Salvation

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
IS SALVATION IMMEDIATE OR FUTURE? The thief on the cross, like many now-a-days, begged for a future salvation— “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom” — but “today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise,” was the gracious word of Christ, assuring him of a present salvation. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment); but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). Mark the threefold link, Heareth, Believeth, Hath. My reader, have you heard Christ’s gracious words? (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16), and similar portions.) Do you believe on God, who gave Jesus, and hath raised Him up from the dead? If so, eternal life is yours; “hath everlasting life” is His own word—not “will have it,” or “may have it.” No, “HATH” is the word assuring thee of the present possession of eternal life. Salvation is now—it is immediate—not future.1