Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Gospel--The Greatest Message that Gives Life - By Stephen Lewis


The Gospel--The Greatest Message that Gives Life

When Adam and Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden, God did not declare them “sinners” (although they were and we are); God declared them “DEAD.” The result is that every human being is estranged from God--"alienated from the life of God." Ephesians 4:18. Therefore, what man has needed since that time is not only their sins forgiven, but more importantly, they have needed “LIFE--Everlasting Life.”
At the cross the righteous justice of God was satisfied for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus Christ is the Propitiation for the Sins of the Whole World (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2). It is by Grace alone, through Faith/Believe/Trust alone, in Jesus Christ (based on His Death and Resurrection) alone that we receive the free gift of everlasting life (the remedy for everlasting Death).
Therefore, the person comes to God through believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ in His role as Mediator bestows everlasting life on the believer, thus introducing him/her to God. God in response accepts the believing person and pronounces him/her justified. The Issue is not believing in the payment for sin but believing in Jesus Christ for the Free gift of Everlasting Life based on Jesus Christ’s Death and Resurrection.

2 comments:

Theodore A. Jones said...

A number of churches in my area are teaching from the writings of a preacher who teaches that it is necessary to obey a law to be saved. Do you think that what this fellow says is a false message of salvation?

Trent said...

Hi Theodore, thanks for visiting. Assuming that we are speaking of eternal salvation, and not one of the others written about, I would ask you what did Jesus teach as the way to receive eternal life? Jn 20:30-31 sets the context for the gospel of John. What did he say in Jn 3:16-18? John 6:47? What did he tell the woman at the well? What did Paul say in Eph 2:8-9 and what does he say in Romans? Titus 3:5-7 and more. Yes, I would say he is a false teacher. The question is, is he confused or teaching false doctrine on purpose?

Grace and Truth
Trent