The Price Has Already Been Paid

Too many Christians are trying very hard to become righteous in God's eyes. Many do penance to try and pay for their sins, while the Bible declares that Jesus Christ paid the price for all sins. If he paid the price for all sins, then what price is there left to pay?

There are many sincere Christians who are quick to point out that those of the Jewish faith have rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Christians accept and believe that Jesus Christ was and is the savior. They see those who are still waiting for Messiah as discounting the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

There are also plenty of Christians who say that those of the Muslim faith have rejected the savior for mankind in failing to recognize Jesus Christ as God's Son. They see the Muslim beliefs in this area as erroneous. They choose to believe that the Bible is correct in identifying Jesus as the savior of mankind and the Son of God.

Many Christians believe that the Bible declares that Jesus Christ is the savior for mankind. They believe that it reveals that Jesus accomplished mankind's redemption and salvation. There are many who can point out various scriptures to back up their beliefs.

A very popular verse is that of Jesus Christ himself declaring that he is "the way, the truth and the life," and that "no man comes to the Father but by him." Other verses add to their beliefs, like, "he who has the Son has life, and he has not the Son has not life."

Scores of Christians pride themselves for recognizing the redeemer of mankind. They speak of Christ with great reverence. And, one of their most popular verses, in the Christian Bible, that many have memorized, is John 3:16.

But how many Christians really accept and believe what is written in John 3:16? The verse is so very plain in stating that "whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And yet, countless Christians, by their talk, beliefs and actions, negate those very words.

Preachers today lay out the plan for getting to heaven. It is filled with good works, living a life pleasing to God and not sinning. In short, it is filled with doing many things to obtain eternal life.

As a result of this kind of preaching, many, many Christians are doing everything that they can to try and make it to heaven. In other words, they believe that their good works will pave the way to heaven for them, thus obtaining eternal life by their own works.

But what did John 3:16 say is required? How many good works are listed? What exactly does it say that a person is supposed to do to obtain eternal or everlasting life? It says "believe in him."

The Bible states clearly elsewhere that salvation is a gift. It states that it is not obtained from our works. If it were obtainable from our own works, then why would we have needed a savior? That would then make John 3:16 untrue.

According to the Bible, no amount of works that a person does will make them righteous in God's eyes. The Bible even declares that Abraham believed God concerning the coming savior, and that was counted to him for righteousness, not his works. Again, if you could make yourself righteous, there would be no need for a savior.

Yet so many Christians are trying so very hard to become righteous in God's eyes. Many do penance to try and pay for their sins, while the Bible declares that Jesus Christ paid the price for all sins. If he paid the price for all sins, then what price is there left to pay?

So, am I saying that we don't need to do anything to receive eternal life? No. The Bible says that if we believe in him, in God's Son, we will not perish but have everlasting life. We freely receive all that God has made available through the completed work of Christ by believing in him, by accepting Jesus Christ as lord and savior and believing that God raised him from the dead.

Why then should anyone put themselves under and be subjected to a system of rules and regulations and works upon works that they are told will make them righteous, will put them in favor with God and will ensure them getting to heaven and having eternal life? Why do so many teach that which negates John 3:16?

We don't have to do any good works to try and earn our salvation. We don't have to do any good works to try and earn our righteousness. We don't have to do any good works to try and earn eternal life. The savior, the redeemer of mankind, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished all of that and more for us. We receive it all when we believe in him.

But, in gratitude to our loving and merciful God for having so freely given us so much, we can with love, (not compulsion, not fear of going to hell, not out of guilt and unworthiness) but out of love for God, reach out to others with His love. We can lovingly declare to others the good news, that by grace you are saved.

So rather than be critical of those who are of Jewish beliefs, or Muslim beliefs, or some other belief, we as Christians ought to be more concerned with believing what our Christian Bible says. We ought not to try and redo the work of Jesus Christ by teaching that the way to heaven is through good works. We can all start by accepting what John 3:16 says.

Michael A. Verdicchio offers a FREE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to, "Enriching Your Life Now!" as well as a FREE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ConfidenceAndJoy.com He also offers a FREE series of articles on success at http://www.ReducingStressAtWork.com Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has also been the voice on numerous projects and productions including Mike's Pep Talks!

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