arunangelo
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Messages
- 247
We are saved from sins by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28). In other words, the passion and death of Jesus bring us forgiveness of sins. This is true forgiveness, in which we the offenders are forgiven of our offenses by the compensation of Jesus the victim. This is also true love, in which Jesus gave of Himself completely so that we may have life (1John 4: 10). Therefore, to be saved we have to accept Jesus’ sacrifice by believing in it. To believe in it is to be born again in Jesus’ life (John3: 3-6) and live like Him (1John 2:5-6). This means that we must not hate our offenders and forgive them the way Jesus does, which is to compensate for offenses that our offenders commit against us by our own life. In simple words it means that we have to go out of our way to help our offenders, even to the extent of putting our life on the line. Jesus commands us to love others the way He loves us (John 16:12). Everyone who has this love is begotten of God and knows God (1John4: 7). Similarly, everyone who knows Him keeps His commandment (1John 2:3,4). On the other hand who ever hates his brother is in darkness (1John2: 11) and is a murderer, and therefore, has no eternal life (1 John 3:15). Furthermore, we cannot love God if we have hate in our heart for anyone (1John 4:20). Can we therefore, we saved by simply believing or proclaiming that Jesus is God if our life is not of His?