you.  You must decide whether to accept Jesus' promise for you or to tell him, "No, thank you."  There is no middle ground.  God has given you a gift.  Will you take it? 

                                    Yes!                                                    No thanks