Luke 23:43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Faith in Christ and His Finished Work on the Cross is all that is needed to be Saved. God requires nothing more and will accept nothing less. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
The single purpose for Jesus' coming to earth was to die on the Cross so people can be saved from spending eternity in Hell AND be set free from all power of the enemy in their life while they are alive. The Finished Work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary is two-fold and multi-faceted. There are so many benefits of having faith in Christ we would never be able to list them all. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His Benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:1-5)
All this, and more, is afforded to anyone who will choose to believe and continue believing in Christ and all that He accomplished on the Cross for them. Everything Jesus did while He was alive on Earth was to prove Who He was. The Prophets had Prophesied of the coming Messiah and Jesus fulfilled all their Prophecies. Many thought He was just another Prophet but when Jesus was baptized by John God Almighty spoke from Heaven and told them Who He was. And suddenly a Voice came from Heaven, saying, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.” (John 3:17) The people who were there that day actually heard God speak from Heaven and introduce to the world the Messiah! Wow! What an opportunity to be alive and there that day!
While at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His Disciples about His identity. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16) Jesus proved that He was the Son of the Living God; the Messiah Who came to die on the Cross for the sins of the world.
Just as it was in the days of the early Church, people today are still trying to add things to the Finished Work of Christ. Some say you must be baptized in water to be Saved. Others say you must attend a certain church or spend so many weeks in a new members class. There are those who believe that you must speak in tongues to be Saved. All these things (and more) are not true and this is all false teaching. We don’t have to add anything to the Work of Christ on the Cross. Actually, when you think about it, that’s pretty ridiculous but people have been doing this since the days of the early Church. (Acts 15:1)
The perfect example of Salvation by faith in Christ alone is the thief on the Cross next to Jesus. This man was guilty of many things. According to the law of the land at that time, he deserved the death penalty. He did not believe in Christ until he hung next to Him that day. Luke recorded what happened that day. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering rebuked him saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
The thief on the Cross next to Jesus believed Who He was and called Him Lord. With those words, he revealed his faith in Him and that’s all it took for him to be Saved; nothing more; nothing less. Faith in Christ alone equals Salvation. Hallelujah!
Faith in Christ will……….turn the tide……….in this evil world.
Nothing more; nothing less. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
