FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Faith Essentials

you have something available to you Philip didn’t–the New Testament. As the Word says, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). This four-part plan of salvation presentation should help. God’s desire— According to the Bible, “God our Savior. . . desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth . . .not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). Does that mean everyone will be saved? Sadly, no. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). God knows everyone who is and eventually will be saved. But we don’t, which is why we must be diligent in fulfilling His desire to reach as many as possible. Our problem— Scripture records, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This doesn’t mean we become sinners the first time we do something bad. With the blood of Adam flowing through our veins, we are born into sin. As David acknowledged, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5, NIV). For centuries, people have tried to earn their way out of this sin problem. All the good deeds and noble works we can muster can’t begin to wipe away our transgressions and iniquities. As the Word proclaims, “All of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6). Fallen man’s only hope is: God’s love— The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,” as well as, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, emphasis added). The word in the original language in both cases comes from agape, which is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless love. Even when we are most unlovable, God still loves us. There’s nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us.

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