Where to Start?
Can I start by saying something? I’m so happy you are here. Right now. I don’t mean that with some detached sincerity of an author to his generic reader. No. I mean you. The real you. The me that was where you are now, in this moment. I don’t know the weight of what you are carrying, but I know it’s real. I’m going to do my best to not say I love you a thousand times, but it’s tough. Because in a big way I feel like I’m talking to the younger me. The broken and afraid me. The one who needs help. The one who needs Him. My Savior, Jesus. Let me introduce you.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 NKJV
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5 NIV
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Jesus is the Word and He was with God in the beginning. When all things were made, in and beyond this world, they were all made through Him. Everything. Mountains, hills, streams, oceans, fields, rocks, giraffes, cows, donkeys, dogs, fish, spiders (thanks for that Lord), butterflies, birds and yes — you. You were created through Jesus. In the beginning. In your beginning.
“I [Jesus] am the light of the world” (John 8:12 CSBJesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers). Did you know that at the exact beginning moment of your creation there is a spark? A tiny explosion of sorts. A light. Science has shown this and actually recorded it.[A] It’s absolutely stunning to see, I highly recommend it. Science explains it as a spark of zinc. But looking at it through the lens of Scripture — it’s Him. Jesus. The Light. “I chose you before I formed you in the womb” (Jeremiah 1:5 CSBI chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers). God formed you, in your beginning with Jesus. With a boom.
And there you were. A child, made with light, sent out into the world. What did you do with it? Well, if you were anything like me, and likely the rest of us, there was a lot of falling on your face. We all did it. We all still do it. One of my favorite phrases is “if you think you don’t sin, you just did.” Everyone sins. It’s not an excuse to latch onto for justification. It’s just a fact.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Romans 5:12-13 NKJV
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.
Romans 5:12-13 NIV
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
There is something we have to understand. When sin occurs, it’s then charged to an account. Like going to a fast food joint and ordering off the menu of sin. “I’ll have the #4: Thief’s special, with a side of guilt and shame please.” When we sin, it goes onto our accounts. But how about little sins? There is no such thing, in truth. Sin is sin when it comes to a Holy and Just God. And here’s the thing — if there’s an account to charge to, there will be a bill to pay.
Justice, Mercy, or Grace?
When you stand before the Judge of judges, as we all will, one of three outcomes will occur. Grace, Mercy or Justice. Now a lot of folks out there see Justice and jump on their social box and shout “yeah, lemme see some justice!” You don’t want that. Trust me, none of us do. Not in this case.
- JUSTICE – Justice is the proper payment for an offense. It’s the outcome that should come as the result of an action. The result of the sin. This would be the Judge looking at you as a murderer and sentencing you to death.
- MERCY – Mercy is a lenient payment for the offense. It’s an outcome where instead of getting what we deserve, the Judge shows restraint. The murderer is forgiven and released. They don’t get what they deserve.
- GRACE – Grace is the undeserved favor of God. It’s the free gift of God. It’s God’s love, kindness and gifts to those who do not earn it. The murderer is given what is not deserved. Not based on their merit. But because of the goodness of God.
When you stand before the Judge, trust me when I say, “You don’t want Justice.” Not for what you have done in this life. None of us want that. We deserve separation. We deserve His wrath. We deserve the cost.
Well, what’s the cost? What’s the price? This one ain’t on the dollar menu friend. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 CSBFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers). Any sin. There is no higher price demanded. It will cost you your very life. If you reach the end of your life, guilty of even one single sin, the bill will come due. But maybe you say, “If I’m already dead, what’s it matter?” It matters. At the end of days, we will all be given an immortal body. One that will not break down and pass away. Eternal. And if there is still red on your ledger, if there is even one item on that bill, payment will be demanded by the Just Judge of all creation. And down to the furnace you will go, for eternity. But God…
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:12-21 NKJV
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:12-21 NIV
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
But God defeated sin and death in Jesus Christ our Lord. I know that was a huge chunk of Scripture, but I wanted you to see it in full context. Sin and death came into the world through the fall of Adam way back in the garden. From that moment on, sin was charged to our accounts. Each and every time we sin. Our sins just keep piling up on the check until one day the bill comes due. But God is greater. He saw our fallings and failures — and made a Way. Jesus.
