The importance of Christ

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

How important is it to believe in Jesus?

God loves everyone; He sent Jesus to die for us all. But some people take this truth and run with it in the wrong direction. Their reasoning goes like this: "If God loves everyone, and Jesus died for everyone, then everyone will go to heaven." Regrettably, that conclusion is not true.

God wants everyone to be free from sin and live with Him forever. Jesus made this possible; He did everything needed to forgive our sins. But our sins are not forgiven unless we ask them to be. I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:32)

Jesus is the only way for sinful people to approach the holy God and be welcome. We have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1). But Jesus only speaks in defense of those who are His friends. When asked Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? Jesus said, Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, `Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, `I don't know you' (Luke chapter 13).

Without Jesus, heaven is closed to us. Our Lord said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). The apostles said, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. God has appointed the Savior to be our go-between with heaven; this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23).

In Mark chapter one Jesus said, repent and believe the Good News! Forgiveness is free to anyone who asks for mercy in Jesus’ name, trusting that His blood poured out in death washes away our sins and gives us new life. There is no other requirement—just trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He forgives your sins so you can live with Him forever in paradise.