Salvation isn’t complicated, but there is a process. The process has nothing to do with religion, works or tradition. A very good example of just how simple it is to come to a saving faith in Jesus is illustrated by an account recorded in the book of Acts.

An angel of the Lord sent Philip to an Ethiopian eunuch who was trying to understand a passage of Scripture found in the book of Isaiah. This man was trying to understand about the Messiah, but was having difficulty because he didn’t know Christ and therefore he didn’t have the Holy Spirit as a guide.

Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading, “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31).

The gospel needs to be explained before a person can understand and Philip was eager to teach him. The man was reading Scriptures (Isaiah chapter 53) about the coming Messiah and the fact that He would be led as a sheep to slaughter, but would go silently. To Philip this passage was very clear, but unless the eunuch heard an explanation he could not comprehend the meaning. It still works that way today.

The lost souls of this world need to hear about Jesus and have the gospel explained in order that they will believe.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

If someone you know hasn’t accepted Christ as their Savior, you need to tell them the Good News. Explain why He entered His creation to die on a cross. Everyone sins and that sin separates us from God. Everyone needs to hear that only the blood of Jesus will take sin away. They have to hear the truth in order to accept His grace.

Once they’ve heard the Good News of salvation, they need to believe. A person may have head knowledge of Jesus, but they need to believe the truth of it. We need to believe in our heart by faith. Jesus said that we need to believe in Him…believe that He is God and the only way of salvation.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24)

It does matter that you understand that Jesus was and is God. If He was just a man his shed blood would mean nothing. His death on the cross would  have just been another crucifixion. He was buried and His tomb was sealed in order that nobody could have stolen His body and faked the resurrection. Roman guards were posted there to guard against anyone who would take Christ’s body from the grave. In spite of all the precautions that were taken, three days later the tomb was empty.

“O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Jesus conquered death. He arose victorious from the grave. Only God could accomplish what Jesus accomplished. Saving faith in Jesus means you believe that He is God and that salvation is only through Him.

Hearing the Good News and believing it are the first steps, then you recognize that you’re a sinner and you need Jesus to forgive you. When we understand that without Jesus we’re eternally lost the first sin we repent of is rejecting Christ.

[Jesus said,] “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

As you study God’s Word you’ll become aware of the sin in your life and repent of it. Repentance means changing your mind. The word repent is translated from the Greek word metanoeo, which literally means “to perceive afterward.” Once you’ve heard the gospel and believe Jesus is God and the only way of salvation you need to learn what constitutes sin and turn away from it.

As we study His Word we become aware of the depth of our sin and we want to get it out of our life.. This is an ongoing process that draws us closer to our Lord. There are sins that we’re aware of when we first come to Jesus; for instance, we most likely understand that murder is a sin.

In His Word we soon find out that thoughts of hatred or anger are as bad as murder. That’s when we change our minds about being angry with people (repent) and replace the hatred with love toward others. It’s a day by day process that continues throughout life. The conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, Bible study, and a love for Jesus.

If you’re too proud to repent, then maybe you need to step back and hear the gospel message again and believe it. This is an eternal choice and if you won’t serve Him in this life, will you be happy to serve Him for eternity?

It’s important to say out loud that you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Tell your family and friends about the Truth that you’ve found and don’t be ashamed of Him:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

It isn’t always easy to continue in the path of righteousness, but if you’ve told fellow Christians that Jesus is Lord of your life, they will help you. Old friends who don’t understand that you no longer desire to join them in the sinful life you once enjoyed may try to get you to fall back into old ways. Stand firm and confess to them that you live for Jesus.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)

Don’t be ashamed of your decision to follow Christ and confess Him to everyone. Don’t allow anyone to come between you and Jesus.

A very misunderstood part of salvation is baptism. Let me be clear when I say that baptism is very important, but it does not save you. It’s an act of obedience and an outward sign of faith, but only faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ will bring salvation.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

Baptism symbolizes our new birth in Jesus…our old sinful nature is put to death and buried, and as Christ was resurrected so are we to a new life in Him; our sins are forgiven. Don’t minimize the importance of baptism. As Philip explained the gospel the Ethiopian eunuch believed it. Then he knew he needed to be baptized.

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:36-38)

There was no hesitation by the Ethiopian but first he had to hear, believe, and confess Jesus. Then Philip immediately baptized him. He didn’t have to learn the rules and regulations of a certain denomination, all he had to do is believe in Jesus Christ. If you haven’t truly accepted Christ in faith, baptism means nothing. An infant cannot make a choice to accept Christ as their Savior, so infant baptism means nothing.

A friend once told me that God doesn’t even know you exist until you’re baptized. He was wrong. There is no record of Abraham being baptized or King David, yet God spoke as He knew them. The prophet Jeremiah reveals that God knows us before we are born, and even prior to conception.

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

In the account of the Ethiopian eunuch we also understand that God sent an angel to tell Philip to go share the gospel with an unsaved man who was searching for answers.

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” (Acts 8:26)

God knew the eunuch and he knew exactly where Philip would find him. Another error people make regarding baptism is between the denominations. If a person is baptized by a Methodist pastor then decides to join a Baptist denomination, most likely the Baptists won’t accept the Methodist baptism. This really mocks God. You aren’t, or shouldn’t be, baptized into any denomination.

If you’ve accepted Christ you are a Christian, not a Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc. The exception to this is if you have been baptized into a non-Christian cult such as the Mormons. In order to be baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ you need to know who He really is.

Once you’ve believed it’s time to grow. You do that by studying God’s Word and applying it to your life. Recognize that you continue to sin and confess your sin to Jesus.

“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)

God has given us the Holy Bible as a guide so we are without excuse if we continue to commit the same sins over and over. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you away from sin. You may need to form new friendships and let go of old ones.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

If your friends embrace abhorrent lifestyles, party continually, or generally don’t honor God, then you need new friends. Jesus died a horrendous death in order to purchase your salvation. You owe Him everything. Salvation is only complicated if we listen to man’s doctrines. God’s Word makes it easy to understand and follow.

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Amen.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

How often have you wondered about life after death? If you ask ten people their opinion you’ll probably get ten different answers. Some people will tell you that we become angels while others will say that there is nothing beyond the grave. Some even think that reincarnation is true.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

That discounts reincarnation. Truth is always found in the Bible. This verse says we don’t die over and over until we get it right, but there is a judgment after death. Christ offered Himself as the sacrifice for our salvation.

Is it possible that we become angels after death? No. Angels are created beings and existed prior to God creating Adam. In the book of Job we’re given an account of a very tragic time in Job’s life. His children all died, he lost all of his livestock, and his health was impaired. Eventually God spoke to Job and wanted some answers from him.

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)

When God speaks of the “morning stars” and the “sons of god” He is talking about angels; they sang at the creation of the earth. That was prior to the creation of Adam so we humans don’t become angels when we die. Our body goes into the ground, but our soul lives on.

Prior to Jesus’ victory over the grave, a person’s soul would go to a temporary place to wait. This place was composed of two sides. One side was a place of comfort, called Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom, where those who had looked forward to the coming of the Messiah waited. The other side is a place of torment where souls who reject the Messiah await judgment and eternal death.

Jesus gave an illustration of two men who lived very different lives on earth and both faced very different eternities. There was a rich man. His god was money and prestige. Jesus doesn’t give his name. Then there was Lazarus who was very poor and in ill health. The rich man knew who Lazarus was but did nothing to ease his suffering. Both men died. Lazarus found himself in Abraham’s Bosom but the rich man served the wrong god and found himself in torments.

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”  (Luke 16:23)

This man had gained riches on earth but lost his soul. He was very much aware of his pain and suffering; he also could recognize people he had known on earth and was able to speak with them.

