One of the most simply put, although to-the-point verses in the Bible for me, is Romans 8:1. “There is therefore, now no condemnation, for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (any emphasis mine)
This tells us directly that when we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, and we are His, it’s a “forever” thing. We may have issues on this earth, but the Savior has overcome the earth through His sacrifice. (John 16:33). Nothing can take us away from Him.
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am sure that neither death nor life; nor angels nor rulers; nor things present nor things to come; nor power, nor height nor depth; nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I can’t think of anything else that is not covered here.
WE received a free gift from the Creator of the Universe that is ours for the accepting, and for opening the gift. To have the gift given to us but never opening it is the same as rejecting it.
If you are anything like me, whenever I hear something is “totally free,” I can be very skeptical. Whenever I see something offered free, I check further and almost always find “just pay shipping and handling” in very small letters. Checking further, the shipping and handling usually is enough to cover the cost of whatever is offered. Therefore, it’s not free.
Our Heavenly Father does not include any hidden charges for our Salvation.
Consider please, Romans 5:15-17:
“But the free gift is not like the trespass, for if many died through one man’s trespass (Adam), much more have the Grace of God and the free gift by the Grace of that one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin (again-Adam). For the judgment following one trespass (Garden of Eden) brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification (Jesus died for ALL sin). For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of Grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ.”
When something is repeated in the Bible, it’s worth taking note of.
Many times, I have heard people say they believe they have to do “works” or perform certain “rituals” in order to “earn” their Salvation. This is the same as saying Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was not enough to appease the Father for our sins, so we have to do something to make up for it. Some religions (Islam for example) never know if they have offered or sacrificed enough for their god to be appeased. At the same time, their gods are not gods of peace and love as the Lord God Jehovah, the only true living God.
To say Jesus did not pay it all is an insult to the Father for sending Him in the first place (John 3:16-18).
Re-read Romans 8:1, then please consider Romans 10:9-13:
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (So far, the only cost is believe and confess). For with the heart, one believes, and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Gentiles); for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Please note, God put a period here; don’t substitute it with a comma and/or add anything.
When the passage says “all who call on the name of the Lord,” that covers everyone on this earth who will accept Him. In John 10:16, Jesus said, “And I have other sheep (Gentiles) that are not of this fold (Jews). I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.”
How do we “qualify” for the free gift? Romans 6:8-12, “Now if we have died with Christ (confess and repent of our sins), we believe we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him (one sacrifice for all the world’s sin). For the death He died, He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you must consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body to make you obey its passions.”
So, there we have the ultimate “cost” of our Salvation. Believe Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) who came to this earth as our sacrifice for our sins. He Himself was sinless. Have faith that His shed blood covered every sin ever committed or that ever would be committed, if (here’s the price) the sinner will call out to Jesus to save them.
We have all sinned, and need the perfect sacrifice that only He could have given (Romans 3:23). He will turn no one away, but does expect that we turn away from our habitual sinful life. He knows it’s not possible for any other human to live a totally sinless life, but gives us a pathway to forgiveness in 1 John 1:9. He paid the total price though His blood; we get the grand prize of eternity with Him for this.
Sadly, there are many who do not want to “give up” what they think is most important to them on this earth. Through Satan’s influence, they see the “here and now” as being the only thing they have to live for. They do not look ahead to consider eternity is a long time. They give up their gift from the Savior to have the “pleasures” of this world. It is only righteous and just that anyone who rejects Jesus will spend eternity separated from Him in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no other option.
Jesus wants a “relationship” with us, and He understands it’s not an overnight process. He is there to encourage us and take our prayers whenever we wish to talk to Him. The Father has provided our instruction manual (Bible) to enable us to get to know Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit better. Each day, ask the Father to give you more understanding, and also the capacity to love Him more. Going to worship services is fine as long as the true word is being given there. Too many today are going all around the truth with “ear-tickling” messages to keep the seats and collection plates full.
For false prophets who say there are many ways to Heaven and we all worship the same god, here’s one more direct verse that’s totally to the point: “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Yes, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), but continue to verse 18: “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
In case someone needs a bit more, see Acts 4:12: “And there is salvation in no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Is believing, confessing, repenting and living for Jesus too much to pay? This has to be your own personal decision. As for me and my house, we will worship the Lord (Joshua 24:15). If you do not choose Jesus before your last breath here, your decision will automatically default to Satan. You will have chosen eternal punishment that is waiting for him and his demons, and forever is a long time.
Jesus is waiting for your decision. He could come to take all believers home at any time now. Call on Him today!
Come Lord Jesus!