Discover God's plan of Salvation
At First Baptist Church Poteet, we believe understanding God's way of salvation is the most crucial journey one can embark on. This page will guide you through the biblical truth of how to find forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We invite all who have ears to hear to explore this life-altering message anchored in God's Word, The Bible. Learn more about our beliefs on our Our Beliefs page.
The Holiness of God and the reality of Sin
God is perfectly holy, and because of His holiness, He hates sin. Every person, by nature and by choice, is a sinner, separated from God. This separation means that God, in His perfect justice, must punish sin in order to bring His people back to Himself. His holiness demands it. This is a sobering truth that sets the stage for rightly understanding the incredible, Amazing Grace of God.
God Is Holy, Holy, Holy
The Majesty of God in Scripture
Throughout the Bible, various passages highlight the holiness and majesty of God, each illustrating His unparalleled greatness. In Exodus 15:11, the Israelites sing praises after their deliverance from Egypt, declaring, "Who among the gods is like You, O Lord? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" This verse emphasizes not only God’s unique holiness but also His power in performing miracles. Similarly, Isaiah 6:3 reveals a vision of the heavenly realm, where seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory!" This threefold declaration signifies the utmost holiness of God and sets the tone for our understanding of His divine nature. Lastly, in Revelation 15:4, the question arises, "Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed." This underscores the universal acknowledgment of God’s holiness and righteousness, projecting a future where all will recognize His sovereignty. Together, these verses encapsulate the essence of God’s holiness and His call for worship, inviting believers to reflect on His glory and majesty in their lives.
Because God is Holy, He Hates Sin
In Psalm 5:4-5, it is stated, "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers." This passage clearly shows that God holds a strong stance against wickedness and sin.
Similarly, Psalm 11:5 reinforces this theme by stating, "The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence." Here, we see that God not only examines the hearts of the righteous but also detests those who embrace violence and wrongdoing.
Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness...." This illustrates that God loves the righteousness but here again hates wickedness.
Proverbs adds further wisdom on this topic. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,...." Proverbs 16:5 continues this thread by declaring, "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished." Here, the text warns against pride and arrogance, indicating that sin will not go unpunished.
Finally, Proverbs 17:15 summarizes God’s perspective on justice: "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike, an abomination to the Lord." This verse sheds light on the stark contrast between just and unjust behaviors, reinforcing the idea that a Holy and just God holds will not clear the guilty and become an abomination to Himself
Through these verses, we are reminded that righteousness is essential for communing with a Holy God.
Sinners are Separated from God Because of Their Sin
Sin creates a great chasm between humanity and God. In Isaiah 59:1-2 it is emphasized that "the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." This passage clearly illustrates how our actions can lead to a spiritual separation from the Divine. Furthermore, Isaiah 64:6-7 supports this notion, stating that all our righteousness is as filthy rags, and that our iniquities have led us astray. This reflects a profound truth about our flawed nature.
In Habakkuk 1:13, the prophet expresses God's inability to look upon sin favorably, stating "thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…" Additionally, the Apostle Paul underscores the universality of sin in Romans 3:10, where he states, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." This assertion applies to everyone, emphasizing that all have fallen short of God’s glory.
Romans 3:23 reiterates this point: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Similarly, Romans 5:12 explains that sin entered into the world through one man, Adam, and that death spread to all because all have sinned. This foundational concept reveals how sin corrupts and separates us from our Creator.
Furthermore, in Romans 6:23, we learn about the consequences of this separation: "For the wages of sin is death;..." This passage conveys the dire consequences of sin against God.
God Must Punish Sin
Throughout the Bible, the concept of sin and its consequences is a significant theme. The Bible addresses sin and the fate that befalls those who fail to adhere to God's commands.
The Command and the Consequence
In Genesis 2:16-17, God gives Adam a clear command: "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This verse establishes not only the existence of sin but also its serious consequences—spiritual and physical death stemming from disobedience to God's word.
