Tag: Salvation

Bible Studies

“The Popularity and Excitement Around Jesus” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 3:1-12 NLT – Jesus Heals on the Sabbath – Jesus went – Bible Gateway

“Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” Mark 3:7- 8 NLT

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Famous people usually draw a crowd when out in public just by showing up at an event or enjoying dinner out. People crowd around them to say a word, or hope for a longer conversation, or are just looking for an autograph. Imagine if that person, in addition to filling your excitable emotions, could heal you physically of any disease or sickness you had. You would actively seek that person and not wait for a chance meeting. Jesus was such a famous person as he started His earthly ministry as we have been studying in the book of Mark.  

Large crowds were beginning to follow Jesus as the news about His miracles of healing began spreading all throughout the region and beyond. People were traveling considerable distances from outside Palestine to find Jesus. He was becoming quite popular and there was much excitement building around Him.

We read today in the first six verses of Mark chapter 3 of another healing performed this time in the synagogue in Capernaum that helped boost Jesus’ fame. This miracle took place on the Sabbath day which boosted the Pharisees disproval of Jesus to the point they were now plotting His death. As Jesus entered the synagogue there was a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees were watching with intent for what Jesus would do. The verb that is used indicates they were observing maliciously waiting to trap Him. The Pharisees were looking for an opportunity to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by healing the man. Rabbinic teaching did not allow the practice of medicine on the Sabbath unless the individual was close to death. This man with the deformed hand clearly was not, so the Pharisees watched closely.

Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”  (Mk.3:4 nlt) The Pharisees had failed to see the true nature of the Sabbath was to do good. Not healing this man would be breaking the spirit of the Sabbath and would be a sin. The Pharisees did not answer Jesus. By remaining silent they were implying their views on the Sabbath were wrong. They were convinced Jesus could heal the man, yet when He does, they are ready to accuse Him and seek His death. It’s ironic Jesus asked them, ‘Is it a day to save life or to destroy it?’ No wonder they didn’t answer, Jesus was going to save life, and the Pharisees were plotting to destroy His.

Jesus displayed His righteous anger as the Holy One of God and was grieved at their hardness of heart. The Pharisees hearts were growing hard by their pride, and by the prospect of losing their power and positions. Their lifestyle was more important to them than accepting Jesus the Messiah had come. How many people have we in the world today who also love their lifestyle to the point that any mention of Christ hardens their hearts. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were throwing away the truth of Christ for their own lies.

“Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!” (Mk.3:5 nlt) Jesus performed another miracle of healing increasing His popularity with the people and infuriating the so-called religious Pharisees who wasted no time in gathering support to destroy Jesus. The Pharisees met with the Herodians, a secular political party who supported the Roman government, but opposed the Pharisees. The Herodians also wanted to see the end of Jesus. They feared their political power would be in jeopardy if the region became unstable due to Jesus’ presence. The Herodians and Pharisees had a common enemy for different reasons, but their concern for themselves united them. Our world is no different today. We have so-called religious people where Jesus gets in the way of their programs, and secular political parties where the name of Jesus becomes a distraction. Both avoid any contact with the Christ of Scripture.

No matter the efforts to suppress Jesus in our modern society, His popularity and the excitement He builds cannot be restrained. Large crowds still follow Him today, and they are growing. Just as in Jesus’ day, “They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” (Mk.3:7-8 nlt) Jesus is not on earth physically with crowds of people ascending on Him just to touch Him that He needed to seek refuge in a boat. But Jesus’ popularity and the excitement He brings is only natural as He is the only hope in this world, and the only hope for our afterlife. He still heals and saves those who come to Him for salvation. Jesus offers us the ultimate healing from the sin of death to eternal life. That’s worth seeking Him.

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A Christian Perspective

Jesus’ Parting Words

Loring Schultz

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 28:18-19 NLT

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Do you own a ‘red-letter edition’ of the Bible? I have had several over the years. The red letters, of course, are the words spoken by Jesus. It is an excellent edition especially for a new Christian and those seeking to know more about the sayings of Christ, for Jesus’ words are easy to find. A bit of caution though to be aware of when reading a red-letter edition. There is a tendency to put more emphasis on Jesus’ words as being more important than the rest of Scripture. They are not. All Scripture is God’s Holy Word and equally important. What Jesus had to say is very important and should be lived out by every Christian. There is no greater example of living a godly lifestyle than the Lord Jesus. We should heed the words He spoke, all His words, and live accordingly.  

