Nuggets from “An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith” by Dave Hunt – The Only Escape from God’s Judgment | thebereancall.org

TBC Staff

Nuggets from “An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith” by Dave Hunt – The Only Escape from God’s Judgment

In Hebrews:2:3 the vital question is asked, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” The answer is unequivocal: there is no escape for those who reject Christ. The Bible makes that solemn fact abundantly clear. To reject, add to, take from, or otherwise pervert or embrace a substitute for “the gospel of God” is to perpetuate the rebellion begun by Adam and Eve and to leave one eternally separated from God and His proffered salvation.

No wonder Paul wrote, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians:5:11). So must all who know Christ persuade men to believe the only gospel that saves! We do this not for any credit or reward, much less to get others to “join our side, “ but out of love and compassion for all mankind – the same love that God manifested in providing salvation for sinners and that He has implanted in the hearts of all true believers.

The “gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians:1:13) “wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved” (1 Corinthians:15:1-2) is simple and precise, leaving no room for misunderstanding or negotiation: “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (verses 3-4).

This “everlasting gospel” (Revelation:14:6) was promised “before the world began” (Timothy 1:9; Titus:1:2) and cannot change with time or culture. There is no other hope for mankind, no other way to be forgiven and brought back to God, except through this “strait gate and narrow way” (Matthew:7:13-14). Any broader road leads to destruction according to Jesus himself.

The one true “gospel of God’s grace,” which God offers as our only salvation, has three basic elements: 1) who Christ is – fully God and perfect, sinless man in one Person (were He less, He could not be our Savior), 2) who we are – hopeless sinners already condemned to eternal death (or we wouldn’t need to be saved), and 3) what Christ’s death accomplished - the payment of the full penalty for our sins (any attempt by us to pay in any way or any part demeans what Christ accomplished and rejects the gift of salvation God offers).