I was scrolling through Instagram posts on my phone and I read this note that popped up, and in the note the person was trying to make the point that we don’t need to be saved, we don’t need a savior and we don’t need to be fixed because we are not broken.
The person, who was writing was persuasively emphatic and I assume, had some experience with church and obviously not a positive one.
The person declared total independence from God and a sense of self-sufficiency and wholeness that exists exclusively within the human experience. It’s at that point I began to differ in my thoughts and, I began thinking as to how I would respond to that person if I were in a meaningful conversation with them.
Starting with this post and the ones I will write in the near future, I will try my best to respond to that question and ones that generally arise when we discuss salvation in Christ Jesus.
In this post, I briefly write about the 5 reasons why we need salvation.
Note: My general worldview of life and eternity is heavily influenced by the Bible and the life of Jesus.
Eternal Separation from an All-Benevolent God
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23
We were eternally separated from an all loving God without any hope or means of reconciliation. It is only through the cross of Jesus Christ that mankind is restored to a relationship with God.
Without Jesus we would be groping in darkness in an endless pursuit of God only to fall short every single time.
Prisoners of Sin and Death
Without the sacrifice of Christ on the cross over 2000 years ago, man would have been an eternal prisoner of sin and death.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:21, 23
A Depraved Mind and a Dull Conscience
Without a relationship with the divine, the human mind was often leaning towards depravity, where sin had dulled the human conscience. As recorded in Judges, “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
If not for the cross of Jesus Christ, the human mind would have been on a non-altering path leading only to destruction and death.
Purposeless Pursuits in Life
Man is designed for purpose and great work. He gets a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction from knowing that his temporary abode on this planet has meaning. Hence, we have strong urges, passions, ambitions and great dreams of purpose and legacy.
I believe we are all created for a higher purpose, a purpose so sacred that its origins can only be traced back to an eternal God.
However, without the redeeming work of the cross we would not be able access this eternal and benevolent God, and as a result we would not be able to live out this high and sacred purpose.
The question of Eternal Abode
I believe we are eternal beings, although our lives on Earth maybe short but our spirits are eternal.
The question is where will man spend eternity? The scripture makes it clear that there are only two choices, either with God in His presence or separated from God in a place that is not ideal for human habitation even for a moment let alone eternity, a place the scripture calls Gehenna.
Side note: While there is a lot of discussion around hell and heaven in the church, it’s unfortunate that the glorious Gospel is reduced to just about making it to heaven.
The point is not just to escape hell and make it to heaven; it’s about enjoying a wonderful relationship with God Almighty (more about this in a future post).
I hope this post added value and helped answer some of your questions, I would love to hear from you.
brief and precise..!! But it is in the life of taking up the cross(denying self will) “daily” – but most of the churches preaching once saved always saved and not believing “led by Holy Spirit” in day-to-day lives. “Gift of tongues” mostly fake and not the original( from that day of pentecost). I’m from a hindu background and realized today’s christians are in miserable condition because of false prophets. Dear Hari I urge and plead you to minister the believers in the God laid way(narrow & wide gates) because I’ve observed you be a true servant of God. I’ve written this from my own experience from an AG church. Its a horrible experience – they literally ask people to believe actually when they are not healed or not got gift of tongues. Its truly counterfeit and I fear for them being judged for eternal separation from God by our Lord at the day of judgement. Not all at my home are converted but they do not believe the “Christ” seen in the christians, especially in the matters of money. God himself compared him with money – nobody can serve two master… I fear is this how most of people would fall away from the faith as mentioned in the signs of last days. God bless you and encourage you mightily 🙂
Thank you for your comment Madhana. I’m confident, He who started a good work in us is faithful to complete it. Let us continue to pray and trust God.
Thank you for your comment, Madhana. I hear you what you are saying, it is unfortunate that some don’t represent Christ appropriately. However, I’m confident in the grace of our Lord Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit to complete the work He has started in the church globally. I will pray for you and your family. Thank you.