Passage of Scripture (KJV): Acts 4:12
Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Challenge:
As we look around the globe today, we can see the many different religions: Christianity (as others claim Christianity as religion); Islam; secular, nonreligious agnosticism and atheism; Hinduism; Chinese traditional; primal-indigenous; African traditional and diasporic; Buddhism; Sikhism; Jainism; Baha’i Faith; Spiritism; Shintoism; Unitarian-Universalism; Scientology; and many others. For one who is really curious to find out the real truth, a good way to start is ask the question, “Why?” But if you are one of the many spiritually ignorant people in the planet earth, you may either not care at all because you are happy on the religion you and your forefathers inherited without even knowing the real truth, or you may think that there may be so many religions in the world, but all worship the same God. You may think you are correct, if the latter is what you believe in. But the fact of the matter is -- you are as wrong as that of a lost soul with similar belief, so please consider yourself lost as well.
Even in the Christian world, we see that there are so many different groups (small, medium, large), who claim that they are Christians – but ask them if they are saved or not, or talk to them about Salvation or any thing about the Bible and they stay as far away as possible from you. They are like melting candles when the word “Bible” is mentioned. They dread Bible Study. They always thought that one who brings the Bible to them has always the intention of taking them away from their religion. They thought Christianity is simply “believing in Christ by name” based on their old tradition, but their words and actions are truly not Christ-like at all. The fact of the matter is, the devils also believe (James 2:19), except that they also tremble. I was in exactly the same boat before I got saved in August 25, 1996. I thought I knew Christ as a Catholic. I used to go to church, but living and talking the carnal way. Then later on, I found out that Christianity is not merely a matter of believing in Christ. I learned that it is not enough to simply say “I believe.” True Christianity requires personal relationship with Christ, in which personal relationship drives interaction with Christ. Interaction includes communication, obedience and reward, disobedience and discipline, covenant and faithfulness between the person and the Lord Jesus Christ. It requires full focus in Christ, which creates conviction. No conviction, no Christ. Thus, what really matters is not a religion, but a relationship after acceptance of Christ as Saviour and Lord through faith by the grace of God. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” But the real question is: Are you saved?
It may be impossible to live a perfect life in this world as the Apostle Paul and many other Apostles dealt with the same struggles we have now, but having a personal relationship with Christ on a daily basis and knowing that a genuinely saved or born-again Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11; 1 John 4:15; Romans 10:9) could be the most assuring and joyful experience from a human perspective, the fact that God is with His child every second, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, now and forever. God will never leave, nor forsake His child. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:5: “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
The fact that you are reading this challenge could be a sign that you are searching for the truth. Welcome to our humble blogspot! If you are indeed searching for the truth, then our sincere personal prayer for you is that you may be touched by the power of the Holy Ghost as you read through this article (and perhaps the other ones below), that you may decide to receive God’s free gift of Salvation.
If you are already a saved Christian, we also want to welcome you and ask that you would help us pray for the Salvation of those whom God is calling to receive His gift.
The Passage of Scripture above, Acts 4:12 is only a crystal-clear indication that the only TRUE Salvation is JESUS CHRIST. No other name under heaven could save a lost soul: no religion; no tradition; no cult. Only Jesus Christ could save a lost soul. Jesus said in John 14: 6: “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Therefore, if you are not certain that you are going to Heaven if you die today – NOW is the time to forget your religion for a minute. NOW is the time to focus your faith in Christ, and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour of your soul. Put an end in your sins. Repent and allow Jesus to pay all your sins in FULL. Now is the time to break the strongholds of Satan in your life, regardless of your tradition and past religion for many years. Allow yourself to be born again. Jesus says in John 3:3: “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Accept the Gift of God now (Ephesians 2:8). You don’t have to dig the entire depth of the Bible to be saved. That’s not the measure of your Salvation. Instead, it is only knee-deep. No matter how bad your past was, all you have to do is drop on your knees and pray to God with pure sincerity in your heart, cry out to Him if you so desire. Confess your sins to God, and accept Christ that you may be saved. The Bible says in Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:10 also says: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Lastly, Romans 10:13 says: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
My dear friend, your courage to face Jesus now could benefit not just yourself, but your entire family as well. By accepting Christ -- you are simply avoiding to burn your own soul in hell (Luke 16:23-31).
On the same note, it is completely up to you if you want to keep whatever religion you have if it is truly dear in your heart, and if you think it makes sense at all – but all I am asking you is: Follow Jesus! The ONLY TRUE Salvation is Jesus Christ!
May the blessing of the Lord be with you!
