God desires eternal salvation for everyone. Scripture declares that He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4), that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Tit 2:11), and that He is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). This universal desire reflects God’s loving and gracious character, yet He never forces salvation, but offers it freely to all who will believe in Christ (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 16:31).
Nearly 2,000 years ago, God the Son took on humanity and entered the world on a rescue mission—“to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He accomplished this mission at the cross, where He died in our place, bearing the judgment we deserved. Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:6; cf. Mark 10:45), offering “one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Heb 10:12). As Peter affirms, “Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). He was buried and raised on the third day, never to die again (1 Cor 15:3–4; Rom 6:9). His resurrection proved the success of His work, for “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God” (Rom 4:25).
Christ died for everyone. He “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2). His provision is universal, but its application is not automatic. Though He died “for all” (2 Cor 5:14–15), His saving benefits—justification, forgiveness, reconciliation, regeneration—are applied only to those who believe in Him (John 1:12; Acts 10:43; Rom 3:28; 5:1; Eph 1:13).
Faith is the God-ordained means of receiving salvation. It is not a work (Rom 4:5), but the channel through which we appropriate the free gift of grace (Eph 2:8). The moment a person believes in Christ, the transaction is complete: God justifies the ungodly, not on the basis of human merit, but by crediting to them the righteousness of Christ (Rom 4:5; 5:1; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9).
The gospel is good news because salvation is offered as a free gift. Paul writes, “We are justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24), and “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). It is “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8). Our salvation was costly to God, but it costs us nothing. At the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). That means our eternal salvation was paid in full! Jesus paid it all. If we pay even a penny for it, it’s no longer a gift. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—for “there is salvation in no one else…no other name under heaven…by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Friend, if you’ve never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the time. Believe in Him—right now—right where you are. Bring nothing but your need, and place your faith in the One who died for you and rose again. The moment you believe, God gives you eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28). You will be saved forever, never face the lake of fire (Rev 20:15), and spend eternity in heaven with the Lord (John 14:1-3). The work is finished—Christ paid it all. It’s totally free if you’ll receive it. Your part is not to work, but to believe in Jesus, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). I pray you’ll make the most important decision of your life today—believe in Jesus and receive the free gift of eternal life.
Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.
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