Salvation

See also Assurance
See also Gospel
See also Grace
See also Substitution

A visitor asked an old, bedridden woman who said she was trying to be a Christian: "Are you trying to be Mrs. Whyte?", "No, I am Mrs.  Whyte.", "How long have you been Mrs.  Whyte?  ", "Ever since this ring was put on my finger.", "That is how it is with me.  I do not try to be a Christian.  I have been one ever since I put out my empty hand and received Christ as my Saviour."

When Antiochus invaded Egypt, the Romans delivered an ultimatum to the ambitious Syrian who would be a king.  Hoping to gain time, he told the Roman tribune that he needed to think over their demands.  He would give them an answer later.  The tribune took swift action.  He drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus and said, "Decide before you step out of that circle."
The heaven we read of in the Bible is real.  The God it speaks of is holy, almighty and glorious.  His throne is the immovable center of the universe.  He rules over all.  He offers mankind salvation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  And He draws a circle around us called life, and he tells us to make our decision concerning Him before we step out of that circle.

Anonymous poem.
If our greatest need had been information, God would of sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been money, God would of sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would of sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would of sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a saviour.

Salvation explained
     Wordless Book

Salvation shown
     Two roads and Rope trick

William Temple
"We contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin from which we need to be saved."

The Art Collectors Son
Once there was a father and son who were very close and enjoyed adding valuable art pieces to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed.
The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holiday with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man's son had told every one of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the painting above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realised that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamoured. He told his neighbours it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! Unmindful of the story of the man's only son, but in his honour, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list.
It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an
opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with
$100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the
room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a painting of
his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices
echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one-first," replied the auctioneer.
"Now, who will take the son?"
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars
for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to
have it. I have ten dollars."
"Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone. "The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a painting of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son, gets it all."
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art
collectors discovered on that Christmas Day, the message is still the same: the love of a Father, a Father whose greatest joy came from his son, who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love, whoever takes the Son gets it all.

Clean Laugh
A guy walking in the desert desperately needed a drink.  As he followed the dunes, he came upon another man riding a camel.  He asked the man if he had something to drink.
The man on the camel said "No, but if you like, I have a nice selection of ties.  Would you like to buy one?"
"No!" The first man replied.  "Are you crazy?  I need something to drink, not a tie!"
So the man on the camel rode on, and the walking man continued his slow and very thirsty trek for several days.  Finally he came upon a cantina.
He gratefully approached the doorman at the cantina and said, "I'm so glad I made it!  Can I get in and get some water?"
The doorman frowned at him.  "Not without a tie."