Do You Accept the Offer?

Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age …

Did you read the verse correctly? “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”  Yes, Father God offers salvation to everyone … to all people!  But a response is required: Acceptance or Rejection. Yes, an offer is not “activated” until a response is given … a decision is made. Let’s think about that for a moment….

Through the Gospel, we understand that Jesus was sent from heaven by the Father to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Abraham, the father of faith, prophesied unto Isaac: “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering (sin offering), my son.” (Cf. Genesis 22:8) And when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him for baptism, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (Cf. John 1:29) As Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9) Yes, Jesus is the grace of God that has appeared.  He is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world (Cf. Revelation 13:8) … whom God set forth as a propitiation (sacrifice for sin) by His blood through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” (Cf. Romans 3:25) The Apostle John testified that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also the whole world. (1 John 2:2) Therefore, like Peter, we can conclude that Jesus is ‘the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ (Quoting Psalm 118:22) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Cf. Acts 4:11-12)

Jesus Himself affirmed: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Cf. John 14:6) But there is still requirement for a person to accept His offer of salvation – namely, a person must believe Him and receive His gift of eternal life. Contrary to the conclusion of many liberal theologians and false teachers, Jesus did not accomplish universal salvation on the cross. To be clear, Jesus accomplished eternal atonement for sin on the cross; however, not everyone inherits eternal life through His sacrifice. Only those who believe in Him … who accept Him as Savior and Lord will receive the salvation offered by God the Father. The Apostle John made this quite clear:

John 3:16-20 (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

And Jesus asserted a decision regarding Him MUST be made:

John 12:44-48 (NIV)

⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵ The one who looks at me is seeing the One who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. ⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. ⁴⁹ For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. ⁵⁰ I know that His command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Jesus taught that there WILL be a separation of people.  He will separate people on the basis of their response to Him. See Matthew 13:47-52 and Matthew 25:31-46.  A person either receives (accepts) or rejects His gracious offer. And there will be a judgment! Indeed, all people will stand before Him in the judgment with regard to their decision to accept or reject Him. (Cf. Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12) And it will be that those who reject Jesus and do not accept His Word will continue to remain in condemnation for their sin and rebellion. Think about it. “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Cf. Hebrews 2:2-4)

It is vital that we hear, understand, and apply His Word to our hearts. For we know that His command leads to eternal life! Indeed, it is the Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and Jesus will raise them up at the last day. (Cf. John 6:40) And here is another scripture to support the point: “After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (Cf. John 17:1-5)

So what does the offer of salvation entail?  Acceptance of Jesus (Believe in Him) … His Sacrifice (Atonement for Sin) … and His Word (Light and Wisdom for Life)! Jesus told His followers, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (Cf. John 14:15) So, yes, there is a response that goes even beyond mental ascent of His identity and claims … it is devotion and obedience.  Paul stated it this way: The grace of God, demonstrated in the salvation He accomplished through the sacrifice of His Son, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. (Cf. Titus 2:12-14) Yes, our response … our acceptance of the offer will be seen in our desire to live in holiness … to be set apart unto the One who has saved us and given us eternal life. All I can say is: “What an Offer!”

So Now You Know ….

Have a Blessed Day!