So What Is Salvation Really? by J.Hageman

GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN, RIGHT?

We have this thing we do as humans. We think we can be good enough, work hard enough, give enough money or time and by 'doing we become good people... and good people go to

heaven, right? We do good then good things happen to us, we work hard then we get the promotion, we give money to that cause then people think we're compassionate and we get brownie points when we kick the bucket.

So, slight problem. No matter how good we try to be we can never be without sin. Have you ever lied? Had a bad thought about someone? Disobeyed your parents? Looked lustfully at someone? Doesn't matter how big or small, significant or insignificant your sin is, it's still sin and it's still there in your heart. According to God, because of sin we deserve death. Plain and simple. Actually, because of sin we are

already dead and objects of God's wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Any speck of sin cannot be in the presence of a most Holy God. So it's all hopeless, really.

"BUT THEN JESUS CHRIST WHO IS GOD CAME. JESUS CHRIST BECAME OUR SALVATION."

Christ took the punishment for our sin.

He died, conquered death and rose again so we could have life.

And it doesn't make sense, does it?

Why would God do that?

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we are dead in transgressions - It is by grace you have been saved"  - Ephesians 2: 4-5

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through your faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" -

Ephesians 2: 8-9

Salvation is a gift - It's the deliverance from sin. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  - Romans 10:9