No Atonement, No Salvation

The eventual end of all life is death. People don't like to think about the eventual end. Although it's something that everyone must experience, nobody likes the idea of dying. If death is losing, life, then what is the source of life? The source of life is in the blood. "For the life of a creature is in the blood...." (Lve. 17:11).

On the point of salvation, it is important to recognize the meaning of blood. Because the wages of sin is death, a sinner who has committed the sin has to die. This is why Paul said, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness..." (Heb. 9:22). All sinners have to die. However, Jesus willing delievered us from Gid's wrath by receiving the curse that was placed upon us. He is "Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1 Thess. 1:10), our Savior.

Do you believe this Jesus to be your Savior? Your answer to this question is literally a matter of life and death. It only become balid when you believe in the atonement of Jesus. Jesus' death on the cross was the only way that leads to salvation. Even if you attend church services and do many things out of service to others, it will not save you. Only through the atoneing work of Jesus is there asalvation for sinners. We celebrate His saving work today.

- Saved by Chang-young Kim

Perspective is the Key

The follower of Christ is not a pessimist, nor is he first an potimist. He is first a realist and then an optimist. In other words, the Christian is not optimistic because it is the most advantageous way to think but because it is the accurate way to think. The Christian's optimism is based squarely on realim: God is real, the atonement is real, the resurrection is real, the second coming is real, God's providence is real, and the gospel really is "good news".

Perspective is what Joshua and Caleb had, and the other ten spies didn't (Number 13-14). Joshua and Caleb enter Canaan and saw the land, the fruit, the potential for prosperity, and a place for their families to live and worship God. The other ten spies went to the same land and saw giants - great men of war, who made conquering the land seem impossible. Joshua and Caleb saw exactly the same giants. But somehow, to them, they just didn't seem so big. The two saw God bigger than giants. The ten saw giants as bigger than God. Because they saw God on his throne, Joshua and Caleb could look at the same set of circumstances and see a completely different picture than others saw - a picture both realistic and optimistic.

- by Randy Alcorn