I. God Lets Us Know That He Wants Us To Be Saved

We are specifically told through inspiration that God wants us to escape the damnation of hell and be with him eternally. The idea that God is unjust or unfair, and of a disposition to cast as many into hell as possible, is foreign to the teachings of the New Testament. We are told, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Certainly none can stand in the face of God at judgment and accuse him of wishing the condemnation of his creation. The man who loses his soul does so against the wishes of his Creator. Paul said, "Or despises thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4) Let us take comfort that we serve a God who wants us to live eternally with him.

II. God Sacrificed His Son To Save Us

What would it take for God to prove to you that he wants you to be saved from your sins? What act would it take to convince you that he wants your eternal existence to be one of happiness and bliss rather than destruction and pain? Will the sacrifice of his Son not convince you? "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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17). The genuine purpose of this sacrifice was to secure your salvation. Surely this demonstration of love will confirm in our minds the resolve of God for our eternal good.

III. God Gives His Help In Our Salvation

God has promised his continual help in securing our salvation. After warning of the possibility of a child of God being lost, the word of God says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye maybe able to bear it" (1 Cot. 10:13). Take courageyou are promised a victory if you will fight the good fight. Paul further states his confidence in the Lord, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

As you leave these words to face the battles of this day, take courage in the knowledge of your Great God who wants you to win the victory in this life, and he is helping you do it! May God richly bless your efforts to serve him.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 4 p. 12
February 16, 1995