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“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…” – I Corinthians 15:3-4
Christianity is somewhat of a paradoxical religion. It’s exclusive in that Jesus is the only way to heaven and inclusive because everybody is invited into God’s family. The Gospel is good news. What is so good about the Gospel? It’s the fact that the free gift of eternal life is offered to everyone who will put their trust in Jesus. It seems to good to be true, but people of every race, rich or poor, are all invited into God’s family. The Gospel is relevant to people of all ages, ethnic groups, and God is not bound to any particular geographical location.
Believing in Jesus without trusting in him as Lord and Savior is only head knowledge, and mere mental assent will not save anyone, even the demons believe(James 2:19). True salvation requires genuine faith and repentance. To believe the Gospel is to acknowledge that God became a man and came from Heaven to live among the very people he created. And that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and are totally helpless and have no way of saving ourselves. We believe that Jesus lived a sinless life that we couldn’t live and he died on a cross and paid the price for all of our sins that we couldn’t pay. The Gospel message is counter-cultural: Instead of confessing our strength we acknowledge our weakness.
The Resurrection is essential to the Gospel – without the resurrection there would be no salvation. The Gospel message is unique among all world religions. No other religion has a prophet that died for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead.
I challenge anyone who reads this post: Meditate on the Gospel, make the Gospel message a priority in your life. You will never outgrow it. If you really understand the Gospel you will never look down on ‘sinners’ again. Why? Because we are all sinners and we all need a Savior.
Reflections of a Blue Collar Christian 
http://truesalvationjesuschrist.wordpress.com
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I understand buddy, I was once a Calvinist too. But I’ve also been a dispensationalist.
I no longer claim any systematic theology.
I was a Lordship salvation guy back when I was big into listening to John McArthur. But I eventually came back to resting in the finished work of Christ.
All glory to the risen Lord. 😃
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I don’t consider myself a Calvinist as I once did.
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Ok, thanks for the reply. That helps my understanding of your perspective.
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Yes, but, I receive from both Calvinist’s and Arminians.
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Thank you Bobby.
Do your views tend to lean in the reformed direction?
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I believe in what some call “Lordship salvation.” But not sinless perfection. We become disciples or followers of Jesus. True repentance is a result of a total change of heart. We acknowledge our sin, and by faith, turn from it trusting Jesus as having stood in our place condemned. He paid the penalty for our sin. God through Jesus death on the Cross saves us from our sin. Which results in a changed life. But, our sanctification is a process. God initiates it all by his Spirit. God’s work of salvation in our lives is a free undeserved gift. It’s grace. He empowers us to respond, but we must work out our salvation – not for it.
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Good mornin Bobby.
I enjoyed your article brother.
The subject you mentioned about “Lord and Savior” and “repentance” can have different connotations to different people.
Can you elaborate please on what you specifically mean by these statements in relation to the person’s responsibility?
And the “repentance” aspect is the part that I’m most interested in hearing you speak to.
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Amen!
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