The answer may surprise you! God want you to have salvation. His grace is for everyone. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11. The grace of God came to all through Jesus His Son. He is the savior of all the world. When Peter and John were talking to the Jewish court they said concerning Jesus, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Yes God wants you to have salvation so much that He gave His Son as the sacrifice for your sins.
Salvation isn’t automatic in order for you to have salvation you must respond to the truth. There were people who heard the truth (recorded in Acts chapter 2). The apostles were preaching about the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. Some of these people believed what they heard. They responded by asking, “Men and Brethren, What shall we do?” Acts 2:37b. They were told to Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38). Some of the people there gladly received the word and were baptized. There were some who did not gladly received the word! Jesus also died for these. They did not received salvation because it isn’t automatic even though Jesus died for them. Remember God wants you to have salvation. Paul relates that message to us. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
Christians want you to have salvation. The Christians living in Jerusalem rejoiced when they knew that God had granted salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (Acts 11:18). There is also great rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7. Christians and the heavenly beings desire all to have salvation. We are followers of God. And whatever God desires that is our desire. We pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” All Christians feel about others as Paul felt about the Jewish people. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).
So you have God, Christians, Heavenly Beings all wanting you to have salvation!
You know that Jesus wants you to have salvation! He is the one who came from heaven and died on the cross for the remission of your sins. He did something that no other man has ever done or will ever do or can do for you! He died for the sins of all men. You are included in that. He died because he loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). If you love yourself then you will obey Jesus and received that grace that brings salvation to all men!
God made a plan to save you. Jesus fulfilled that plan for you. Christians are praying for you. Heavenly beings are waiting to rejoice when you have salvation.
On the other side there is one who does not want you to have salvation – the devil! He doesn’t want anyone to have salvation by the grace of God. He knows his destiny is to be in hell forever. He wants you there with him.
On the one side is the evil one on the other side is the righteous ones. You are the deciding person. It is your choice. Will you choose salvation in heaven away from the devil and torment or eternity in hell? Your decision at the end of your life will be final.
I beg you to choose salvation today!
Vernon Curry
Highland Drive church of Christ
Poplar Bluff, MO