“The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.” (John 3:31-34) As I read this text recently, it occurred to me that if the one who accepts Jesus’ testimony certifies that God is truthful, then the one who rejects Jesus’ testimony is calling God a liar! Wow. That’s a powerful statement! I certainly would never want to call God a liar, would you? But what does this really mean? It means that if we believe what Jesus taught, then we certify that God is truthful, but if we do not believe what Jesus taught, then we are calling God a liar. If we believe what is in the Word, we certify that God is truthful. But if we do not believe what is in the Word, then God is a liar. And what has Jesus taught? Now that would be a list too lengthy for this mini-sermon, so let’s just zero in on a concept that many Christians, sadly, still have trouble accepting: Salvation by Grace! Jesus clearly teaches that the “law was given through Moses; (but) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17-18) Jesus says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16-17), and that: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned“ (John 3:18). The Word teaches that our own righteousness is like “filthy rags” (Is. 64:6), and that “ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). If Salvation were to come from our own works, no one would be able to enter Heaven! But the Word clearly says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-10)
Yet so many Christians still have trouble with this. While most accept the concept of Salvation by Grace in their words, their deeds often show otherwise. Many still cling to a specific denomination, believing that you must belong to that church to be saved. Others cling to matters of doctrine and law, still others to the traditions of men. Now I’m not suggesting that belonging to a church is wrong, nor am I suggesting that we shouldn’t follow doctrines or keep the law. However, we should not be doing things as an avenue towards Salvation! For when we trust in anything except Jesus for our Salvation, then we are, in essence, rejecting the testimony of Jesus that says we are only saved through Grace. And do you remember our text? When we reject the testimony of Jesus, we are calling God a liar! My friend, do you trust Jesus explicitly for your Salvation? Or are you clinging onto some childhood belief? Some church’s doctrine? Trying to work your way to Heaven through good works? Don’t call God a liar, my friend! Put aside all other mindsets and accept Salvation through the merits of Jesus’ blood! Answer the Savior’s Call. To do so, just click on the following link: Click here
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org