Eternal Salvation

The salvation of the soul is the greatest issue that anyone will ever face. It is the question of where each one will spend eternity.

Jesus Christ put it into perspective. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). This should move us to urgently address this issue.

Salvation has to do with eternal life. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). “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).

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). This means endless life in a land where there will be “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Those without salvation are called lost. To them Jesus will say, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:41, 46). He has said that in the end He will send forth His angels and shall gather them that do iniquity, “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42).

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

There is Salvation in Jesus Christ

Complete text of: Eternal Salvation

Everyone needs a Savior. Mary the mother of Jesus referred to “God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47). She needed a Savior. Everyone needs a Savior because everyone has sinned. The Scriptures say, “There is none righteous, no, not one,” and “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). Our sins separated us from God.

Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Of Him it was said, “We have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42). The apostle Peter said of Him, “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The apostle John wrote, “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). We read, “we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men” (1 Timothy 4:10).

Jesus Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). John wrote, “Not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He purchased our salvation and reconciled us to God.

We come to salvation through repentance of sins and being born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

The apostle Peter preached, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

A Scriptural Warning

There are warnings in the Scripture that we need to understand and give heed to.

The book of Hebrews says, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1). Jesus said, “Take heed that ye be not deceived” (Luke 21:8).

Deception is a danger because of a great deceiver, who is called “the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). He is a deceiver in religion. The apostle Paul wrote about “another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel.” He said, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” and “his ministers also…transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15).

The new birth that comes through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus changes a person’s life. “Therefore 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). The person who is truly born again has the Spirit of Jesus Christ. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

When a penitent sinner is born again he will turn away from sin. The apostle John wrote, “He that committeth sin is of the devil… Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin” (1 John 3:8-9).

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Remaining Saved

To remain saved after finding forgiveness and being born again has a simple requirement, which is faithfulness.

Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).

Jesus also taught, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). To the angel of the church at Smyrna He said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). To the angel of the church in Sardis He said, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” (Revelation 3:5). The apostle Paul wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

A heavy judgment is placed upon unfaithfulness. Hebrews 10:26-27 tells us, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” A willful transgression is not covered by the blood of Christ without repentance to come back into fellowship with Him. The apostle Peter also wrote, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Peter 2:21).

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). God has promised to keep those who are faithful and obedient to Him.

“And now, little children, abide in him” (1 John 2:28).

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The Christian's Manner of Dress

There is a way of dress that complements the Christian and his high calling. Paul writes to the Philippians, "Only let your conversation [manner of life] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27). An individual's manner of dress is like a window providing a look into his heart. It makes a clear statement of his estimation of himself and reveals who is the master of his life. God's will is for the human form to be adequately covered, not displayed. The true disciples of Christ have always been known for their modest dress. 

Satan uses various methods to undermine God's standard of modest dress. There is apparel that is worn mainly as an ornament or for display, rather than simply as a covering for the body. The proud heart of man is gratified by fashionable and showy things. Proverbs 21:4 says, "An high look, and a proud heart...is sin." Suggestive attire draws attention to the human form and promotes lustful thoughts and desires. Clothing that fits tightly or insufficiently covers the body attracts attention, arousing the passions of the opposite sex, and contributes to immorality. It is especially alarming that many people profess godliness but show little regard for modesty and purity. Man is ignoring God's will in the matter of dress.

The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 lay a scriptural foundation for humility in dress. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Notice that the apostle does not say that a Christian may glorify his body. Rather, he is to glorify God in his body and in his spirit.

Writing to Timothy, Paul further gives the general principles of a Christian's dress. When addressing women, he writes, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Peter also writes that women should shun "that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:3-4). "Putting on of apparel" means clothing other than that which is used for the sake of decency. There is a manner of clothing the body that is appropriate for the Christian. On the other hand, there is a type of clothing that is carefully chosen to draw attention to one’s self and leaves a different impression than that of a humble and sincere Christian. In Proverbs 6:16-17 we read that even a proud look is an abomination to God.

