This short book’s purpose is to explain the simple gospel, “the simplicity, [which is] in Christ.” [2 Cor 11:3] To bring to the reader an understanding of that simple gospel which provokes childlike faith, (of which Jesus said, “except you are converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” [Mt 18:3]): mainly, that Jesus died for sinful man and rose again, and through a continued belief and confession in this, for no work of their own hands nor merit of their own possession, a man may be saved.
The importance of the good news cannot be overlooked. For a man’s life is short, and eternity is real, looming ever closer upon the horizon. As Paul wrote, “it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” [Rom 13:11-12] The day in which, “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to [the] gospel,” [Rom 2:16] is soon forthcoming. That day wherein Jesus says, “the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day,” [Jn 12:48] is near to come, for as it says, “the judge stands at the door.” [Jam 5:9] Judgment and eternity edge nearer and nearer each day, and so may you be quick to know your eternal condition, for your short life is not ultimately in your own control, as it says, “in [The LORD’s] hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” [Job 12:10] You have not the power, dearest reader, whosoever you are, to maintain your own life. Health and prosperity may have blinded you for a season, deceiving you into thinking you are without need, but may you see today as Jesus said to those in Laodicea who said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” that, “you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” [Rev 3:17] Think not to yourself that this word is harsh, for Jesus says,
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me.” [Rev 3:19-20]
The LORD said to the prosperous nation of Israel in time past, “woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” [Amo 6:1] And woe to you too, good man, if you believe not and yet are at ease, for that fearful day looms upon the horizon where, “He shall judge the world in righteousness,” for, “God is judge Himself,” [Psa 9:8; 50:6] and may it not be said to you as it was to the man who stored up for this life: “you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be which you have provided?” [Lk 12:20]
The fact of the matter is, according to scripture, that not all shall spend eternity in heaven with Christ. For God tells us, “and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth [that is, that have died] shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting abhorrence.” [Dan 12:2] Will you arise upon that day and spend your eternity with God? Or shall you spend it elsewhere, in “everlasting destruction [apart] from the presence of The Lord[?]” [2 Th 1:9] Again, Jesus says, regarding judgment and resurrection,
“For as The Father has life in Himself; so has He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is The Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” [Jn 5:26-29]
Man’s life is exceedingly short. As a man in The Bible once said, “…our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” [1 Ch 29:15] Our days pass away as quickly as a shadow, and we cannot abide for very long. Again, as David says,
“LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” [Psa 39:4-5]
Let us do as Moses and “number our days, that we may acquire a heart of wisdom.” [Psa 90:12] Deceive yourself no longer, if you have been; your life draws to a close, for there is not a man alive today who can hope to live and not die.
“The days of our years are seventy; and if by reason of strength they be eighty years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” [Psa 90:10]
We must apply ourselves seriously to this business, to the condition of our souls and their state with God, for as Jesus says, “for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mt 16:26] What shall it benefit you, dear man, though you gain all the wealth and good things of this life, if your soul is damned at the last?
You may have good thoughts about Christ, or about God; you may do what is good in the sight of men – but are you saved? But have you trusted in Christ? Have you been made into a new creature, being given the ability to live for and serve God through the power of His Spirit? Have you been born again, born from above, or are you yet dead in your sins, a slave to your passions and lusts and to the ideals of the world around you? Take an honest look, dear reader, and judge yourself; hear what Jesus says,
“Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then shall you begin to say, we have eaten and have drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets. But He shall say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’” [Lk 13:24-27]
And again, Jesus warns,
“Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that is doing the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out demons? And in your name have done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.’” [Mt 7:21-23]
So, you have given your earnest profession of Jesus; “you believe that there is one God; you do well: [but] the demons also believe and tremble.” [Jam 2:19] Even the devils believe in God and Jesus; for some cried out from within those bodies they possessed, saying to Christ, “you are The Son of God.” [Mk 3:11] But will you know, O man, that mere profession is not sufficient? Will you know, dear reader, that just because you have diligently attended a church, read your Bible, believed in Jesus’ name, and done many other like things, that you may not be saved? For these things do not save a man, and if you trust in such things, you are frankly lost, and under condemnation, for you have not trusted in the righteousness of Jesus alone for salvation. Can you genuinely and honestly say you have a deep, true, intimate, and real relationship with the Living person: your Risen Christ, Lord, and Savior, Jesus? For neither your works nor your knowledge will not save you, as Jesus shows. Can you say truthfully: you have been recreated, that you have been unmistakably, irrevocably regenerated – transformed? That your old life is dead, and you now serve Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, having your heart filled to the brim with His Spirit and His Love, which draws out from your heart tender and true affections for the person of Jesus?
If you are in doubt of these things, read on. If you have not experienced the risen, living, savior, Jesus Christ, read on! This day may you find salvation at the foot of the cross, trusting in nothing else except Jesus’ righteousness: for the fruit of all other faiths, though they may have a vail of religiosity, are damnation and death.