“For BY GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8,9)

Why all this talk about “salvation”? If God is a loving God then why not just forgive everyone? Why not open the “gates of heaven” for all? Why should there be any mention of judgment?

The answer is entirely based on WHO GOD IS.  Salvation is a necessity because God is holy. Man is a sinner by nature and God will, and must, judge sin (What would you think of a judge who allowed a criminal to go free?). God cannot ignore sin and remain just and holy. He cannot cease to be Himself! THIS is man’s great problem, for all are sinners and God demands justice.

But, He is also a loving God. His love is seen in how He made a way for man to be forgiven. His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the price for sin on the cross. What took place at the cross should not be trivialized. It was a bloody and violent affair. The hardest heart would have shuddered to behold His suffering. Christ became man’s SUBSTITUTE and the fierce judgment of God fell upon Him.

“Grace” is God’s free offer of salvation on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. He suffered and died for you. “It is the gift of God.” It cannot be earned by “works.” This gift is accepted “by faith.”  It is received as you acknowledge to God that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. You must ask Christ to be YOUR Savior.

Will you accept Christ as your Savior? What’s stopping you from talking to God right now?