In a world overflowing with voices, each promising hope, truth, and direction, one message has endured. It is not rooted in human effort. It is not discovered through ritual or tradition. It is the gospel of grace. It is a call to stop striving and to start believing. The message of salvation is not about what we do for God. It is about what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Acts 16:31 (KJV)
The First Adam and the Last Adam
Everything began in a garden. One man, Adam, chose disobedience. Because of that decision, sin entered the world, and with it, death spread to all mankind. This is the story of humanity’s fall. But it is not the end of the story.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV)
This is known as the principle of federal headship. Through physical birth, we are united with Adam, inheriting his sinful nature and separation from God. But through spiritual rebirth, we are united with Christ. He becomes our new head, our righteousness, our life.
Paul expands this truth again:
“The first man is of the earth, earthy. The second man is the Lord from heaven.”
1 Corinthians 15:47 (KJV)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Salvation Foreshadowed in the Old Testament
God has always revealed Himself as merciful and just. Long before Christ walked the earth, God gave us pictures ..shadows of a greater redemption to come. These stories are not just historical moments. They are windows into the heart of the gospel.
Noah and the Ark: Entering God’s Provision
In Genesis 6, the world was filled with wickedness. But Scripture says,
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
Genesis 6:8 (KJV)
Noah was saved because of grace, not because of perfection. His faith moved him to obey. He built the ark, and God preserved him and his household. Anyone could have entered that ark. All they had to do was believe Noah’s message and walk through the door. Yet many perished in unbelief.
The writer of Hebrews says,
“By faith Noah… prepared an ark to the saving of his house.”
Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
And Peter draws the parallel to Christ,
“Wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”
1 Peter 3:20–21 (KJV)
Just as Noah built the ark, Christ prepared the way. All we are called to do is believe and enter in.
“All they had to do was believe the message and walk into safety. The same is true today.”
Lot and the Mercy of Escape
Genesis 19 tells the story of Lot, living in the city of Sodom. Though surrounded by corruption, Lot is called righteous by Scripture ..not because of perfection, but because of grace.
“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.”
2 Peter 2:7 (KJV)
The angels who came to rescue him were clear. Judgement was coming. The only way to be saved was to leave. The invitation was urgent. Lot’s family was spared because they were connected to him, just as we are spared by being united with Christ.
The escape required action, but it was not earned. It was a gift of mercy. Lot’s wife, who looked back, reveals the danger of half-hearted belief. Faith requires forward movement.
“They were not rescued because of their works. They were rescued because they responded to the warning.”
The Passover: Covered by the Blood
In Exodus 12, God prepared to strike Egypt with a final plague. But He gave the Israelites a way of escape. They were to kill a spotless lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts.
“And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”
Exodus 12:13 (KJV)
No one had to fight. No one had to work. They only needed to apply the blood. This moment is a direct foreshadowing of the gospel. Jesus is the true Lamb of God. His blood covers all who believe.
“For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”
1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
“God is not looking for effort. He is looking for the blood.”
The Bronze Serpent: Look and Live
In Numbers 21, the Israelites complained against God and were bitten by poisonous serpents. Death was certain. But God instructed Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a pole. Those who simply looked were healed.
“It shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”
Numbers 21:8 (KJV)
Jesus directly connects this to Himself:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”
John 3:14 (KJV)
Salvation is as simple and profound as that. Look to Christ, and live.
The Words of Jesus: Born Again
Jesus was clear with Nicodemus. Religion and rule-following were not enough. He said,
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (KJV)
This rebirth is not achieved by effort. It is spiritual. It is supernatural. Jesus said,
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:6 (KJV)
Just as physical birth brought us into Adam’s lineage, spiritual birth brings us into Christ’s family.
“The only way to enter the kingdom is to be born again. Nothing else qualifies.”
Jesus’ Parables: Grace Over Works
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15)
The son who squandered everything was still welcomed home. The father ran, embraced him, and celebrated. Not because of his performance, but because he came back. It is a picture of how God receives every sinner who returns by faith.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18)
Two men prayed. One recited his religious resume. The other beat his chest and cried for mercy. Jesus said,
“This man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”
Luke 18:14 (KJV)
Only one had saving faith.
Apostle Paul and the Transformation of Faith
Apostle Paul, once a legalistic Pharisee, met Christ and everything changed. He declared,
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Romans 3:28 (KJV)
Salvation is by faith. But that faith changes us.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
And then,
“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
Works follow faith. They never precede it.
The Invitation is Open
The pattern in Scripture is consistent. Noah’s family entered the ark. Lot’s family fled judgment. The Israelites applied the blood. The dying looked at the serpent.
Today, the same principle applies. All who believe in Christ move from death to life.
“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life.”
John 5:24 (KJV)
“Christ has already done the heavy lifting. All we do is believe and receive.”
Final Word: Faith Alone in Christ Alone
There is no better news. Salvation is not achieved. It is received. The invitation is for all, and it is still open.
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13 (KJV)
So come. Not with your good deeds, not with your church attendance, not with your checklist. Come with faith. Come empty, and let Him fill you.
“The door is still open. Enter in.”
