My name is Jeff, and I’m a native Texan. I’m also an independent, fundamental, temperamental, KJV readin’, truth speakin’, chicken eatin’ Baptist and make no apologies about it. Most of my entries here will probably be about the two subjects they say you shouldn’t talk about, religion and politics. I understand that not everyone will agree with me, but that’s ok for the most part. The only thing in this life that is essential to get right is salvation. If you’re right about that we’ll have eternity to talk about our differences on the other things (except that we’ll no longer have any differences by then).
Salvation isn’t some system of rules where you try to make your good deeds outweigh your bad ones. It isn’t some mystical experience you have after doing some kind of ritual or using some mind-altering substance. It isn’t even about praying, going to church, getting baptized, receiving communion, knocking on doors, handing out literature, self-deprivation, or any of the other things people do in order to try to win God’s favor. Salvation is all about the finished work of Jesus Christ, who never sinned, but took the penalty for everyone else’s sins upon Himself and paid the penalty for us by dying in our place. Three days later He rose from the dead, and is alive forevermore. He has gone to prepare a place for those who accept the gift of salvation He bought for us with His own blood. Will you let Him prepare a place for you? In chapter 3 of the book of John, a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus came to Jesus, asking about salvation. Jesus didn’t tell him to pray or any of those other things listed above. He said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe that Jesus paid your penalty for you, because there is no way you can ever pay it yourself. Anything you do to serve Him is your response to the love He showed for you, but has nothing to do with saving your soul.
