It is not a Religion to profess.
It is not a Church to join.
It is not a creed to accept.
You may have all these, and yet be without the salvation of God.
Salvation is deliverance from judgment, and emancipation from sin.
It is a known and enjoyed justification from the guilt of sin.
It is freedom from the mastery of Satan, the dominion of sin, and the claims of the law.
It was for this end that Jesus came. The word first uttered by the angel on the plain of Bethlehem was, "Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:1111For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)).
It is not a Helper, but a Savior, that sinners need, and it is such a Savior that God has provided. "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:1717For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)).
Reader, if ever you are saved at all, it must be by Jesus Christ. There is no other Savior. Neither reformation nor religion can save. Neither sacraments, prayers, nor works can do it. "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord" (Psa. 3:88Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalm 3:8)), and His Word is, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (Ex. 14:1313And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (Exodus 14:13)).
Are you willing to be saved in this way and on these terms?