Christ came to the world for one purpose: to suffer and die in order to pay for the sins of the world. His work was completed and accepted by God. But that still does not make everybody saved. Everyone still needs to respond to His work in faith. “…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16. Whether you will be saved or condemned depends on what you do with the work of Christ. This is a matter of personal choice.
In this Article:
Introduction
Just days ago, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although the Easter period was set aside for the remembrance of Christ atoning work, this is what the believers gather to celebrate every Sunday since His resurrection from the dead.
But it’s not enough to just be aware of what Christ did for us, or just to celebrate the anniversary. It is something that everyone should take personal. Christ has done and completed His part, but we still need to respond to His work. For more about what Christ did and some of the blessings available for those who believe, please refer to A Note On the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ has done and completed His part, but we still need to respond to His work.
He Gave His Life as Ransom
In John 3:16, the Bible tells us about the love of God for this world. Because of this love, He “gave” His only begotten Son. The word “gave” in the verse is more painful and wrathful than it sounds. God did not send Jesus to this world to party or have fun. He sent Him to suffer and die a painful death, for our sins.
The purpose of His coming was for Him to be the Lamb of God to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. And the purpose of His sacrifice is to fully pay the penalty of our sin – this He did!
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
So how are we affected by His works?
When we believe and admit our sinfulness and come to the cross to trust in His blood, our sins will be forgiven by God. That is exactly why Christ died. In order words, the way of salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ. What that means is that you believe that you’re a sinner and you can do nothing to save yourself. Believe that Christ has died and paid for your sins, He was buried, and He rose from the dead. If you believe this with all your heart, you will be saved.
…the way of salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ.
His Work Calls for Our Response
The whole world is not automatically saved because Christ died for them. In John 3:16, the Bible says that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believing in Jesus Christ is what determines whether you will be saved or condemned on the last day. To be saved means to be forgiven and given the gift of eternal life. To be condemned means you died in your sins and will spend your eternity in the lake of fire.
John 3:16 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 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Have You Believed?
You can literally determine your eternity today. It depends on what you do with what the atoning work of Jesus Christ. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved and go to heaven. But if you reject Him, you will be condemned and go to hell. It is a choice that you will have to make.
We’re Not to Pay or Pay Back
If Christ has paid for all sins, then there is nothing left for which we can pay. Which means that to be saved, there is no work involved on our part. Christ has done all the works and paid the full price. We are only to receive salvation by faith in what He has done.
It is okay to have the desire to please God and live for Him. But we must never expect to merit salvation by our good works or self-righteousness. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It is salvation first, then works.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Thank you for reading!
