Anchorpoint Radio

Every religion in our world today stresses the importance of the need to do something in order to obtain the approval of a divine being, the forgiveness for wrongdoings, or the attainment of spiritual peace within. The Bible, however, is very clear in its emphasis that there is nothing that we are able to do to please God, that we are spiritually bankrupt. Over and over again, the scriptures point out how that eternal life and forgiveness with God is a GIFT – a gift that comes from God, not from us. That is really why the gospel is really all about good news – there is a divine solution to a tremendous problem that we are unable to fix ourselves. 

The Bible speaks very simply of two roads and two destinies. One road is broad and very crowded. It has room for everybody’s opinions and ideas. It has room for every pleasure and distraction you can think of. Unfortunately, multitudes choose this road. It's easy and it steadily flows along day after day as we pursue our own desires. However, the other road is narrow. There’s no room for a hundred different viewpoints and a thousand different pleasure trips – there’s only room for God’s way, for righteousness and truth. Unlike the other road, this one goes up – upwards to heaven, and it’s a road we'd all be wise to choose. 

How often we, as mere human beings, make our every day plans as is we are in total control of our lives. We forget the disclaimer often made in the Word of God - the little words "BUT GOD". Yes, God has the final word. Perhaps we face some very difficult circumstances in life, and there seems to be no way out. Or, worse still, we learn about our sinful condition before a holy God and come to realize that there is nothing we can do about it. It is wonderful to know that despite our condition and circumstances, there is a God Who is ready to step into our lives and make a difference. 

The Christian faith is very clear on this one important fact - that there is salvation in nothing or no one else but the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 states: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Man's universal problem is sin - and sin must be put away if we are to be on the right terms with a holy God. As sinners, we cannot do this ourselves. We need the intervention of another who has no sin of His own - that is, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. And there is only one way to receive it - by trusting in His work alone.

Well, our broadcast today is one you won’t want to miss because it’s all about God’s wonderful plan of salvation for you. In Ephesians 1:7 we read these amazing words – “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Yes, it can be a present reality for everyone who hears this message today. What greater possession than having the forgiveness of sins and peace with God? And where is this redemption found? In the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of the Word of God when it comes to the salvation of the soul. It is only by depending on the authority of the Bible that sinners can firmly secure their faith as sure as an anchor holds fast to a giant rock. But not only do we need this firm foundation of our faith - we need to hear it for ourselves. We need to hear God speaking to us THROUGH His Word. It is the Word of God that is able to save the soul. "Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life!" the hymn writer could say. Have you trusted them?

The Bible is quite clear on the true natural human condition. Indeed, the problem of sin troubled the Saviour very much. And we should be troubled by it as well. In fact, it must be faced if we are ever to appreciate the good news at all. Today's broadcast takes up the topic of a 'troubled Saviour', referring to instances in the Bible where it is stated that Christ was greatly troubled. Each of these times is in response to sin and the devastation it causes to human lives. But what a wonderful promise the Saviour gives to us!  "Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in me." What amazing grace! Christ was troubled so that we might not be. This is the heart of the gospel message.

The gospel message is full of superlatives. Its importance, its magnificence, its consequences are of an incomprehensible order of magnitude. It involves love's highest expression - the unbounded love of God shown to us in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is expressed most fully at the cross of Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died for the ungodly. But at Calvary we humanity's truest colours as well. The true wickedness of the heart of man against God has been revealed. Here we see the heaviest load imaginable placed upon the Saviour himself - the load of the sin of all people, of all the ages. And one more superlative - the broadest acceptance imaginable to sinners far and wide. 

"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night" is one of the most familiar Christmas carols we hear at this time of year. How simply and beautifully it retells the amazing Christmas story to us! A 400 year silence was broken with those wonderful words, 'FEAR NOT'! And what was their glorious and urgent announcement? The promised child had been born! The Son had been sent! The Messiah had finally arrived to put away sin. And this Messiah was Himself a good shepherd, a great shepherd. 

One of the simplest explanations of the gospel is found in Romans 6 and verse 23: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Basically, that is all you need to know of the gospel message to pass from spiritual death to spiritual life. As the old adage goes: "Life is short; death is sure. Sin the cause; Christ the cure." So what is the gift of God? Well, the verse says it is eternal life. But a gift needs to be received. Have you received it yet?