Do you Know Your Saviour?

This was written by Diven Laxman, a friend who is a pastor in East Africa. I got to know him many years ago when he came for one of the first few G12 conferences and was attached to us at the then Zone A (under Pastor Yo) for 6 months I think. I thought it was very insightful and a reminder to check our lives and reflect on how we are living for God. May your hearts be convicted by this.

The wisdom of the world would have us to believe that all the religions of the world are basically the same, that all roads lead to heaven, regardless of what or whom we believe in. But is this true?

Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Acts 4:12 says Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Today, my friends, I must be very blunt. If you do not have Jesus in your heart, you cannot be saved! Without Jesus, there is no Salvation. Period. I'm sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you, and today, I am committed to telling you that truth.

But, you say, Im already a Christian! I was raised in a Christian home. We aren't Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu and we go to church on Easter and Christmas, therefore we are Christians!

Did you know the Bible doesn't say anywhere! that you can earn Heaven and eternal life by calling yourself a Christian?

Okay, you answer, but I went to Christian parochial school. I attended Catechism classes (or Sabbath school or Sunday school classes) all my life. I wear a cross (or a St. Christopher) around my neck!

Thats cool, but did you know the Bible doesnt say that you get to go to Heaven and have eternal life by going to church, Catechism, Sabbath or Sunday school classes or by wearing a cross or St. Christopher around your neck?

Well . . . I read the bible and I pray everyday!

Im really glad you do! And since you do, you will already know that the Bible doesnt say you can get to Heaven and have eternal life through prayer and Bible study alone!

Okay. But I love God!

Thats terrific. But did you know that the 19 terrorists who flew the airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, also said they loved God?

Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anything about getting to Heaven and obtaining eternal life through your love for God alone?

But someone told me once that if I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, I can go to Heaven and have eternal life.

May I again be blunt? The Bible says that even DEMONS believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God (James 2:19), and that SATAN himself believes Jesus is the Son of God! The Bible says that Jesus has prepared an eternal lake of fire for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41)! Their belief in Jesus certainly isnt going to bring them eternal life in Heaven!

But I have kept all of the Ten Commandments my entire life!

That's great! But did you know the Bible doesnt say that keeping the Ten Commandments will earn you eternal life? My friends, it simply isnt in the Book!

Lets consider the story of Nicodemus for a moment. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a strict observer of the law. He memorized the Scripture, sang the Scripture and taught from the Word of God in the Synagogue every Sabbath. One would have thought that when Nicodemus came to Jesus, the Lord would have patted him on the back and said, Well done, Nick! Heaven awaits you!

But that isn't what the Lord said to Nicodemus at all. Instead, He tells Nicodemus that unless he is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

He told Nicodemus, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN (John 3:3). What does this mean to you? It means you must be born again to go to heaven and have eternal life!

So what does it mean to be born again?

It means that you must give Jesus all of your heart and all of your life. Its that simple! If you have never done so, then you are not saved. (Again, Im sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you.)

From the Genesis 1:1 to the maps at the back of the Book, the Word of God never changes! You must give God all of your heart and all of your life. This means Jesus must be the Lord of your life. It means that you make Him your Boss! If you have never made Him Boss of your life, then you are not saved. It is that simple.

But I prayed that Salvation prayer at a Billy Graham Crusade (or a Harvest Crusade)! I answered an altar call at my church once!

Thats great! But did your life follow the prayer?

Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anywhere that praying a prayer will get you to Heaven?

Sure, the prayer is important, but did you give Him all of your heart and all of your life when you prayed the prayer? Did you make Him Boss of your life? Or was it just some sort of fire insurance that gave you confidence to live your life as you pleased without the fear of going to hell?

Can I tell you something? It simply doesn't work that way. It is an ALL or NOTHING relationship with God. Either you give Him all of you heart and all of your life, and you make Him Boss over your life, or you're NOT saved! (And somebody must love you enough to tell you the truth.)

My friends, now is the time to check up on yourselves! Today is YOUR day of Salvation. In just a moment, Im going to give you the opportunity to become right with God, to give Him all of your heart and all of your life, and to obtain the assurance of life eternal in Heaven.

And just who should respond to this call?

Let me answer by asking you some questions:

Have you ever given Jesus all of your heart and all of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!

Have you ever made Jesus the Boss of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!

Have you been living your life for yourself and not for Jesus? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!

Have you been running from God instead of to God? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!

Do you have Jesus in your head instead of your heart? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!