Quotes about Salvation

Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.

Man's thought is always of the punishment that will come to him if he sins. God's thought is always of the glory man will miss if he sins. God's purpose for redemption is glory, glory, glory.

To be penitent, to feel sorry for sin, to shed tears, to even make decisions does not bring in salvation. Confession, decision, and many other religious acts can never be and are not to be construed as new birth. Rational judgment, intelligent understanding, mental acceptance, or the pursuit of the good, the beautiful, and the true are merely soulical activities if the spirit is not reached and stirred.

Unless, before then, the prayer assist me which rises from a heart that lives in grace: what avails the other, which is not heard in heaven?

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve and the natural sinfulness of the human heart that was passed onto all of us, there are those who will oppose God with all their strength. Paul was one of them. It was on his way to persecute believers in Jesus Christ that Jesus knocked him off his horse, blinded him, and spoke directly to him: "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4). Never, never, never give up on the person in your life who seems most opposed to the gospel.

Even when we feel we should be disqualified from all that Christ offers, grace beckons us back.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. Psalm 18:16—17, NIV

Whatever God gives us is to be shared. When blessed financially, we share with those in need. When we are given a special insight from God's Word, we share with a group or friend. When God lifts our spirits, we encourage the discouraged. When we have a roof over our heads and food on the table, we offer hospitality. Most importantly, when we receive the gift of salvation, when we are made His disciples, we make it our purpose in life to help others become disciples.

Not every circumstance feels good. But we can always determine to be joyful. Yes, oftentimes joy is a choice, an act of the will. That's why grumbling and complaining is so dangerous. Negative thoughts and words take us down a path to where everything feels impossible, too hard, unfair. But positive words and thoughts—as an act of the will and as an expression of our salvation—lead us to joy.

Jesus is our Victor. We simply need to turn to Him when we feel under fire.

As our "great high priest," Jesus is our bridge, the only way to God.

But His resurrection ensures that the story of Jesus is just beginning—the story continues!