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JESUS THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION (PART FOUR)
“THERE IS NO SALVATION IN ANY OTHER”
We conclude these series with a declaration that there “is no salvation in any other”. The only way to know God personally is through Jesus. In Acts 4:12 Peter declared before the Sanhedrin “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (nkjv).
Commenting on this scripture the Editors in NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible say .no other authority, no other personality, no other system or philosophy can effect the rescue of human soul. While some propose the possibilities for human hope other than personal trust in Jesus Christ, God’s word preempts such proposition. In 2 Cor. 5:17 to be “In Christ” is the only way to enter the “new creation” of God’s present promise and His eternal salvation”. Then another witness is Paul in 1 Tim. 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus”. He is the most High Priest, Our Advocate, Mediator eminently qualified by God and His sacrificial death to play these roles.
Apostle Paul declared (Rom. 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes”(nkjv). The gospel is the good news of the birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Paul taught that those who believed then and believe now in Jesus would receive the gift of salvation and be saved from hell and receives eternal life with God in heaven:
Again in Eph. 2:8-9 “by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”(nkjv). No other way to receive the gift of salvation from God. Certainly not by works, payment of assets, provision of services, and debates. If this was possible we would boast in ourselves not in the grace of God, the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. Besides in our corrupt world, salvation would be accessible based on birth, societal position and pecuniary inducements.
But Jesus the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the earth has become and remains our only way back to God and free from the bondage of sin, and Satan.
Question then is what of those who have never heard of Jesus and no one has preached to them?
We are justified by faith in Christ to receive the gift of salvation. Jesus is the only way of salvation. Salvation through works of the law or observance of the law is virtually impossible according to the scripture Gal. 3:9-12 which says “So those who lived by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith – this is no new doctrine! And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: “Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law.”
The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: “The person who believes God, is set right by God – and that’s the real life,” Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: “The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them” (msg).
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith”. Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us …” (Gal. 3:11-13 nkjv) Yes it is Him, no one else.
Really no one can satisfy the requirements of the law to be justified by them. Offence in one is offense in all. But leaning on grace gives room to return to God when we fall. Law makes demands that we cannot keep. Total obedience is required in all the details and it must be for all time. No relenting. Through His sacrificial death Jesus saved us from the curse of the law. We must appropriate this salvation through faith in Him and Him alone.
In Rom. 1:18-21 Paul warns; that ignorance of the word of God is inexcusable because we have seen the manifestation of God’s attributes and from these we know God; His nature and power but choose not to worship and obey Him as God.
“But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” (NLT).
In summary those who choose to seek justification by their works under the law know who God is and must act righteously and totally within the law. This is impossible. It is therefore imperative for believers to pray for the salvation of all souls and to take practical steps to advance world evangelism to save souls for Christ, declaring “the word of reconciliation given to us,that is God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself pleading with all “be reconciled to God.”. (2 Cor. 5:19,20nkjv).
For you who have been preached to, have the knowledge of the unique position of Christ in the salvation of your soul do not delay. Take a bold and quality step and accept Jesus today as your Lord and saviour and you will be saved. Jesus is always waiting with open arms to receive everyone who runs to Him.
Pause and receive Him now and you receive forgiveness of your sins. The Holy Spirit will come to dwell in you and be your helper; guiding and teaching you and illuminating your understanding of the word of God. Repent and pray to Him now and see the change in your life for good. May the grace of God be multiplied unto you in Jesus name? Amen.
Prayer Shield
1. Lord for as many as are divided between two opinions; to follow you or stay in the world, out of your mercy draw them to yourself as you did Saul of Tarsus (Acts. 9:10-16).
2. Lord for all who have surrendered their lives to you be their defense against all oppressions and deliver them in their multi-faced challenges.
3. Lord give all of us spiritual wisdom and understanding to grow in the knowledge of You as God. Eph. 1:17.
4. Let our hearts be flooded with light so that we can understand the wonderful future God has promised to all He calls Eph. 1:8.
5. That the power of the risen Jesus should manifest in us to enliven all that is dead or weak in our lives to hear fruit for God. John 15:16.