The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir

Salvation

Two weeks ago I wrote about repentance. But the central issue is salvation. Repentance is important for the future of Anguilla but what is important to the future of us all is salvation. If I were to tell you that of the two chairs in front of you one would support your weight and one would collapse under you, you may well argue with me.You may contend that both would support you or that both may collapse or even that I had it wrong about which one would collapse.

However two things are true. One, if I have the knowledge of a danger I also have the obligation to tell you about it.Two, you will never know what is true until you try the chairs. Once you have made your decision you have committed yourself.This is true of when you face your eternal future so please bear with me while I tell you a little more.

What follows is not what I say. It is what God says. More accurately, it is my representation of what God says. If I am correct in what I say about God you should listen carefully. God says that he created everything. He did not ask you or me our opinion. He says that he is sovereign. This means he can do just what he likes and set standards just as he wishes. We are in no position to object. After he created mankind, man promptly did his own thing and set out in opposition to God. This is pride and unbelief. It is in total opposition to God and God says that the penalty for this is death and separation from God. Because God created man, man has a longing to be right with God. And God longs for man to be right with him, but it must be on God’s terms.Try as he might mankind cannot by himself get right with God. Often we try to compensate for this separation by chasing after money, big houses, cars; or do you try alcohol or drugs? Or are you unsettled and unhappy? Are you afraid of death? Remember, God sets the standards. He is by deﬁnition perfect. This is the story in the Old Testament in the Bible. Several other things are also said. God says that despite man’s inability to get right with God, God himself will provide the solution.

The solution is given in the New Testament in the Bible. Now the penalty for sin (opposition to God) is death. Death is death of the bodies that we now inhabit. None of us can avoid this. There is also a second death and this is an eternal separation from God.This is hell. It is pictured in several ways. One is great sorrow and anguish. Another is a lake of ﬁre. There is a solution. Because God loves us he tries ﬁrst to draw us to himself by his kindness. He also provided someone to die the second death in our place. This is someone who is perfect and without sin and as a consequence is able to pay the price for everyone.This is his son Jesus. Now there is one God. I am unable to explain how he can be three persons also. God says that it is so. When you believe that Jesus is the son of God, that you have offended God, that Jesus by his death has paid the price for your sin and you want to turn away from your sin and you invite Jesus into your life to take control, you will be saved in that instant. Only this will save you, nothing else.The result is an eternity with God: no more sorrow or pain or poverty in that eternity. In addition God sends his Spirit who is a person to live in you. His job is to draw and guide you ever closer to God. Remember, because God has all power he is able to forgive you whatever you have done; and he is able to and will keep you safe forever. You will have made your decision. Now I have told you which chair to choose - which one will you choose?
Contact me if you wish.

Bill Grandﬁeld

(bill grandﬁeld@yahoo.com)

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News