“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12)

The wages of sin and gift of life

Until sin entered the world through Adam’s sin people lived forever. But, sin changed everything because it brought death into the world for all humanity. The Bible calls death “the wages of sin”. But, the good news is that God brought the wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord..” (Rom. 6:23 NIV)

God’s gracious gift of life

“And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. (Rom. 5:16-18 NLT)

Therefore…

 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24 NLT)

Quote:

“You know, eternal life does not start when we go to heaven. It starts the moment you reach out to Jesus. He never turns His back on anyone. And He is waiting for you.”  - Corrie Ten Boom

“And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” (1 Peter 1:5 NLT)

God’s garrison for you

The word “protect” in the above passage, means garrison, which is a military term which refers to sending soldiers into a town to protect it. They remain there to guard it. God protects you in a similar manner, against the attacks of the enemy, as you trust in Him through faith. It’s like having a Devine security system in place.

God guards the steps of His faithful ones

“He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.” (1 Sam. 2:9)

“I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.” (Jer. 23:4)

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

Therefore… 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

Quote:

“When you find yourself in a situation where you feel hopeless, helpless, or powerless — that’s all a lie. You’re not hopeless, helpless, or powerless when you have God in your life.” – Rick Warren

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7 ESV)

Don’t let anyone lead you astray

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:7-8 NIV)

Don’t be deceived by the unrighteous

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10 ESV)

Don’t be deceived with empty words

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 5:6 ESV)

Don’t deceive yourself

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 ESV)

Don’t be deceived by self importance

“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Gal. 6:3 ESV)

Don’t be deceived by the smooth talk of others

“…for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.” (Rom. 16:18)

“Stop being carried away by all kinds of unusual teachings, for it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by food laws that have never helped those who follow them.” (Heb. 13:9)

“Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.” (Col. 2:8)

“But evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and found to be true, because you know from whom you learned it.” (2 Tim. 3:13-14)

“Be careful that you are not deceived, because many will come in my name and say, ‘I AM’ and, ‘The time has come.’ Don’t follow them.” (Luke 21:8)

Quotes:

“I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan now on this point, that they have not got the assurance of salvation just because they are not willing to take God at His word.”  Dwight L. Moody

“Do not be deceived; happiness and enjoyment do not lie in wicked ways.”  Isaac Watts

“Thousands are deceived into supposing that they have “accepted Christ” as their “personal Savior”, who have not first received Him as their LORD.”  A. W. Pink

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Prov. 16:25 NIV)

The rich young ruler was sincere, yet lacking 

“As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.” (Mark 10:17-22 NIV)

Such people claim to know God, but…

“Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16 NLT)

Many will be found sincerely wrong 

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matt. 7:22-23 ESV)

Quote:

“Unless you have made a complete surrender and are doing his will it will avail you nothing if you've reformed a thousand times and have your name on fifty church records.” -  Billy Sunday

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” (1 John 3:10 NIV)

Led by the Spirit of God

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:14-15 ESV)

Good seed or weeds

“The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one…” (Matt. 13:38)

Therefore…

“But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12) 

“Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:17-28 NIV)

“…so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Phil. 2:15 NIV)

Quote:

“I'm so thankful because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and being adopted in the family of God that I don't have to live the highs and the lows and the roller coaster that the rest of the world lives, because I know where my identity lies. My identity lies as a child of God, and that's something that will never be shaken.” - Tim Tebow

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Rev. 22:17 ESV)

Come and reason together

“Come now, and let us reason together,”Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” (Isa. 1:18 NASB)

Come to the waters

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa. 55:1 ESV)

Come to Jesus, as such as these

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14 NIV)

Therefore…

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 ESV)

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37)

Quote:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus Christ -  (John 14:6 NIV)

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22-23 ESV)

God is rich in mercy

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—“ (Eph. 2:4-5 ESV)

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” (Micah 7:18 ESV)

According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Pet. 1:3 ESV) 

Therefore…

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 ESV)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7 ESV)

Quote:

“A man does not get grace till he comes down to the ground, till he sees he needs grace. When a man stoops to the dust and acknowledges that he needs mercy, then it is that the Lord will give him grace.” - Dwight L. Moody

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 

Declared righteous by faith

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.” (Rom. 5:1-2) 

By faith in the the Son of God

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 ESV) 

Justified by faith in Christ

“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Gal. 2:16 ESV)

Faith working through love

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” (Gal. 5:6 NASB)

Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NASB)

Therefore…

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:28-29 NASB)

“…but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31 NASB)

Quote:

“I believe that Christians believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. And we believe that if you're saved, Jesus becomes your savior. He makes a promise to you. You can trust his promises. You can bank on that word.” - Robert H. Schuller

“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Rom. 5:9 NIV)

He freed us from sin by His blood

“And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Rev. 1:5 ESV)

You were ransomed through His blood

“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19 ESV)

We have forgiveness of sins through His blood

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.” (Eph. 1:7 NIV)

The blood of Jesus cleanses is from all sin 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 ESV)

Therefore…

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Heb. 9:14 ESV)

Quote:

“Be assured that there is no sin you have ever committed that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot cleanse.” - Billy Graham