June 1998 Issue

GOD'S PART IN SALVATION

by Mike Merritt

If it were known that our short lives here on this earth were all that would be, and that no eternal Heaven nor Hell awaited us for repayment of our actions, then our purpose here would be quite simple. Each individual's goal would be to simply, eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. There would be no need for anyone to strive for righteousness, truth, nor love. The gain of worldly possessions, power,and authority would be foremost, and the sooner one could achieve his rank, the better.

However, since we know beyond a doubt that this world is not all that there is to life, we need to strive daily to do our part to make preparations for what we know is to come. We must realize that "It is appointed unto man once to die, after this comes the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) It is our responsibility to make the neccessary preparations for this judgement. However, we know that we cannot save ourselves. We then find ourselves in need of a Savior. Our loving God knew of this need centuries before our time. He has prepared a way whereby we can be saved. By this, He has shown His great love for us as we are told in John 3:16: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." God had such a great love for us that he was not only willing to send his only begotten son to die for us, but he is also willing to show mercy upon us. We as humans have done such wicked deeds in sinning against our Lord that we deserve nothing but eternal punishment in Hell for our actions. However, our loving God has shown this great mercy to us all. Yet, is not this mercy shown to all mankind? Yes, it has, though not without conditions. Not all individuals will receive this great mercy in the day of Judgement because they are not willing to perform the required actions to accept it. God sent Christ his son to die for all men, thereby making this mercy available to all. However, each is required to live in harmony with the will of God to take advantage of this mercy.

The provision of God for our salvation is further shown in his making grace available to us. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in the present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

Can we not see then that salvation is from God and it is on His terms? Salvation is God's gift to us if we are obedient to Him. Remember, God has offered salvation to all men, but according to His terms. Not all men will be willing to meet God's terms. What about you? Will you submit to God's will and meet the terms He has set forth in His word for your salvation?

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com