ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

There are many reasons why Christians enjoy reading the Bible. They have come to the realization that the Bible is the source of simple instructions to follow to inherit eternal life with Christ and instructions on how to help guide others who need God’s salvation. We find that the holy God of the universe, Creator of all things that are made, has made the plan for man’s salvation, so even a “child” can understand. So says the scripture as Paul speaks to his son in the faith, Timothy “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto “salvation” through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:15). See, no rituals and no pompous ceremonies, Timothy.

Genuine Bible-believing Christians, symbolically speaking, do not have their feet set in sand and cement as a spiritual foundation, rather it is solid “rock,” the chief cornerstone better known as Jesus Christ of the scriptures. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11).

As well, there is no need on God’s green earth of a co-redeemer/redemptrix for man’s eternal salvation and life with Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The scripture compliments and builds on itself to further explain through the book of Hebrews 12:2: “Looking to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who endured the sacrifice of himself on the cross despising the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

It’s plain from the scriptures no one else but Jesus ever performed an efficacious act to redeem man from his sins. Jesus Christ is the all sufficient savior for mankind. There is no other Savior. We can see this as Paul states, “But God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

God extends to man his free gift of grace which is the enablement for faith through the Holy Spirit to receive his free gift of eternal salvation. Paul speaks and says, “But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Galatians 4:7). I don’t see any intermediary helper giving Out God’s grace through rituals or ceremonies. God bestows it directly to individuals.

God’s word is clear that many reject his free gift of grace, his unmerited favor and instead man endeavors to merit his grace and his free gift of eternal salvation by human efforts or works. This is defined by the word “synergism” which is man’s belief in his ability to assist or help God to save him. Paul again states, “I do not make void the grace of God, for if righteousness come by the works of the Law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21).

“Christ is dead in vain” if we substitute our good works to appease God for our eternal salvation.