“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:24)

He should have made a wiser choice before he died. The rich man also remembered his family who were still alive and still had a choice of where they would spend eternity.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27-28)

Even today we make our own choice as to where we will spend eternity. You cannot work your way into heaven, nor can you work your way out of hell. Purgatory is not biblical nor is the idea of annihilation. This does illustrate, though, that after death we will recognize people and remember those who we have left on earth.

A misunderstanding people have about the afterlife is that it’s an extension of this life. If you’re “good” you go to heaven. If you’re bad you go to hell where there will be one big party with all of your friends. In the above account of the rich man being in torments, we clearly see that there is no party.

The rich man was miserable and was very aware of his misery. In truth his misery was just beginning. He’s been in torments for over 2,000 years and is still very thirsty. At the end of time at the Great White Throne judgment he will find himself cast into the lake of fire.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15)

This will be a never ending place of fire and isolation. If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, this is what eternity holds for you. If you have accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation you will have a mansion.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 14:1-2)

Jesus is preparing a mansion for all who believe in Him.

The longer we have lived, the more friends and loved ones have died. Can they come and visit us? No. As much as we yearn to see our loved ones they cannot come to us. Grief grips our hearts when someone we love dies and King David was no exception. He made a very bad choice and committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Today this story would be featured in every gossip magazine. Bathsheba was married but became pregnant with David’s child and David made sure her husband was killed to cover up the situation. That doubled his sin instead of making things right with God. When we sin we affect people around us and so it was with this child, who became very ill. Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin and David was repentant and grieved over his sin and over the sick child.

“David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.” (2 Samuel 12:1).

David shouldn’t have given in to the sinful lust and murder, but now all he could do was go to God and pray. This little boy did die and David’s response surprised the servants who had been watching him grieve for seven days. David washed, went before the LORD and worshipped Him, then he ate a meal. The servants asked him why he had fasted and wept while the child was alive but didn’t grieve after the child died.

“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23)

This is an important lesson we all need to take note of. The child went to Abraham’s bosom upon death and David knew that the dead aren’t allowed to come back from the grave. He also knew that because he loved God, he would one day go to be with that child. David repented of his sin and one of the most beautiful psalms was written as David cried out to God.

“…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:1-3)

David could only go to see his child if he had repented and asked God to forgive him.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

David would see his child again in Abraham’s bosom.

Jesus conquered death. On the third day after the crucifixion His sealed tomb was empty. As the disciples gathered in a locked room in fear and to comfort each other, Jesus appeared.

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:19)

This gives us another clue about the afterlife. Jesus was able to enter a locked room but the disciples recognized Him. Thomas wasn’t there, but a few days later Jesus appeared to him. Thomas was overwhelmed.

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

When we see Jesus in heaven I’m sure that our response will also be awe, joy, and worship. Jesus had appeared to them, but remember that He is God and He had a lesson to teach the men who would spread the gospel. If you’re in a locked room and someone who has died appears to you, this isn’t of God. Rebuke the spirit in the name of Jesus.

There is to be no communication between people who have died and we who live this side of heaven. Because Jesus is who He is, He did appear on several occasions. He even ate food with them. From this we understand that we will be able to recognize each other after death and to socialize with each other. That is, we can in heaven.

If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior then there is a different life awaiting you. One of torment. When Jesus died on the cross He took our sin upon Himself. We cannot enter heaven if we die in our sin, but by truly accepting Christ’s blood sacrifice we will never suffer with the rich man in torments.

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Thank You, Jesus, for your sacrifice for me.

What’s on the other side? Either eternal life or eternal death. It’s your choice. There is only one way to live eternally in the presence of God, and that is by placing your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians1:21)

That is only true for someone whose sins have been forgiven. Don’t delay in admitting you are a sinner and ask Christ to forgive you. It’s an eternal choice that you can only make on this side of heaven.

 

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).