I heard this question many years ago from a famous speaker, Morris Venden. Professor Venden taught religion at Andrews University when he was not traveling and talking about his favorite topic: Righteousness by Faith Through Jesus Christ.
What do you think? Your answer may reveal your view of God and His plan of salvation.
The Difference Between Religiosity and Born-Again.
We all know, from the lips of Jesus, that we are lost if we’ve never been born again: Jesus told the very religious Nicodemus,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
Nicodemus was a ruler and a Pharisee, but he was drawn to the Savior, whose words often cut across the pious religious teachers and theologians. The well-educated church leader sought a private meeting with Jesus at night, to evaluate Jesus and His teachings. Nicodemus was good at being a (fill in the name of any denomination). But Jesus quickly and directly told Nicodemus of his critical need for a new heart…a new way of thinking.
Before you answer the question of the day, let’s consider the elements of Salvation. First, it always starts and ends with God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They are all involved in saving you from eternal death. It was love that instituted the plan of salvation. They planned it and executed it. They maintain it. Both our justification (title to heaven) and sanctification (fitness for heaven) are two different experiences connected together thru Christ, but both are God’s gifts! Philippians 2:13
Was the Plan of Salvation Easy or Hard for the Godhead?
I maintain it was easy to do, in one sense, because of God’s great love for His creation, but it was not an easy road to travel to ensure our eternal life, especially for Jesus, whose cross was the object lesson of God’s great love, grace, and forgiveness available for sinners of all kinds.
Jesus faced rejection, sorrow, shame, and eventually, a horrendous bloody death on the cross. The Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Angels must have suffered with Him. They were not casual observers; they were invested in this work of salvation.
Jesus died a perceived “second” death, unable to see through the portals of the tomb. He was sure He would never see His Father nor Heaven again. Yet, He became sin for us…filthy, dripping, smelly sin! But, Paul tells us it was “joy” that motivated Him to stay on the cross. Jesus could see a happy multitude of people who would receive atonement for their sins and, thereby, a blissful eternity near His beloved Father.
“…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,…”
Hebrews 2:2
But it was God the Father’s great love for us that initiated the act of Grace and the free gift of Jesus for us. Read those familiar words in John 3:16 again. What is it that is at stake in this verse? Repeat it very slowly, listening to every word. It is eternal death (perish) or eternal life. Before Jesus “gave up His spirit” that day, He felt God the Father had forsaken Him, and He (Jesus) was perishing. The lost will perish because they “choose” not to believe (trust) Jesus. Perishing is not living for eternity in flames.
So, is it easier to be saved or easier to be lost?
It was difficult for God so it would be easy for us.
We don’t have to die on a cross for forgiveness from our stinking sins. We don’t have to whip ourselves or go on long pilgrimages to win the favor of a Holy God. We don’t have to pay our way into Heaven. We don’t have to have perfect church attendance or halos around our heads. We don’t have to do penitence or say a thousand “Hail Marys.” These are left-over teachings of false gods who worked off of guilt, fear, and control.
But we do have to choose Jesus. This can be hard because there are so many choices out there. Choosing means yielding to the drawing of the Holy Spirit (aka conviction). When you decide, it is as easy as opening a door.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
It was easy for the thief on the cross even though he was a the height of pain and hopelessness. All he had to do was ask Jesus to remember him when Jesus returned.
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Luke 23:42
Yielding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit is almost always referred to as “surrender,” giving up our sins for his righteousness….our own thoughts, and ways to His leading. Then peace will flow like a river, even in tough times.
The Jesus Journey Begins
Once we start on our journey with Jesus and our new heart, obedience to His will becomes our heart’s desire. Obedience because of a changed way of thinking…not obedience to receive salvation. It is already yours! So, once you choose Jesus, your salvation is easy. But the road can be difficult. Don’t buy the dangerous doctrine of not being able to lose your crown. Once you have been born of the spirit, the flesh will war against the Spirit. But it is easy to let God fight this battle for you by giving yourself to him afresh every day.
God cannot make us choose. But if we do, He will change our hearts and mold us into new creatures. We will be transformed from the person that looks and thinks like Jesus. This is the goal, but the trip is made easy with Jesus at your side and you at His side. While the experience of being born-again is instantaneous and joyous, we are constantly told in Scripture to be on guard. Why? Because we are now in a battle with the world…with the flesh.
If you look at the council of scripture closely, it is almost always directed to the believer. Why? Because we must be aware and on guard for the crown being taken away from us:
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:11
If we let Jesus reign in our lives, our path, though tough at times, will be smoothed by His grace and power. He promises to save us to the uttermost.
“…grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Roman’s 5:20-21
Let God’s Grace “reign through righteousness” in your heart today!
Our salvation was hard for God so that it would be easy for us…If we will accept it. Turn to Jesus and be saved today and let Him rule in your life. You will find peace and joy in your journey even though there may be a cross in your future. or there is one now. He will remember you when He comes into His kingdom. Praise His Name!