The Justice of God
Isaiah 13:11 reinforces this theme by stating, "And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity..." Here, God emphasizes His role as the ultimate judge who will bring justice to the wicked. His punishment is not arbitrary but a necessary response to humanities breaking of His Holy Law.
The Wages of Sin
In the New Testament, Romans 6:23 clearly affirms the dire outcome of sin: "For the wages of sin is death;..." This passage highlights that all sin leads to death and the underlying reality is that sin carries a price that must be dealt with.
Warning Against Immorality
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 provides a sobering reminder: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." This passage serves as a stark warning against various forms of sin, driving home the point that those who engage in such behaviors will face God’s judgment.
The Ultimate Judgment
In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Paul writes about the punishment that awaits those who do not obey the gospel: "...the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ..." This is a vivid description of the consequences awaiting unrepentant sinners at the end times, reinforcing the seriousness of obeying God's commands.
Finality of Judgment
Finally, Revelation 21:8 concludes this exploration with a stark reality: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." This passage serves as a final warning that all who persist in their sinful ways, without seeking forgiveness, will face the full fury of God's wrath and eternal separation from the love of God.
Conclusion
In summary, the Scripture consistently emphasizes that God will punish sin. From the initial disobedience in the Garden of Eden to the final judgment described in Revelation, the message is clear: sin has consequences and left to ourselves we have an inescapable problem.
The Way of Escape – Sinners may be Forgiven through Jesus Christ Alone
Jesus is the way of escape for all sinners, offering a path to forgiveness through Him alone. This profound truth is revealed throughout the scriptures, particularly brought into more light in the New Testament. In Matthew 1:21, we see the virgin give birth to the prophesied Child in Isaiah 7:14, the One whom will save His people from their sins. John 3:17-18 emphasizes that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it, providing assurance that belief in Him leads to eternal life. Further, in John 5:24, Jesus promises that those who hear His words and believe in Him will not face judgment but will have crossed over from death to life. The assurance continues in John 6:44-47, where He declares the necessity of the Father's drawing the sinner, in coming to Him, reaffirming that faith in Christ is the only way to salvation. Jesus himself tells us "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 14:6 speaks directly to Jesus' identity, stating unequivocally that He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," indicating that no one can reach the Father except through Him. Moreover, Acts 4:12 boldly proclaims that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, reinforcing the exclusivity of Jesus as the Savior. Finally, Acts 13:38-39 articulates the message of forgiveness and freedom from sin through faith in Jesus, highlighting that all who believe are justified. Remember that Jesus offers the only way of escaping the wrath to come and promises forgiveness for all who turn to Him.
Sinners are commanded to repent and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
In the Scriptures, sinners are commanded to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is emphasized in Luke 13:3, where Jesus tells us, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." This verse highlights the necessity of repentance as a turning away from sin and toward God. Additionally, Acts 3:19 urges us, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," emphasizing the transformational power of God's effectual saving grace resulting in true repentance. Further, in Acts 8:22, believers are instructed to "repent of this thy wickedness," indicating that a sincere change of heart is vital as evidence of true salvation. Furthermore, Acts 17:30 states, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent," reinforcing that everyone is called to this change of heart and mind.
In conjunction with repentance, we are called to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:14-15, says, "...That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." These verses underscore that faith in Jesus brings the promise of eternal life. John 3:36 states, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," pointing to the critical importance of believing upon Jesus for our salvation. Moreover, Romans 10:9 proclaims, "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," affirming that belief must be accompanied by confession that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus invites in order to give you rest. In Matthew 11:28-30, He promises, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This invitation reassures us that rest from our burden of trying to earn God's favor. Jesus offers relief and rest from the burden of our inability to keep God's Holy Law. Since He has kept the law for us. Furthermore, we are compelled to call upon His name for salvation. Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This passage encapsulates the hope and necessity of reaching out to Jesus, reminding us that salvation is open to all who will seek Him.