Throughout the four gospels Jesus tells us in His teaching why He came to earth. He came to redeem us and restore our broken relationship with God the Father due to our sin. Jesus proved He was God the Son by the miracles He perform, and His love and compassion He had for all. He lived a perfect sinless life and was the only one worthy to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus taught His followers, including us, how we should live and care for others. Christians today are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in all He taught us by His words, His example, and His parting words which are His instructions for us to follow while He is away.  

Sadly, I’m afraid there are many Christians and churches who are weighing the importance of Jesus’ words against the rest of Scripture even within the red letters themselves. For example, Jesus taught us how to treat others, how to care for poor and the sick, how to look out for widows and orphans, and visit those in prison, along with loving the Lord our God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus taught us many other things in Scripture, but those mentioned above seem to have priority over everything else Jesus said including, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nblt) and His final instructions, His parting words as he ascended to heaven.

All of Jesus’ words have equal importance and it is not up to us to pick and choose, especially when we ignore the gospel message of salvation. Jesus told us to, ‘go and make disciples of all the nations.’ We are to preach the good news of saving grace and explain why Jesus came. He came to provide our greatest need, forgiveness of our sins and to save us from eternal separation from the Father.

And yes, taking care of social needs in Jesus’ name is also the work of Christians and the church. We should be quick to do this work and never neglect it. It only stands to reason if Jesus instructed us to care for the temporal needs of people on earth, He cares just as much for the more pressing need of saving their eternal souls. That is why Jesus gave us those parting words. Let’s do both!

Devotionals

The Lord’s Honored Guest

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 23 KJV – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not – Bible Gateway

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5 KJV

Being held in a position of honor has always been a bit uncomfortable for me, not that it has happened very often. I’m thankful for the times in my life they have occurred. Some years back my wife and me along with my spiritual mentor and his wife received such an honor from the church we belonged to for we both were moving out of the area. It was a pleasant surprise, a joyous occasion, and a humble experience in the recognition we all received.

On such occasions we may also feel unworthy to receive such an honor. Yet, those providing the festivities have a different opinion. It was based on the love we had for each other in being part of the church family, the family of God. In reality, we are all sinners saved by grace through Christ’s love for us. As He has loved us, we love one another in our church family. The church held this special honor because of their love for us.

The 23rd Psalm, probably the most familiar passage in Scripture, ends with an honored guest experience. The psalm is written by King David, and he reveals that he is the Lord’s honored guest at His table. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” (Ps.23:5a kjv) God is the gracious host providing a banquet and treating David as an honor guest. David was overwhelmed saying, “my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Ps.235b-6a kjv)  

That same honor applies to us today. If anything should make us feel uncomfortable or unworthy this would be it. The Lord God preparing a banquet for us and seating us as a guest of honor. But it is because of His great love for us that he invites us to His table to partake of His salvation prepared for us. You’re the Lord’s honored guest, don’t decline the invitation. R.S.V.P.

Bible Studies

“Radical Change” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 2:13-17 NLT – Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) – Then Jesus – Bible Gateway

“As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.” Mark 2:14 NLT

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Have you noticed someone who has truly come to Christ and the radical change that has occurred in their life? I emphasize ‘truly’ for there are many who profess finding Jesus, but their lives do not show it. They are easily exposed to being fraudulent, no true conversion has taken place. Unlike the truly converted, whose lives have changed and taken on a new a meaning. Things they have done before they no longer do, things they would never do they are doing unashamed. Jesus has a way of making that happen in the most unlikely individual when they realize they need a savior. This week in our study in the gospel of Mark we meet up with such a person, Levi, whose name was changed to Mathew after he met Jesus in his place of business.

Jesus went out to the lakeshore after healing and forgiving the sins of a paralytic proving His deity in Peter’s house. Again, Jesus was teaching all who came to Him. “Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.” (Mk.2:13 nlt) Jesus came to a tax booth near the Sea of Galilee. Tax booths were set up by the Roman government to collect taxes for infrastructure and to support the government. They were set strategically along the main roads to collect tolls like in our day. Commercial fishing was also taxed, so you would find a tax booth near a major fishing location. There Jesus saw Levi in his tax collector’s booth and said to him, ‘follow me and be my disciple.’ Levi didn’t hesitate to leave his lucrative job behind he went out and followed Jesus.  

