Since God did not determine that some would perish, so no one is headed to hell by God’s choice (2 Peter 3:9), it is important to present the facts of the Gospel accurately, according to what Scripture states.

Over in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the Corinthians saints of the gospel that he brought. This is one of the clearest presentations of the gospel to the Gentiles in Scripture. Paul states, this is the gospel by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:2). Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.

This is the message that contains the inherent ability of God to save (Romans 1:16) and the only sin that the Holy Spirit is convicting unbelievers of today (John 16:9). Faith is an interesting concept. We often consider faith to be something within the mind. However, it is specifically defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen, and in James we find that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), also we know from 1 John 3:4 that sin is an action, not something that happens within the mind; therefore, faith is not seen from God’s perspective as something within the mind, but an action that results from belief within the mind. Saying you believe something is not faith. Faith will always manifest itself in works, for it is the act of believing. Abraham believed God and there was an action that was associated with that belief. This was demonstrated when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, for in his mind he concluded that God would have to then raise him from the dead for he was the son of promise (Hebrews 11:17-19). Since faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, and hope is always based upon a promise, stating the promise correctly is very important.

As a result of Adam’s trespass and sin, our human nature is in a state that rejects God (Romans 5:12-21). Because of this condition none of us do righteousness, show kindness, and we have all gone astray (Romans 3:10-12).  Therefore, an aspect of grace is that God has given to us the ability to believe in order to take Him at His Word (Philippians 1:29), for salvation is offered by grace through faith, not works. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. This grace has appeared unto all humans (Titus 2:11). By believing the facts of the gospel for salvation we are taking God at His Word and thereby expressing faith. A faith that brings salvation.

So what is our part in salvation? We need to take God at His Word, changing our mind, and believe that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He paid the penalty for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). He was buried, proving His physical death. And He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (Psalm 16:10), to show that all who believe in Him are justified before God (Romans 4:25). Over five hundred witnesses saw Him after His resurrection, giving absolute proof that He did in fact raise from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:5-6). Taking God at His word means a change of the mind. This repentance will result in actions, for we are believing that in fact God did die for sins and was raised on the third day so that we could have new life. All are condemned in Adam, none are predetermined for salvation, for God did not determine that some would perish, salvation is only by faith, faith is based upon a promise, the promise God gave was that when we believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scripture we will be saved; therefore, our part is simply to take Him at His Word, for He has done everything else required to obtain salvation and offers it to us without consideration of merit.