Many people have not heard of the message, “Jesus came to the world to save sinners.”. Some, though they know it, still have their doubts. Actually, the birth of Jesus Christ is an undeniable fact, not only testified by the Bible but also recorded in history.

The calendar that we use today is according to the birth of the Lord Jesus, eg, the year 2001 is counted from the year of the birth of Jesus. Moreover, the “Red Cross” commonly used as the symbol for salvation originates from the crucifixion of God’s beloved Son Jesus, who was nailed to the cross for the sins of the world and shed His blood to save them from the punishment of sin – eternal perdition. Therefore, people all over the world use the Red Cross to represent salvation. The term “scapegoat” also originates from the fact that the Lord Jesus, who is without sin, took our sins upon Himself and bore God’s righteous judgment in our place to deliver us from the judgment of the wrath of the holy and righteous God.

It is a pity that although we are familiar with these symbols and the calendar, we fail to know the Saviour through them, our Lord Jesus who loved us, shed His blood and gave His life for us. Actually, it is God’s wonderful arrangement that all over the world, regardless of country or race, these symbols and system of calendar are used, for God wants all men to know the salvation He has prepared for them, to believe and accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and receive eternal life.

All have sinned

The Bible says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Some may ask, “I neither kill nor set fire nor break the law, so how have I sinned?” However, in God’s eyes, sin does not just include one’s outward actions, but also the intents of his heart. Eg, someone who is furious with his adversary may think of ways to plot against him, attack or even injure him. However, due to his timidity, he dares not put his thoughts into action. Outwardly, such a one may still seem to be a good citizen because he has not carried out his evil intentions, but before the God who examines our hearts, he has already sinned, for his heart is full of evil, just as Jesus once said, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). And also, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23).

Oh, this shows us why wherever there are men, there are strife and hatred. The whole earth is full of strife and enmity and the rule is “survival of the fittest”. Even a family that is set up in love has its own problems. Yes, men have a problem. Even the kindest man on earth would not dare to show his thoughts of the past week to others, or he would be utterly ashamed. Such being the case, who can stand in the presence of the God who searches and examines our hearts? Just as the Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:9-10).

Men cannot save himself.

Some people may say, “If I am more determined to turn over a new leaf, I will be able to overcome the power of sin.” Don’t you know that the real condition of man is such: “For to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom. 7:18)? Eg, a man can be determined not to be greedy, but under the temptation of money, he just cannot control himself. Some may be determinded to be holy in their thoughts, but they are still occupied by fleshly desires and lusts. Hence, man just cannot save himself. This explains why the more developed science is, the more degenerate man becomes; the more fallen man is, the more cunning he is at committing crimes. Oh, there is indeed something wrong with man.

Jesus is the Salvation.

The Bible says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly”; “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6, 8). Oh, God’s love is so great and deep! Even when we were still in sin, He sent His beloved Son to be judged for our sin. He was crucified and bore all our sins so that we can be saved by believing in Jesus.

Jesus is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. He saves those who believe in Him not only by saving their souls from eternal perdition – the punishment of hell – but He also delivers them from the bondage of sin and all kinds of difficulties in this life. Throughout the ages, countless Christians have experienced the saving might of Jesus and their lives were changed, eg deliverance from the habit of gambling and living a new life free from sin.

Dear friend, Jesus loves you. He understands your needs more than anyone else. He wants to save you, forgive you of all sins that you have committed in your life and give you God’s eternal life. You only need to repent and turn to Him, sincerely believe and accept Him as your personal Saviour, and you will obtain His salvation and blessings, both in this life and in the coming age.

        Please pray the following prayer aloud: “Oh, Lord Jesus, I believe in You, and I receive You as my Saviour. I am a sinner, please save me and forgive my sins that I have committed in my life. Please come into me and grant me Your life and Holy Spirit. I entrust my whole life to You. Thank You, Lord, for saving me, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!”