Eternal Approach

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6)

The Salvation that Jesus Christ offers to men is based upon faith in His finished work. 

That faith is based upon very specific Truths about Jesus Christ.

These truths are found in very specific written words. Those words are inspired of God. They are inerrant, complete, accurate, and sufficient for a man to know the way of Eternal Life. 

When a man believes what God has said in His word, repents of his sins, and places His faith in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, he is saved. He passes from death to life. 

The Counsel of the Ungodly

For those, like myself, who grew up within a mainline Protestant denomination, it was difficult to see the clear difference between the gospel that saves and the false gospel of works. 

Because, in my hometown United Methodist church, there were many wonderful people. I had great relationships and many excellent experiences there; even after I became a Christian. But I was confused by the difference between the “faith” of my church and the New Birth that I had found in Christ. 

In our daily lives, as we look at the personalities and qualities of people around us, it is often tempting to think that most people will be saved.

Especially, when we consider those who profess to believe in Christ, who live “good lives”, who are kind, dedicated people, that love their families, who work for a church, give to charity, and do a host of other good things; it is easy to think that the Lord will save such people. 

And, as a young believer, I was very tempted to think that as well. Because, the evangelistic ministry God used to reach me did not give me any tools to discern truth from error. I had very little biblical knowledge to fall back on. Nothing to help me identify the difference between my New Birth in Christ and the false, religious, “Christian” system I had grown up in. 

Sadly, despite being believers for most of their lives, many Christians never do develop this discernment to see this difference; and so, remain within a denomination or church where the gospel of faith alone, in Christ alone, by the word of God alone is not preached. Where they continue to work with and sit under the teaching of ministers who do not know Christ and who do not believe His word.

The Total Sufficiency of Christ

So then, what precisely IS this faith that men must have to be saved? What are the most basic truths that one must believe?

Consider the following:

• The word of God alone is the basis for our faith; not religious tradition.
• Our Faith must be in Christ alone; because Christ is the Only Mediator between God and man.
• We are not to pray to saints; nor to angels; nor to Mary or any other “person” except God.
• There is No “Co-Mediator” that helped Christ in His work of Redemption.
• The work of Christ was finished and completed upon the Cross.
• God is fully satisfied in Christ’s work of redemption.
• A man can only come to Christ by Faith; not by works. 

All of this boils down to the Total Sufficiency of Christ. 

Meaning, that He, alone, was sufficient to pay the full penalty for our sins; and to clear the way, through the Veil into the Holy of Holies, so that we can approach God. 

To Be Concluded . . . 

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