Many people are not aware that there is a need for salvation, or "being saved." It is assumed that as long as you try to be a good person, that is all God requires for heaven. It is such a common belief, that every religion in the world is based on that principle: salvation by works.

The only religion that teaches differently is Christianity. Christianity teaches something different, because the Bible teaches something different. The Bible teaches that we need salvation, because we cannot save ourselves. Since God expects perfection from us (Leviticus 19:2), anything less, which is sin, must be punished. And the punishment for any and all sin is being separated from God forever after we die (hell).

That's what we deserve, but it is not what we receive. God has figured out a way to spend forever with us (heaven) and be sure that sin is punished at the same time.

The Bible clearly teaches that heaven is a gift that comes through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God sent Jesus, who is the Second Person of the Trinity, to be a fellow human being. He was able to live a perfect life in our place, and die an innocent death as the payment for the sins of the whole world.

It's a pretty neat arrangement. God loves us so much that He's willing to take the punishment of our sin on Himself so that we could be with Him forever.

That's all it takes... "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" Acts 16:31.

Lutheran Christians believe that the Bible is God's Word. By that, we mean that every word contained in the Bible (Scripture) was intended to be there by God. He used humans beings to write the words, and used their individual style of writing, but the words are God's Words. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed [inspired] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Since God provided the words included in Scripture, we can also believe that there are no errors or contradictions in Scripture. We believe and teach that the Bible is inspired and inerrant.

The reason the Bible was given to us from God was to share with us the wonderful message of His grace and forgiveness in Jesus. Everything in Scripture points us to Jesus and the forgiveness He earned on the cross for each of us.

The Bible is the way God touches our hearts and creates faith (if we don't trust Jesus yet), and strengthens faith (if we do trust in Him). So go ahead, read God's Word and let Him speak to your heart.

Would you like a free copy of the New Testament of the Bible? We would be glad to send one to you if you would provide your name and address in an e-mail . There is no obligation and no one will call. We just want you to read the Bible and get to know Jesus as your personal Savior.

More Bible Tools
Daily Time with God - Devotions
A Flash movie about Jesus
A Flash movie called Interview With God
A Flash movie called Pathways to Peace
Let’s meet on the Front Porch
More about Holy Cross Ministries
See our Ministry In Photos
How to Join
More about Lutherans
How to Share Your Faith with others
 

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