The Ultimate Welfare Program

Many governments in the world have welfare programs that help provide for the poor. I would like to introduce you to the absolute best program — the ultimate in welfare assistance.
This program takes the poorest of the poor and gives them assistance all through this life, so that they are maintained in a state of supernatural well-being. “Well-being” is another word that has an almost identical meaning to welfare. Unlike other welfare programs, which are terminated at death, this ultimate welfare program will keep on giving. Those enrolled can look forward to the time when they will receive full benefits.
Welfare systems are expensive, and many governments are hard pressed because of limited resources. But this ultimate welfare system has access to a never-ending supply of wealth. In fact, it is so well-funded that every person in the world could make as many demands on it for as long as they want, and the supply of wealth would still be limitless.
Also, this welfare system extends across all international borders. No matter what country a person may come from, all are invited to enroll and start receiving benefits immediately. In truth, the One in charge wants all people to take what He freely offers.
Sometimes welfare systems have the unintended effect of making people behave like victims and become dependent on handouts. But the ultimate system takes the poor and weak and makes them strong. It is completely honorable to seek this assistance. The only dishonor is to refuse it.
Are you ready to enroll? God’s grace is the “Ultimate Welfare Program,” because it takes the poorest of the poor — sinners — and gives them the most joyful welfare possible to humankind — eternal life.
It just so happens that every member of the human race ranks as the poorest of the poor spiritually, because not one of us can work our way to heaven. We can’t get to heaven without God’s grace. Sin has infected our nature. It has made us ill-willed where we ought to have good will towards others, including God, and unsettled our heart so that our desires are out of order. Because of these ill effects of sin, each one of us needs God’s grace in our lives. Only God has the ability to undo these ill effects. God’s grace, when put into our hearts, begins to bring healing to our souls.
Grace is God’s supernatural favor given to those who don’t deserve it in any way. You can have all the wealth in the world, but if you don’t know the love of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, you are not “faring well,” because you are still in your sins and headed to a lost eternity.
To enter heaven, a person must receive God’s grace, not earn it. This is because a person can’t, by his own efforts, remove the serious consequences of sin from his life. He can’t remove the stain of sin from his soul. He can’t bring order into his desires. He can’t pay the debt of everlasting punishment his sins deserve. Only by God’s grace can these evil consequences be removed.
On the cross, the Son of God gave His life so that His blood might wash away our sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanse[s] us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
In His body, as He hung on the cross, He bore the punishment for the sins of all those who would believe on Him. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)).
By God’s grace, we can live our lives properly. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-1211For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11‑12)).
The riches of God’s grace will never run dry. If the entire world were to trust in Him for salvation, there would be an abundance of grace for each one. And that is what we all need — an abundance of grace.
God is deeply concerned about your welfare, and that includes your eternal welfare. Won’t you consider how much He loves you and then receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). Your name will be written in the Book of Life when you do, and when this life is over, you will be welcomed into heaven!
But God’s offer of grace will expire. You’ll discover what that means if you continue on to read Ready.