Bible Basics

Do You Believe It?

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15, 16). Do you believe these statements by Christ? If you do, it is because you choose to believe. God does not force you to believe. Grace is not irresistible! The verses above contain the Lord’s invitation to the lost. They do not contain bias or prejudice. There is no perimeter to their summons for the Lord offers rest for “all you who labor and are heavy laden” and beckons all to “come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest.” Christ’s atoning blood is not limited! Christ died on Calvary’s cross “that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). I can think of no doctrine more discouraging or repugnant than the notion that Christ died to save me but not you. Don’t you believe it! Christ died for you whoever you are, and you can choose to go to heaven if you want to. Do you believe it?

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics