The Reason for the hope that I have…

God loves you.

You probably already knew that, or least have heard it.

I mean He loves you.  Really loves you. 

There has been a huge change in me over the years.  Thank God I’m not the person I used to be! 

I used to walk in darkness with no hope.  It was as if everyone had it together but me.  Like I was terribly flawed, alone, and lost in a world of people who seemed to know who they were and where they were going.

I went to church every Sunday, but that was it.  It had no bearing on the rest of my life.

Then I heard about Jesus.  I heard that He loved me and wanted a relationship with me, not for me to follow a bunch of rules.  He wanted my heart and He loved me just as I am – flaws and all.  He wanted me and I didn’t think anyone wanted me.  He wanted me to live an abundant life now and with Him forever in heaven.  All I had to do was accept His invitation and gift of salvation.

Yes, it is just that simple. You may have been asked the question, “Are you saved?” and wondered what that meant. Don’t be offended! It just references whether you have made a decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and live your life for Him. Read on to discover more!

It can all be summed up in what is called the Roman’s Road to Salvation.

Ro. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (ESV)

Every single person who has walked the earth has sinned, and that sin separates us from God.  You could say we have a sin problem in need of fixing.  Being a “good person” doesn’t cut it and won’t get you into heaven. God requires a perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins.

Ro. 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)

The cost of our sin is death, but Jesus, who is perfect and without sin, willingly took the punishment for our sin when He died a criminal’s death on the cross for all sin; past, present, and future.

Ro. 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV)

God loves us so much He wants all His creation to be with Him in heaven for eternity.  Plus, He knew we needed heaven to look forward to.  He knew we would sin and fall short of His requirement of perfection to enter heaven.  So He provided a way for us, a Savior who’s blood washes us as white as snow even while we were turned against Him (Is.1:18).

Ro. 10: 9-10 - 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.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV)

Our turn!  When we acknowledge our sin and our need for a Savior, God welcomes us and our eternal life begins immediately.  Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 

Ro. 10:13 - For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (ESV)

Eureka!  The assurance of salvation!  Praise God!  Salvation is available to all, not just a select group of people.  It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, the color of your skin, your nationality, or what you have done, you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt you are going to be with God in heaven when you die.  There were several years where I didn’t know what would happen to me when I died.  It was a terrible feeling - maybe you can relate!

And now, one of my favorite verses of all –

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Ro. 8:1(ESV)

I am not condemned, I am saved and welcomed with the loving open arms of my Savior!  There was a time I did not know this and knowing this truth continues to fill me with joy and gratitude!!