The Coronavirus has really shaken us. Already over a million people have been infected with close on one hundred thousand deaths. This is serious. It’s a crisis. People are afraid. And in times of crisis like this, it’s only natural for our minds to turn to the big-picture and the issues of meaning and purpose – and eternity.
So, it’s not surprising that people are considering their eternal destiny and asking what they must do to be saved. It’s an important question. And the answer could bring you peace and give you hope and change your life – now and forever. So, what exactly must I do to be saved, and receive eternal life?
Well, to find the answer we’ve got to go all the way back to another crisis, the universal crisis, the crisis behind all crises. It’s a cosmic crisis that involves a conflict between right and wrong, between light and darkness, between God and a rebel angel, Lucifer. Surprisingly, this crisis, this war, started in heaven of all places. You can read all about in the Bible. Notice what it says here in Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV)
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angles fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Lucifer, who became Satan through pride and jealousy, wanted to take the place of God. He wanted to take over. So, he started a rebellion, a war in heaven. The Universal War. But Satan lost the battle against God, and he and his army of rebel angels were cast to this world. And so, planet earth became the arena of the Universal War, the war between good and evil, God and Satan.
Now God had created a perfect world for our first parents Adam and Eve. But Satan deceived them into joining his rebellion against God. Sin entered the world. And it seemed that Satan had won the battle for Planet Earth in the great Universal War. Now all humanity is involved in this great conflict, this Universal War between God and Satan, between good and evil.
Yes, we’re all involved, even you and me. And as we know in our heart of hearts, we’ve all sinned and joined the rebellion against God. Listen to what it says in the Bible book Romans 3:23.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
In this Universal War, the war between good and evil, between God and Satan, the entire human race has sinned and rebelled against God. Sin, rebellion, separates us from God and life. Here’s what the Bible says in Isaiah 59:1,2.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you.”
Men and women were made for fellowship with God, to be in harmony with their Maker. When humans sinned, they turned away from God, they rejected God, they rebelled against God. And there are consequences associated with rebelling against God. Listen to what the Bible says in Romans 6:23.
“For the wages of sin is death.”
So, because we’ve all sinned and rebelled against God, we’re doomed. But there’s Good News. In this Universal War between God and Satan, God has a solution. God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins, to die in our place. He is our substitute. He died in our place.
On a hill called Golgotha the critical battle in the great Universal War took place. And when Jesus died on the cross it appeared that Satan had defeated God and won the war. All the forces of the evil one watched with glee as Jesus breathed His last. They were even more delighted when His limp, lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb.
But then, as the light broke on the resurrection morning, Jesus overcame death and emerged victorious from the grave. He’s our Saviour. And if we accept Him, and believe in Him, our sins are forgiven, and we have eternal life. Listen to what the Bible says in John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
And so, because Jesus has paid the penalty for your sins, whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you’ve done, your guilt can be healed and your sins forgiven. Yes, the war that began in heaven is still going on in the universe and in our hearts. We’re all involved in this continuing Universal War.
Bad things happen. And yes, we fail and get discouraged and depressed. But no matter how long your guilt and sin has haunted you, tortured you, crushed you – you can take it to Jesus, just now – and come away free and assured of forgiveness.
So, what must I do to be saved?
Admit I’m a sinner
Recognise that I need a Saviour
Believe in Jesus and accept Him as my Saviour
Repent and Confess my sins
Experience the New Birth
And here’s the Good News. The great crisis, the Universal War, the war between good and evil, between God and Satan, is just about over. The same Jesus who died on the cross, is soon to return as King of Kings and Lord or Lords. The great controversy between good and evil will be over forever. Sin and evil will be destroyed. And this earth will be restored to its original perfect condition. Here’s what the Bible says in Revelation 21:1-4.
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
That’s the kind of world I’m looking forward to. How about you? If the idea of living in a world of perfect peace and harmony appeals to you, and if you would like to find out more about accepting Jesus as your Saviour, then I’d like to recommend the free gift we have for you, it’s the small and easy to ready book, Steps to Christ.
