Hi there,

Today I write to share something personal, which is near and dear to me. You may have heard similar sentiments before throughout your life, but I hope that what I have to say captures you in a new and unique way.

Contrary to what popular religion states, no one can enter Heaven simply by doing "good" things, observing religious rituals or ordinances. Nor is it to turn a new leaf, starting this and stopping that. These are man-made religious philosophies that infiltrate churches; adulterated interpretations of God's word (the Bible). You see, we ALL fall short of God's holiness and perfect standard (Romans 3:23). No one qualifies before the Lord, for all have sin. God made the provision, and redemption is utterly made possible through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Christ alone. God manifested a part of Himself in human form (Christ Jesus), the only perfect, sinless flesh to walk the earth. This attribute qualifies Him to be the only acceptable substitute on our behalf. Such a perfect sacrifice paid for 100% of man's sin, and He offers it as a FREE GIFT to all who will receive it by simply -believing-, putting one's complete trust and faith in Christ and His finished works alone (not 'self' or anything else).

Only a couple things disqualifies a person from receiving the gift. First, is a flat rejection in unbelief, and the other is one who adds to it, trying to earn or merit it based on their own supposed "good works", which scripture explicitly refutes (Titus 3:5-6). God's way for redemption is so simple, man's pride often won't allow themselves to accept that they're indeed that bankrupt to merit one inch toward Heaven. God desires practical righteousness out of His children, but that only applies to those who are already saved, that they might be usable lights in the world (Titus 3:8) and please their Savior with a 'thank you' life. This is not part of redemption itself. The most common mistake folks make is blending God's free gift of redemption with what God desires of His children, as if it be stipulation for entrance. Upon simple faith in Christ a person is pardoned and imputed with what is needed to enter, the righteousness of Christ which is not man's own (2nd Corinthians 5:21). If entrance depended upon any level of our own works, the Bible indicates that the standard would be absolute sinless perfection (James 2:10), in thought, word and deed, from the beginning to the end of one's life. This of course is humanly impossible, sin is in our very DNA and even a bad thought or one lie told disqualifies us. That's how good and holy God is. This is why His intervention on our behalf, because of God's great love for us, was necessary.

He provided the remedy and made the payment we could never make (John 3:16). Christ's payment covers every sin... past, present and future, and secures a person from the very moment of faith placed solely in Christ, (forsaking any faith in 'self') and they can never be lost again. If it wasn't for this act, there'd be no hope for a single human being. When we offer up our own supposed "good works" before God to pay our own way, in whole or in part, it's like bribes to God. Every man's very best falls short of God's holiness and He sees such bribes as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Scripture states time again, we're NOT saved by our works; this would include "back-loaded" works (if you're really a believer you will...'x'). Therefore, salvation can only be received in a non-meritorious way: which is being convinced of these truths, a cognitive belief/faith on the correct object; Christ and His finished works, His death and resurrection once for all sin. Thus, one has nothing to boast of themselves; all credit for such a great salvation belongs solely to God. It's His gift to us. And a gift by definition is that which cannot be earned, bought or taken back. It's like an inoculation administered by a Dr., which is something that can't be undone. The true message of salvation is simple, applicable to everyone and accessible to all. Some points of what I've said here may sound similar to popular messages out there, but make no mistake, it's functionally and practically very different despite a few shared terminologies.

So many verses could be sited, but allow me to fully quote just a few before I close:

Ephesians 2:8-9 states,
"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".

Romans 4:5
“But to him that worketh NOT, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness”.

Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us..."

Jesus also said the following:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John in 6:47).
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

It's the most amazing and awesome gift one could receive, and is truly 'good news', which is how the word 'Gospel' translates (Good News).

I hope this message finds you well, and please know that I personally have been praying for you. Also, I hope that if you haven't yet come to a proper, unadulterated understanding of the true Gospel, that this might be the day. If you have yet to receive this free gift, basing your assurance by believing completely upon Christ alone (none of self), I pray that you might do that today.

Thanks so much for lending a brief moment to read my letter. I truly care, and that's why I wrote it.

For a more thorough treatment and walk-through of the scriptures, please click the link here... www.EmeraldLeafMinistries.com/page5