Levi is a good example for us to look at of one having a radical change after accepting Christ as savior. Levi was a tax collector, one of the most despised people in Israel at that time. Tax collection ran like our modern-day franchises. Tax offices were purchased from the Roman government with the right to collect taxes in a certain area. Operators were allowed to keep everything above the required government tax rate. Tax collectors made an exuberant living by charging excess fees far above what was reasonable, and most were dishonest. These tax collectors were making themselves rich at the expense of their own people. Levi left the money on the table, realizing that he needed a savior more than the money due to his sins, and he was now about to show everyone his radical change.

Levi’s quick response to Jesus and what he is about to do next is a testimony to the genuineness of his conversion. Levi decided to have a dinner party in honor of Jesus and invite his friends, colleagues, and associates. “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.” (Mk.2:15 nlt) Levi wanted his guests to meet Jesus who had made such a change in his life. This did not sit well with the Jewish leaders who were looking for anything to discredit Jesus. Jesus sitting among these people and having a meal with them was an offense to these Pharisaical leaders. “But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with such scum?’” (Mk.2:16 nlt) The leaders felt any contact with these people would make Jesus a sinner. Sinner was a common term for tax collectors, adulterers, robbers, and the like. But in their eyes, anyone who did not follow the Mosaic Law as they interpreted it were sinners, or scum.

Christians today need to be careful we don’t look down on non-Christians by not associating with them. Jesus gave us a command to go into all the world and preach the gospel making disciples in all nations. (Mt.28:19-20) Jesus also said “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” (Mt.5:44, 46 nlt) Jesus answered the Jewish leaders in Levi’s home by saying, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mk.2:17 nlt) A self-righteous person feels no need to come to Christ for salvation, but a sinner does. And that sinner will have a radical change take place in their life for all their friends and the world to see.

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Devotionals

Christ the Stone    

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 2:31-45 NLT – “In your vision, Your Majesty, you – Bible Gateway

“Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” Luke 20:18 NLT

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

There are many parallels in Scripture to consider for our benefit if we take the time to recognize them. An easy way to access them is to observe the study notes and related Scripture of the verses in the passage you are reading. That is, of course, if you have a Study Bible. If you do not have one, I highly recommend you get one.  Parallels between the Old and New Testaments occur quite often, and all are important for our understanding and growth as a Christian.

Daniel chapter 2 records the story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s interpretation. The king sees a large shining statue of a man in his dream which frighten him. Daniel reveals the dream exactly as the king saw it. Daniel then interprets the description of the appearance of the man from head to toe.  In short, the man in the king’s dream represents four kingdoms, one that was present, Babylon, and three that are future. They were the Medo-Persian Empire, followed by Greek Empire with help of Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire.  

The rise of a fifth and final kingdom is explained by Daniel from what Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. “As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.” (Dan.2:34 nlt) The interpretation of the rock (stone) is Christ at His second coming who will destroy all the sinful empires of man establishing His millennial kingdom on earth. “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.” (Dan.2:44 nlt)

Jesus told His followers in the New Testament as He was being rejected by the Elders and Jewish Leaders, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” (Lk.20:17b-18 nlt) All who reject Christ, the only way of salvation, is subjecting themselves to stumbling and being crushed by the weight of their own unforgiven sin. Let that not be you!  

Devotionals

Time to celebrate  

Loring Schultz

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV

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Super Bowl Sunday, the unofficial holiday in the United States, is less than two weeks away. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs have earned their tickets to the biggest football game of the year by winning their respective conference championship games. The game has truly become an event the shuts down most of the nation for 4-5 hours on a Sunday evening. There are parties and family gatherings, with every variety of food imaginable and all eyes bent toward the giant flat screen television. Excitement builds for two weeks with fans bantering each other on who will win, and who are true fans and who are the bandwagon jumpers looking to get in on a good thing. Last year an estimated 123 million people in the United States watched the game, and that’s not including the international audience, that close to 40% of the entire population of America.

Obviously, they are not that many football fans in the U.S. or across the world, but many people get caught up in the excitement and enthusiasm of the fans and the whole event. It is a time to celebrate. On those same lines every day is an unofficial holiday for Christians, and it too is a day to celebrate. God in His grace and mercy reconciled us back to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Our only response needed is to accept Christ as our Savior. “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. (Eph.2:8-9 esv)

Do people around us get caught up with our enthusiasm and excitement for Christ? Do you think it’s possible for us to stir up enough excitement these next two weeks to make a difference in the kingdom of God by offering a free ticket to the biggest event in of all history, eternity with Christ?  Yes, it is time to celebrate. And maybe we’ll even see a John 3:16 sign in the end zone this year!

