“For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8&9.

God has paid our sin penalty for us and offers that payment to us as a free gift.  The same verse that tells us the penalty of our sin is death, also tells us that God’s provision for our sin penalty is a free gift.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”   Romans 6:23.

• Does this mean that everyone is automatically going to heaven?

Suppose that I went down to a local car dealership and purchased a new vehicle, paid in full, in your name.  To have that car all you would need to do is go to the dealership, identify yourself, claim the vehicle, and drive it away.  

Suppose that instead you went around telling everyone that you had a new car, but you never went to the dealership and claimed it. You would never benefit from my benevolence.  

In like manner you will never benefit from God’s gift until you receive God’s Son,  Jesus Christ,  as your own personal Saviour.

• Salvation is a free gift that is freely given when two conditions are met.  These conditions are faith (rightly placed) and repentance.  

Using an epoxy putty to fix a leak in a galvanized pipe requires the use of two parts.  One part is the hardener and the other the activator.  One is no good without the other.  If just one part is used to patch the pipe, the repair will fail.  It may look good until turning the water back on, but the leak will still be there.  In order for the epoxy patch to work, equal parts of both the activator and the hardener must be mixed together thoroughly and applied.  

In order to receive salvation one must come to God with both faith (rightly placed) and repentance.  One without the other will not do.  

• Faith rightly placed is believing in Christ alone; his death, burial and resurrection, as one’s only hope of salvation.  According to W.E. Vine, faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based upon hearing; “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.  The Philippian jailer in Acts 16:30 cried out; “Sirs!  What must I do to be saved?”   The apostle Paul replied; “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…” To believe is to be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to depend on, to rely on or to trust. 

“Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”  Acts 4:12.

• Repentance is changing the mind.  It is agreeing with God against self.  Repentance is admitting to God one’s sinful condition and need for a Saviour.  It is changing one’s mind about God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and submitting unto Him.

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which we preach;”

“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.” 

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  

“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”  

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.

Will you meet God’s conditions and receive His Son Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation?