One of the most frequently quoted Bible verses is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Greek word for “perish” is apollumi, and it refers to the loss of well-being in the next life (the hereafter.) The words “eternal life” (aiōnion) refer to the condition of joy and well-being in the life in Heaven which is endless in terms of time as we understand time in this life.
The concern that someone might perish is because there is a spiritual law in the universe that separates people from God when they sin. Sin has a corrupting, corrosive effect on people, and places us at enmity with our Creator (the Apostle Paul notes: “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God . . .” Romans 8:7.) Sin also keeps us from being able to approach God (as if we, governed by our sinful nature, really wanted to), though the Holy Spirit does call people to repentance. Many people are oblivious to sin in their life. But once people understand the Law (e.g., the Ten Commandments and God’s righteousness), we see how far we fall short. Martin Luther said that an unregenerate person could not even eat without sinning, because he did so unthankfully.
The stain and consequences of sin can only be removed by the death of an innocent life (another spiritual law), but that innocent life must be perfect in and of itself, so sacrificial animals cannot suffice because they are part and parcel to the sinful world in which we live. Because of this, God sent His Son to us. Because Jesus died in our place and because He rose again, His blood is able to wash away our sins. Again, Paul writes: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13. There are many complicated concepts and themes here which I’ll address one by one here or elsewhere in my blog over time.
Those of us who refuse the love of God in Christ are left with only one alternative (the location commonly thought to be Hell, but more accurately, a future locale called the “Lake of Fire” as mentioned in Revelation 20:14.) God did not create this horrible place for people, but rather for Satan and his minions. God does not “send” us to Hell. Where we spend eternity is up to us based on whether we accept God’s love. Think of it this way, I cannot force a drowning man to accept the life preserver that I throw him, and if he refuses it, then he will drown in spite of my best efforts to save him. Nor is there any good thing that we can do to “earn” our place in Heaven.
Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ organized the “plan of salvation” into four simple principles. They are as follows:
- God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life (John 3:16; 10:10.)
2. Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life (Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3– 6; John 14:6).
4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives (John 1:12; 3:1 – 8; Eph. 2:8 – 9; Rev. 3:20).
At this point, you should consider your sins (e.g., people you’ve hurt, laws you may have broken, things you perhaps should have done to help someone but which you did not do. If you are having trouble here, reading the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17 near the front of your Bible should clue you in and help you focus.) In prayer, tell God you know that you are a sinner and that you are sorry for sinning. Acknowledge that you are lost and cannot make it on your own. If you believe that Jesus died for you, then tell this to God and ask God to forgive you for Jesus’ sake, while asking Jesus to come into your life, and he will do so (Revelation 3:20.) Some people find this to be a cleansing sort of experience complete with tears of joy, but do not be concerned if you do not have an emotional experience, because having such a subjective experience is not what we base our faith on. We base our faith on the Word of God (the Bible) that assures us God will do exactly what He promises.
Completing Step 4 is not the end of your journey back to God, but rather it is the first step. Look for a church near where you live that believes firmly in God’s Word and God’s promises. Sadly, not every church does. As you search, pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to just the right church for you. If you live near a university, you might call their switchboard and ask for student organizations such as Cru or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA.) Not only will you get valuable leads into some of the more authentic and faithful churches in your area, but you’ll also meet many new Christian brothers and sisters. If you can find a Youth for Christ chapter or one representing The Navigators near where you live, you will most likely get sound advice from them. I personally attend a Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), but there are many excellent churches in other denominations such as Baptists, Presbyterians, Calvary Chapels, churches that are typically “Bible Fellowship” sorts of churches, and so on. You may also contact me through the comments section of this post if you have any questions while you search.
The four steps to growing as a Christian first of all include prayer. How can you have a healthy relationship on earth with a significant other if you are not talking to that person? God wants you to come to him with your hopes, your dreams, your disappointments, your very sins. Secondly, you need to spend time in the Word (the Bible.) Today, many Christians are not doing this. Even now, the Q Conspiracy is infecting evangelicals across the the U.S. because they are not sufficently grounded in God’s Word to discern the truth. So, it’s important to read your Bible regularly. Find an easy translation, such as the New International Version or the American Standard Version. Thirdly, you need to spend time with other Christians. These people will become increasingly important to you. They want to lift you up in your spirit, not shoot you up with drugs or get you wasted.
Lastly, find as I mentioned above, find a church to fellowship and worship in. Avoid churches that get involved with politics (either left or right) or other issues that separate Christians rather than unite them.
Feature photo credit: Fizkes (Shutterstock.)
