WHY DO WE NEED SALVATION ?
1. BECAUSE WITHOUT GOD WE ARE HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
WE CAN SEE THE RESULTS OF DOING THINGS WITHOUT GOD. FAMILIES WHICH DON’T PUT GOD FIRST INHERIT HUGE AMOUNTS OF PROBLEMS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN, RANGING FROM DRUGS, BOOZE, MURDEROUS FRIENDS, RUN-INS WITH THE LAW, SICKNESSES WHICH CANNOT BE EXPLAINED, AND MANY MORE. JUST BECAUSE A PERSON CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN DOESN’T MEAN THAT HE IS, OR THAT HE FOLLOWS CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES. MOST PEOPLE TODAY WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING TO HEAVEN, BUT HAVE NO COMMITMENT TO PUT GOD FIRST.
Colossians 1:14-17 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
“CONSIST” = literally means “ARE HELD TOGETHER”. Jesus is the one that holds families together. If you are half-hearted, don’t expect Him to reward that.
2. BECAUSE WE DIE. WE SEE DEATH ALL AROUND US.
Even if you are already saved and are resurrected at the Rapture, you will have to leave this old body behind. It will be completely changed as you ascend.
IF YOU LIVE LONG ENOUGH, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A LOVED ONE DYING. IT IS OBVIOUS.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
A man once gave a testimony that as a church reader was reading Genesis 5, he thought how boring this passage was. It was just a list of different people, and how long they lived, who their kids were. He was young, and had never thought about himself dying. Suddenly, as he was listening he realized that one thing each person listed had in common was that they all died. Some lived longer, some had more children, but they all died. He understood that God was speaking with him about death and his need to get ready.
Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
Genesis 5:8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
Genesis 5:11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.
Genesis 5:14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.
Genesis 5:17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
Genesis 5:20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
Genesis 5:27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
Genesis 5:31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
3. BECAUSE YOUR SOUL AND SPIRIT WILL LEAVE THIS BODY ONE DAY . . .
. . . AND WHEN THEY DO, WE NO LONGER HAVE CONTROL OVER WHERE WE END UP. IT IS UP TO GOD TO BRING US TO A PLACE WHERE WE WILL LIVE FOREVER. THE DECISION IS MADE WHILE WE LIVE, NOT AFTER WE DIE.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
4. BECAUSE THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DISOBEDIENCE, OR SIN.
A. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE SIN TO BREAK THE LAW OF LIFE.
ADAM AND EVE SINNED ONCE, AND SPIRITUALLY DIED. GOD TOLD THEM IT TOOK ONLY ONE ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DONE THE SAME ? MORE THAN ONCE ?
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
A woman received a phone call telling her that her bank account had been accessed by a hacker, and all her life saving were gone. She was devastated. The voice on the other end said that the bank was committed to getting her money back, but they needed to verify that she was one who held the account. They asked for her social security number, and the account numbers. After which, they thanked her for her cooperation, and hung up. Shortly thereafter, she received a call from the REAL bank informing her that someone had accessed her accounts. The first called was a scam. She never fell for anything like that before. She did only once, and lost everything.
What if a man jumps off the top of a skyscaper ? On the way down, he changes his mind and decides it was the wrong thing to do. He complains that it was his first time to try something so stupid. It didn’t help. He died anyway. He did this only once. That is all it took.
ONE SIN PRODUCES AN AUTOMATIC VERDICT OF GUILT. ONLY ONE SIN !
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
5. BECAUSE EVEN WHEN WE TRY TO DO OUR BEST, WE ARE UNWORTHY TO MAKE IT TO HEAVEN WITHOUT GOD.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
OUR FEEBLE EFFORTS ARE NOT TOTALLY PURE OR CLEAN ENOUGH TO MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN.
Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
When faced with the idea that one sin is enough to condemn them to hell, some contend that they are “Good people.” But, consider the number of murderers whose relatives and friends cannot believe they committed a crime. What about their neighbors who say they were always respectful and friendly. Does their good behavior outweigh them killing their children, their wife or others ?
6. BECAUSE OUR CREATOR SAYS THAT WE NEED TO BE BORN AGAIN.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHAT HE SAYS ? ONLY GOD CAN DETERMINE WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY. THINK ABOUT IT.
What government can give you a home in Heaven ? Which of your friends can bring you safely all the way to Heaven ? None. You relay solely upon God.
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
JESUS PRESENTED THIS TRUTH TO A MAN WHO WAS VERY RELIGIOUS, KNEW THE BIBLE, AND SEEMED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE. HOW MUCH MROE WOULD THIS APPLY TO EVERY ONE OF US !
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
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.
7. GOD PROMISES EVERLASTING LIFE TO THOSE WHOSE SINS ARE TAKEN AWAY AND ERASED.
It doesn’t matter how bad your sins have been, there is a God Who wants to free you from them, and bless you. But, you have to do it HIS way.
WHY WOULD ANYONE TURN DOWN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE FREED FROM THE POWER OF SIN ? WHY WOULD ANYONE PUSH GOD’S LOVE AWAY WHEN THERE IS STILL TIME TO RECEIVE IT ?
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
JESUS SPOKE OF DEATH AND CONFRONTED PEOPLE WITH IT MORE THAN ALL THE PROPHETS.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
8. BECAUSE WE CANNOT CONTROL WHAT LIES AHEAD IN A WORLD WE CANNOT SEE RIGHT NOW.
CANNOT GET INTO HEAVEN OR MAKE ANYTHING IN OUR LIVES COUNT WITHOUT HIM.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
9. BECAUSE WE ARE UNWORTHY TO MAKE IT TO HEAVEN WITHOUT GOD.
Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 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.
”Why Do We Need Salvation ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
092015