Devotionals

Not Feeling Holy?          

Loring Schultz

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

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Every Christian has come to faith in the same way. The Lord calls us by the nudging of His Spirit leading us to realize our sin before Him. Sin that needs to be confessed and repented of, leading us to accept Christ’s payment for our sins, for there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. When we accept Christ as our savior, our sins are forgiven. God declares us righteous through Christ’s righteousness. Paul says, God saved us and called us to a holy life, and Peter writes, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” (1Pt.1:15-16 nlt) But do we always feel holy. No! In fact, far from it most of the time.

Not feeling holy is not an indication you are not saved. Your salvation does not depend on how you feel. If we monitored our feelings every day to see where we stand on the holiness scale, we would do nothing but continually doubt if our salvation is real and try to make sure that it was. Scripture is clear, we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. (Eph.2:8) We did nothing to earn it. We did not make ourselves holy, God made us holy in Christ.

Understanding the biblical definition of ‘holy’ or ‘holiness’ may help us to see this in a better light. In the Old Testament, ‘The Hebrew word for holy is “qodesh” which means “apartness, sacredness,” or “separateness” showing that God is altogether holy, sacred, set apart or separate from His creation.” In the New Testament, “The Greek word used for holy or holiness is “hagios” and means much the same thing that the Old Testament word “godesh” means, which is “pure, morally blameless” or “set apart” as in set apart for holy use, which is what the saints of God have been called to.” (1) Having been ‘set apart’ for God’s use, we are to be separate from the things of the world.

This helps explain why at times we don’t feel holy. We don’t always set ourselves apart from the world and unto God. But that feeling is not the status of your salvation. The Holy Spirit is working in us to become more like Christ (holy) overtime. That process is called sanctification, being set apart for holy use. It is a journey every Christian goes through and none of have arrived yet, but one day we will. So, keep striving to be holy as God is holy and enjoy the journey.

(1) What Is The Biblical Definition Of Holy?

Bible Studies

“Clear the road” The Good News of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark    

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 1:1-8 NLT – John the Baptist Prepares the Way – Bible Gateway

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” Mark 1:3 NLT

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This first Sunday of the new year in Biblical Insights we will start a study in the gospel of Mark. Mark, the second book in the New Testament and one of the four gospels, begins with a simple introduction, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Mk.1:1 nlt) It may be simple, short and to the point, but that’s the point. So, there is no misunderstanding, this book is about the good news of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The Zondervan NASB Study Bible notes, “The good news is that God has provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Mark is more concise than the other gospel writers and focuses more on Jesus’ actions than His teachings. Although through His actions there is much teaching to be learned. Mark’s gospel puts emphasis on His servanthood while confirming His deity. His humanity is detailed throughout the book, and He is presented as the suffering servant. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) It is the good news of Jesus Christ.

Mark skips over the genealogy of Jesus and story of His birth jumping right into the start of Jesus’ ministry with John the Baptist preparing the way. “He (John) is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mk.1:3 nlt) John was the messenger who was prophesized would come ahead of the Messiah and prepare the way for Him. In ancient days king’s envoys were sent ahead to clear the roads for safe passage and to announce the arrival of the king. John was preparing the hearts and minds of the people of Jesus’ arrival to fulfill His Father’s plan of salvation for them. It is in this same manner that we prepare our hearts and minds by clearing the road of any debris or distractions that will prevent the Holy Spirit from teaching us the Biblical Insights He has for us in this study.

John the Baptist’s ministry of preparing the way for Jesus was a call to repentance. That’s a good place for us to start if we are serious about studying God’s Word and growing in Him. Confession of sin and turning away from it will clear and purify our hearts and minds, making us ready to receive His Word. John preached his message of ‘repentance baptism’, baptism accompanied by repentance, in the arid wilderness near the Dead Sea. People were coming out to him when they heard of his ministry. “All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Mk.1:5 nlt) There hasn’t been a prophet in Israel for 400 years and you could imagine the interest of the Jews to see this prophet. John certainly looked the part with his clothing of camels’ hair and his diet, he was a replicate of the Old Testament prophets.