Like a good father would, He wanted us to see that. He gave us glimpses all throughout the Old Testament of His plan in Christ. In fact, when the Genesis sin happened and the fall occurred, God sacrificed an innocent animal to make clothes for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21 CSBThe Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers). For you and me. Sin occurred and a life was taken. A payment made in exchange for that sin so that they (we) could continue on. An innocent life, for our deserved death.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His life so that you could live. So that I could live. In the garden before the fall we walked with God, in the presence of God. But when we fell, we were separated from God because of sin. Wanting that connection to be restored, He sent an innocent Lamb to pay the price for our fall. To shed His blood for our sin. In doing so, He clothed us with righteousness. The righteousness that belongs to Jesus Christ Himself.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we are then and there clothed in His righteousness. Forever. Our sins are forgiven and remembered no more. We are washed clean and have peace before God the Father. For all eternity.
Eternal Salvation.
So how do you do it? How do you obtain eternal life in Christ? This is where you have to be careful who you ask. So and so will tell you to say this, and this church will tell you to say that. Listen, always (I mean always) check Scripture. Probably one of the most amazing conversion stories in the Bible happens in the Book of Acts. Acts is full of them. I promise I won’t make you read them all here.
Paul and Silas were teaching in Philippi and they came across a slave woman who “had the ability to see the future.” I put it in quotes because she had no ability. What she had was a demonic spirit. Well, the spirit in her was proclaiming daily who Paul and Silas were and Who they served. God. Paul and Silas got annoyed with it and cast the demon out. This upset her handlers, because they lost their means of profit. The handlers got Paul and Silas severely beaten and tossed in Roman jail.
Beaten, battered and bruised, Paul and Silas were singing hymns and praising God around midnight. God shook the jails with such a force that every cell door flung open and their chains fell off. But no one left. Once the guard realized what happened, he figured they all escaped, so he was going to kill himself. But Paul shouted that they were all still there.
That’s where we step into the story…
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Acts 16:29-34 NKJV
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Acts 16:29-34 NIV
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
There it is. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Paul didn’t share with him some lengthy “sinner’s prayer,” spouting pastoral words and phrases to puff himself up. No. He simply told him to believe in Jesus, and salvation is yours. From your heart. To the Lord. Done. Period. Friend, hear me when I say this, the words you say do not matter. What matters is your heart. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke of all kinds of heart positions that we face in this world. Ones that we have to check while in this world, sometimes daily.
God knows your heart. He knows you are here and you are ready. Go into your room, your closet, your car, wherever. Close your eyes and talk to the Father. Confess your belief in Jesus Christ, and have faith. From that very moment through eternity — you are saved.
9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 NKJV
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 NIV
The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Now, if you prayed whatever prayer you just prayed and you confessed belief in Jesus and belief in His resurrection — welcome. Welcome brother. Welcome sister. Welcome friend to life as a follower of Jesus Christ. I’m so incredibly happy that you are here. I saved this for now, I love you.
This wasn’t easy. I know, we all know. But it’s done. Christ is in you. He is. Just do me one more favor please. Don’t make the mistake that I made. Get a Bible. And commit yourself, every day, to reading the Word. Pray for knowledge, pray for wisdom, and the peace of God will fill your heart. If you sin and fall, dust yourself off, ask for forgiveness and move forward. Remember John’s loving words? He reminds us that when we sin, Christ is there for us, advocating on our behalf (1 John 2:1-2 CSB1 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers). So breathe, you’re safe. Stay in His Word. Walk in His love. Trust.
God bless.
Authors Note: This post is part of a greater work that the Lord put on my heart to write. My first book, titled “The Second Glance”, is in the editing phase and soon to be published. I’m incredible excited about this and will update this and all threads containing information about it when it completes.