Believes In Him

John 3:16

Since the creation of humans, there has been a knowledge of life after death. While modern man tries to play it off as nothing more than superstition, what evolutionary benefit would there be to suppose that there was life after death if no such possibility existed? Animals do not congregate to worship. They do not sacrifice to an idol. That is because they were not made in the image of God, and therefore do not have an eternal part of their being. When animals die, they are dead. Their bodies return to the dust of the earth and that is it. Humans were created in the image of God and He breathed into them and made them a living soul (Genesis 2:7).

In Genesis chapter 3, we read about the first sin. Romans tells us that sin and death spread to all humanity because of Adam's sin (Romans 5:12). Not only does it tell us that death and sin passed to all of us because of Adam, but it also says that all of us have sinned. It is this innate knowledge of sin and judgment that we all inherently know we need some form of redemption from. So, hundreds of religions (if not thousands) have existed for the purpose of appeasing a deity, or deities, through our actions. That is where Christianity is different from EVERY OTHER RELIGION. Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship!

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

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This is where some people cannot handle the Gospel. They love the idea of God loving them. They love the idea of Jesus dying for them. What they cannot handle is that they cannot do anything to save themselves. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus said "It is finished". That means the WORK of salvation was accomplished. The price was paid in full. There is nothing that we can do to add to that. So, Jesus said "whoever believes on Him". "Him" is referencing the "only begotten Son". There is no baptism required, no communion required, no church membership, or any other thing we can do to earn or keep salvation. Jesus paid it all!

Paul, teaching the Romans about salvation wrote:

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“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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10:9-17

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Every religion is humanity's attempt to avoid judgment for their evil actions. Let me say that again, EVERY RELIGION IS HUMANITY'S ATTEMPT TO AVOID JUDGMENT FOR THEIR EVIL ACTIONS. Christianity is NOT a religion; it is a relationship. We are called by God Himself, through His Holy Spirit to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who paid the price for our sins. We are called to be "born again" (John 3:3) into the family of God; to become heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17). It is not about ceremonial rituals to appease a distant God. It is about an intimate paternal relationship with the Creator of the Universe Who loves us.

One final thought. Many people receive Jesus as their Savior and then stop the relationship there. They never spend time getting to know God better through prayer and reading His word. They never develop that relationship. If Jesus is enough to Save us for all eternity, why do we lose interest in Him after He has saved us? I'm not being judgmental here because this temptation is present for all of us. Jesus saved us from our sins, and then we live like we have not been changed. When the world cannot see the difference, why would they want different?

Father thank You for sending Your Son to pay the price for my sins. Thank You for making salvation obtainable for everyone. It isn't just for the rich, nor just for the smart. It isn't something only a select few can achieve through work. You made it so that even the weakest among us can be saved. Your plan was a plan of love, and we love You because of that!