Meeting John in the wilderness was reminiscent of the Jewish wanderings in Exodus. The wilderness was the meeting place for God and His people in the Old Testament. We need to be reminded of that next time we find ourselves in a wilderness. God loves to meet His people in their wilderness. He will meet us when we are ready to meet Him after exhausting all our options. God will not leave us there but will draw us out as we turn to Him.  

John’s announcement was, “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” (Mk.1:7 nlt) John could not forgive sin, nor was that his intention. His message was to lead people to the one who could forgive sin. John stated he only baptized people with water, clearly no saving value. Referring to Jesus he said, “…. but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mk.1:8b nlt) John the Baptist’s ministry was one of confession, repentance and righteous living, followed up by baptism. He heralded the Messiah’s coming and prepared people waiting for His arrival.

Jesus’ ministry was providing salvation by coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying on the cross for forgiveness of sin, and conquering death by rising from the dead to ensure eternal life for all who believe accepting Him as savior. No wonder John uttered that he wasn’t even worthy as a slave to untie His sandals. Next week we’ll see the one who John was preparing the way for. Have you cleared the road for Him?

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A Christian Perspective

Wars Will End      

Loring Schultz

“Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” Psalm 46:8-9 NLT

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At the beginning of every year wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year are shared among individuals. In addition to the well wishes there is the desire for world peace and the end of wars and hostilities. Deep down there is the hope this may be a year of peace and wars will end. Some asked the question, ‘will there ever be an end to wars and will there be world peace?’ The answer is yes to both questions!

Wars will end at the end of the war of all wars, the battle of Armageddon, when Jesus Christ riding a white horse returns as Warrior-Messiah-King. (Rev.19:11-21) The battle of Armageddon is the final battle. The psalmist writes, “Come, see glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.” (Ps.46:8 nlt) Indeed, this is the final war. The psalmist continues, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” (Ps.46:9 nlt) The Lord Jesus strikes down the nations and destroys all weapons of war with a sword from His mouth. Yes, it is the final war as we have come to know war on the earth.

As much as the nations want world peace it will not be realized until Christ rules on the earth. Then all the nations will honor and praise God. There will be world peace and there will be no more wars. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Ps.46:10 nlt)

The only hope for world peace is Jesus Christ and that day is soon on the horizon. But more importantly the hope for peace with God is also Jesus Christ. Individually, none of us are at peace with God because of our sin nature. Christ came to rectify that by shedding His blood on Calvary’s cross. Let us not worry so much about wars between the nations but about our own war with God by not accepting His Son for salvation.

Find peace with God: Home – Peace With God

Devotionals

How specific is your faith? Do you believe Jesus is God the Son?       

Loring Schultz

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:1, 14 NLT

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The term ‘faith’ when referencing Christianity means different things to different people. It is used in a general sense as ‘people of faith.’ Some Christians say, ‘I am a person of faith,’ ‘I have faith,’ and ‘you got to have faith,’ etc… There are more examples we can name, but the point is numerous people speak of their Christian faith in general terms.

Christians who speak specifically of their Christian faith refer to God’s saving plan of salvation. God sent His Son to die on the cross for their sins. It is by grace one is saved through ‘faith’ by accepting Christ as savior.

The keys to the game as referred to in the sports world is, God being holy can only accept a perfect, holy sacrifice in the forgiveness of sin. Another key is we must acknowledge our sin and our need to be forgiven and made right with God. We must repent and confess our sin believing that Jesus Christ is the only perfect, holy sacrifice. We must come to realize Jesus is indeed God the Son able to save us from our sin and eternal death.

World history recognizes a man named Jesus who walked the earth over 2,000 years ago. There are few people who dispute this by agreeing to the content of the historical Jesus in history books. Believing only in the historical Jesus is equivalent to saying you are a person of faith, believing only He was a man who walked the earth doing great things. If your faith carry’s you so far as to admit Jesus was sent from God but far short of believing He is God the Son, your understanding of salvation is distorted. If you think just having faith, believing there is a God, doing good deeds, and learning what you can from Jesus’ example, is enough to get by in this world and into heaven, you’re mistaken.

Jesus was not just a good man, a good teacher, a prophet, or miracle worker, He is God the Son. If Jesus was only good man, His death for the sacrifice of our sin would be meaningless. How specific is your faith? Is your faith in Jesus, God the Son, having accepted Him as your savior, or is your faith in the historical Jesus, a good man who walked the earth.