Complete text of: The Christian's Manner of Dress

The fashions of the world are so alluring because they appeal to man's vain pride. Some people want so strongly to be identified with the latest trend that even their common sense is overruled and they become a slave of fashion. This is the sad condition of those who profess Christianity but do not embrace the Biblical principle of modesty and simplicity in dress.

Customs may vary from one culture to another, but most societies make some distinction between the clothing of a man and that of a woman.

Romans 12:1-2 is applicable to this subject. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This is a beautiful invitation to offer our lives to the Lord in every way. While these verses do not refer only to the way of dress, they do suggest that a holy beauty will radiate from those who are surrendered to God's will. We are blessed when the attire of the physical body witnesses to the presence of Christ in our lives.

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Which Road Shall I Take?

The Crossroads

The journey of life has two roads and two destinations. The choice and decision of which road to take is yours.

As a child, you walk for a while on the road of innocence, and then you come to a crossroads. The road of childhood and innocence ends, and you discover two distinct roads. As you come to this crossroads, you must make a decision. Which road shall I take? This decision is very important. It is the most important decision in life because one road leads to heaven, and the other road leads to hell. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

How will you know when you come to this crossroads? There is no set rule or age. Some children reach the crossroads earlier in life than others. Perhaps the crossroads is not reached until the person is exposed to the gospel or made aware of a better way. It may be a new awareness of right and wrong or a gentle tug to follow the Lord. These are indications of the crossroads. God is a loving God, and he makes known the two ways regardless of country or culture.

As you stand at the crossroads, what do you see? Take a good look at the two roads. You will see that one road is wide and apparently smooth and easy to travel. The other road is narrow. It requires saying no to sin. The wide road has many people walking on it, while the narrow road has only a few. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Wide Road

Are you confused or not sure about which road to take? If you step closer to the wide, well-traveled road, you will hear Satan, the master of this road, asking you to walk with him. Satan’s story sounds very enticing. Along his road he offers many friends, and everyone seems to be quite happy. The entertainments along this road are many. There are drinking, dancing, parties, and many other types of amusement.

Complete text of: Which Road Shall I Take?

People beginning to walk this road may have good intentions. Many are even able to refrain from the pitfalls for a time. However, all too often their morals and good standards begin to suffer. Lying, stealing, and cheating can become common practices. It seems you can pick your style of life on this road and call it freedom. It appears that you can refrain from (or indulge deeply in) certain sins. You are taken along this road so rapidly that you are hardly aware of time running out. Some people on this road are overcome by many troubles, and they see no way out. Too often despair, drugs, murder, or suicide are the result. The Bible says, “The way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15).

Is this what you want in life? Is this the road you want to travel? Did you notice that Satan never mentioned the final result of traveling his road? He would not dare—he would betray himself. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). The result of walking the broad road is hell, the lake of fire that never goes out. This place was made for the devil and his angels. There will be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth forever. Are you going to walk with him and share his fate? Even if you are now traveling on the wide road, today is the day to choose the narrow road.

The Narrow Road

Take a closer look at the narrow road. This road is for everyone who sincerely seeks it—no one is turned away. Jesus wants to be your Savior and personal guide. He asks you to repent of your sins, surrender your will, and trust in him. He says, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Jesus is the kind shepherd (Psalm 23). He loves you so much that he will walk right beside you on the narrow road. As he teaches you his ways, you will find joy in following Him. When the path seems dark and difficult, He will take hold of your hand and lead you until you can see more clearly. Sometimes when you get very weary or the path is dangerous, the Shepherd will take you in his arms and carry you. Soon you will have strength to walk again. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). With other Christians, you will find love, care, and support as you walk the narrow road.

The Choice

These two roads, the wide one and the narrow one, both end when life is over. Then comes the judgment. God will judge everyone’s life by the road he has traveled. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

On that final day those people traveling the wide road with Satan as their master will face God in judgment. “And they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:13). “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

The people traveling on the narrow road will also face God in judgment. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). To be at home in heaven with Jesus in that beautiful place—no words can describe it! “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Which road will you choose? It means either heaven or hell for you throughout eternity. Choose the narrow road, and ask Jesus to help you. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

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