How does one come to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior?
The Bible makes it very clear that we are born into this world dead in our sins and cannot of ourselves come to faith in Christ Jesus or trust in Him. It is only by God's gracious working through the Gospel that anyone is saved.
Jesus Himself said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44).
The Bible says in Ephesians 2:1-10: "And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
The Holy Spirit, working through the Word of God (cf. John 3:1ff.), reveals to us our utter sinfulness and the just condemnation we deserve on account of our sins; but He also reveals to us that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God in human flesh, fulfilled the law for us and suffered our punishment when He was crucified and put to death upon the cross. He assures us that because Christ died for our sins and rose again, God's wrath against sin is appeased and God offers and gives full pardon and forgiveness for Jesus' sake. The Holy Spirit calls us to believe and take comfort in the fact that in Jesus we have redemption, that "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7; cf. 1 John 1:7 -- 2:2; Eph. 1:6-7).
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 10/01/2014