This comic/commentary is originally written on September 19, 2021
A lot of people will tell you a lot of different things about salvation. Some might say you gotta do enough good works. Some will say you need to be specially chosen by God. Some will say you are already saved. If you ask the thief on the cross though, what is he gonna say?
You see, in the Bible, salvation, and faith are inseparable. I always go to this statement for salvation: “by grace, through faith, unto good works”, you find this idea in Ephesians 2: 8-10 (also in Titus 3:5, and Colossians 2:14). The famous John 3:16 states that “whosoever BELIEVES in [Jesus] shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Again, faith is fundamental. But what is this faith? Don’t forget that widely quoted verse in James “even the demons believe”.
Well, faith and simply believing are different things. You can believe that there is a Jesus, believe that He is sinless, believe that you’re a sinner, believe that He can take away your sins and save you, but in order to have that faith, you need to trust Him enough to actually allow Him to save you ( but like, I don’t know why anyone in their right minds will let that offer pass by if they had this knowledge). The Bible tells us that in 2 Corinthians 5:19 Christ is reconciling the whole world to Himself. Sadly, because of people’s pride, too many are rejecting this grace to seek after things they deem better. Humans are free to do that, if you don’t want God, He won’t force you to want Him.
But for those who do want God, who do want to be forgiven, saved, sanctified, it’s never been easier to obtain those things. We live in an age of grace, where “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. The thief didn’t do anything extravagant in the end to atone for his sins, why? Because Jesus did the extravagant work! So let Jesus do the work that He was sent to do! your sins forgiven, debts to God canceled, and eternal life in heaven granted. It really doesn’t matter how bad you were, how long you’ve been bad, or how late in the game you ask God, just ask sincerely, and you shall receive.
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