Salvation, dear friends, is not merely a word. It is an experience, a divine transformation that elevates our spirit and brings us closer to our Creator. The Gospel, the holy Word of God, is the beacon that guides us on this path of transformation, leading us from the depths of despair to the heights of heavenly peace.
First, we must consider the perilous situation men are born
into: sin and death. Sin is not just a transgression, a violation of God's
commandments: it is a malignancy that manifests in our souls, causing them to
wither and decay. It is a spiritual poison that contaminates our hearts and
minds, distorting our perceptions and leading us astray from the path of
righteousness.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, reasons this so
succinctly, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Death here is not
just physical demise, but spiritual death – an eternal separation from our
loving Creator. Let us contemplate this for a moment – an eternity of darkness
and despair, separated from God’s glorious presence.
This is the fear of hell, my brothers and sisters. Hell is
not just a place of physical torment, but a state of eternal alienation from
God's grace and love. It is a place devoid of hope, joy, peace – all the divine
attributes that make life worth living.
The Book of Revelation describes it thus, "But as
for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake
that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death."
(Revelation 21:8).
These words are not meant to frighten but to caution, to
awaken in us a realisation of the dire consequences of our sinful actions. They
are to remind us that every choice we make, every action we undertake, has
repercussions that echo into eternity.
We must remember, though, amidst our sorrow, that our God is
a God of love and mercy. He does not desire for us to dwell in fear, but in
love and reverence for Him. For His love for us is so profound that He sent His
only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins
and opening the way for us to have eternal life.
My plea to you, dear brethren, is to turn away from sin.
Seek forgiveness from our merciful Lord. "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). Let us strive to live a life pleasing
to God, abiding in His commandments, and nurturing a deep, personal
relationship with Him.
Shall we then, in our daily lives, in our thoughts, words,
and actions, choose the path of righteousness or the perilous path of sin that
leads to eternal separation from God? The choice, dear brothers and sisters, is
ours alone to make. But remember, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
In the book of Romans, Paul teaches us about the
righteousness that God bestows on all who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22).
This righteousness comes by faith and through grace. It is not something we can
earn or deserve. It is a gift, a divine mercy that is generously given to us,
regardless of who we are or what we have done.
To be saved by the Gospel, we must first open our hearts to
its message. We must believe in the love of God that was so profound, He sent
His only begotten Son to save us (John 3:16). This belief opens the door to a new life,
a life imbued with the love and blessings of God.
As we walk down this path of faith, the Gospel calls us to
repentance. It urges us to turn to Jesus, to seek our Heavenly Father, and to
strive towards a life of righteousness. In Acts 3:19, Peter encourages us,
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,"
and as we do, we find ourselves embraced by God's boundless mercy and love.
Yet, dear friends, being saved by the Gospel is not a
one-time event, but rather, it is a continuous journey. It is about growing in
our relationship with God, about experiencing His grace in every moment of our
lives. It is about allowing the Gospel to shape us, to mould us into the image
of Christ.
Through regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with
other believers, we can deepen our understanding of the Gospel's message. We
can learn to live out its teachings, to love as Christ loved us, to forgive as
we have been forgiven, and to serve as Christ served. This, my dear friends, is
how we live a saved life.
I want to encourage each one of you, to embark on this
beautiful journey of salvation. Open your hearts to the Gospel, believe in the
love of God and His gift of salvation, repent from your sins, and strive to
live a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. It is a journey, indeed, but
a journey that leads us to the eternal joy and peace of God's Kingdom.
Let us remember the words of our Savior, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). May we all heed this call and accept the gift of salvation that comes through the Gospel. And may the Lord guide us and bless us on this journey.