There is no greater invitation ever given to mankind than the invitation of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Kings have invited men into palaces. Governments have invited citizens into programs. Businesses invite customers to opportunities. But the greatest invitation of all is God inviting sinful mankind to come to His Son for eternal life.
The Bible plainly teaches that every soul will spend eternity somewhere. Heaven is real, and hell is real. The Lake of Fire is real. Eternity is forever. The Lord God, in His mercy and love, provided the only way for man to be saved from eternal punishment — through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The invitation is open today. The door of grace is still open. But one day it will close. That is why the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Do not wait for tomorrow. Do not delay. Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ while there is still time.
All Have Sinned Before a Holy God
Before a person can understand salvation, he must first understand his condition before God. The Bible teaches that all men are sinners. No person is naturally righteous in the sight of God. Human goodness, religion, morality, kindness, or charitable works cannot remove sin.
The Word of God says in Romans 3:10:
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Again, Romans 3:23 declares:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Every person has lied, sinned, disobeyed God, or fallen short of His perfect holiness. Sin is not only outward wrongdoing. Sin also includes the sinful thoughts, pride, rebellion, lust, hatred, unbelief, and wickedness found in the heart of man.
God is holy and pure. Heaven is holy. Because of this, sinful man cannot save himself by his own effort. No church membership can wash away sin. No baptism can remove guilt. No amount of money can purchase eternal life.
The problem of sin is universal. Rich and poor alike are sinners. Educated and uneducated alike are sinners. Religious and nonreligious alike are sinners. All stand guilty before the righteous judgment of God.
The Penalty of Sin Is Eternal Death
Sin carries a terrible consequence. The Bible says in Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
A wage is something earned. Because of sin, mankind has earned death. This death is more than physical death. It also speaks of eternal separation from God.
The Bible teaches that man is composed of body, soul, and spirit.
- The body returns to the earth when a person dies.
- The spirit returns to God who gave it.
- The soul faces God in judgment.
The first death occurs when the body separates from the soul and spirit. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says:
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
Hebrews 9:27 further declares:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
After death comes judgment. Every soul will stand before God. Those whose sins remain unforgiven will face eternal punishment.
The Bible describes the final judgment in Revelation 20:14-15:
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
The second death refers to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire forever. This punishment is not temporary. It is eternal.
Revelation 21:8 warns:
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Hell is real. The Lake of Fire is real. God does not desire that people perish, but He is also a righteous Judge. Sin must be punished.
God Provided Salvation Through the Lord Jesus Christ
Though mankind is sinful and deserving of judgment, God demonstrated great love toward sinners. He sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners.
John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless and holy life. He willingly died on the cross for our sins. His precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. He was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
The Bible says in Romans 5:8:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus Christ took upon Himself the punishment that sinners deserved. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, salvation is now offered freely to all who believe.
Acts 4:12 plainly declares:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
There is only one Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ. Not religion. Not tradition. Not human effort. Only Jesus Christ can save the soul from eternal punishment.
Romans 10:9 says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
And Romans 10:13 gives this wonderful promise:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Notice the word “whosoever.” That means anyone can come to Christ. No matter your past. No matter your sins. No matter your failures. The Lord Jesus Christ is able to save all who come to Him by faith.
How to Receive the Lord Jesus Christ
Salvation is a free gift, but a person must personally receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. The Bible teaches several important truths:
- Admit that you are a sinner before God.
- Repent and turn from sin.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.
- Receive Him as your Lord and Savior.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
You cannot save yourself through your own goodness. Salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
If you are ready to trust Christ, you may pray sincerely from your heart. The prayer itself does not save — the Lord Jesus Christ saves. But prayer is calling upon Him in faith.
A Simple Sinner’s Prayer
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again. I now receive You into my heart as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
If you sincerely trusted the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says you are saved. Call upon Him now while there is still time.
The Assurance of Salvation
God does not want believers to live in uncertainty. The Bible gives assurance to those who truly believe in Christ.
John 1:12 says:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
When you receive Christ, you become a child of God.
Again, Jesus promised in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Notice the words “everlasting life.” Eternal life is forever. The believer has passed from condemnation unto life through the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 5:24 further says:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
What a wonderful promise from the Word of God. Those who trust Christ are forgiven, redeemed, and saved from the second death.
Come to Christ Today
Life is uncertain. Death can come suddenly. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. That is why the Bible repeatedly calls sinners to come to God today.
Isaiah 55:6 says:
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
The Lord Jesus Christ lovingly invites sinners to come unto Him. He is merciful. He is compassionate. He is willing to save.
Jesus said in John 6:37:
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Do not reject the invitation of salvation. Do not harden your heart. Do not trust in religion, self-righteousness, or worldly pleasures. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can save your soul.
One day every person will stand before God. The question is not whether you are religious. The question is this:
Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?
If not, come to Him today. Call upon Him now. Trust in His blood for the forgiveness of sins. Believe the gospel. Receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.
The invitation still stands:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13
Be saved today through the Lord Jesus Christ and escape the eternal torments of the Lake of Fire. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation.
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