Salvation is the greatest gift

• Salvation is the greatest gift given by God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus died for the entire world. Is shed blood was the price necessary to redeem us from our sin. Yet not all men are saved; not all rest in the assurance that they will find their eternal destiny in heaven.

• Salvation cannot be earned or bought.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not o works, lest any man should boast.”(Ephesians 2:8-9)

The first thing is that all men have sinned. Perhaps we have not committed murder, or adultery, or stolen things. But most of us have struggled with issues of anger or jealousy. And certainly, we all have neglected God at some time in our live. Many people don’t think of themselves as sinners. But God’s Word says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Sin entered the world through Adam. The punishment of sin was death. Death has continued to this day. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that al have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

“…The wages of sin is death….”(Romans 6:23a) We deserve death because of our sin. But the Bible goes on to say, “…But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (6:23b). God made way for us, even while we were sinners."God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8)

Receiving salvation requires a step of faith. Faith means that you believe something in your heart regardless of what it looks like on the outside. It is important that you put your faith in action.

“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!” (Romans 10:13)

Call out to God in the name of Jesus. He will answer your prayers. When you are feeling in greatest need, He will be there to answer. The Bible tells us that we must believe and confess that belief. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth He 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)

Salvation means that you are free from the penalty of sin. You can look forward to an eternity in heaven! Your life as new! “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is an new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17) You are “born again.”

All of this has come about because God loves you He desires to be your heavenly Father; he desires you to be His child. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believes in His name.” (John 1:12)