Author: John H. Griffith
Not so long ago a man was dying. Though a church member, he had never experienced a change of heart and had not been taught the absolute need of repenting for his sins. He became conscious of the fact that he had been deceived and was not right before God.
It is surprising indeed, that church-going people of the various denominations often know little of what genuine salvation really means. Yet this is the exact condition of many who do not read or study the Bible.
Due to the lack of proper instruction, and that one seldom hears or reads that all are guilty sinners in need of the pardoning grace of God, the world is in darkness concerning the way of real salvation. Reforming, making new resolutions, or joining church, is not salvation at all. These possess no power to truly transform the soul and change a person’s heart. And though one should live the highest standard of moral life possible, it cannot save without true repentance.
The Lord God commands all men everywhere to repent. To admit no need of such contrition, is to claim self-righteousness. And the Lord classes such a life low and contemptible, or as “filthy rags” in His sight.
When we are convinced and convicted of sin, godly sorrow enters the heart. The Apostle Paul declares that “godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation” (II Cor. 7:10), and also states that there can positively be no pardon without such repentance.
Professors of religion who think that salvation is doing social and charitable work in a church, without ever having been converted or born again, are mistaken. A sad picture is recorded of this in Luke, chapter thirteen. Jesus speaks of a certain class of people who will be denied admittance into heaven because they failed to meet the conditions of salvation required by God.
Natural sorrow is the result of an offence toward a friend, and one feels miserable and mean until they seek forgiveness. When one becomes serious minded, penitent, and meets the conditions of genuine salvation, the power of God automatically responds in supernatural power. Then the pardoned soul undergoes a transformation, or a change of heart and life.
Being made a new creature, or delivered from sin to a life of righteousness in Christ Jesus, is to be born again. This is an act which records your name in the Book of Life. The burden of sin is removed from your heart and a real experience of joy, peace, and happiness comes in. This is a new life no one can ever hope to realize until he learns and meets the conditions for genuine salvation.
Banish the idea from your mind that you have been so bad and sinful that the Lord does not consider you worthy of a place in His kingdom, for He will gladly grant salvation when you make your decision to forsake evil and follow Him.
If you are unsaved, this important message is personally for you. It is no myth or fabled story. It is no theory of man’s mind, but sound Bible doctrine as revealed in the gospel of Christ our Lord. You positively cannot escape the wrath of God if you reject Jesus and neglect His great salvation.
Get serious, friend. Confess your sins to God through Jesus Christ, and seek salvation. It’s too late for forgiveness when death overtakes you.
