How to be Saved
Would You Like to Trade Places?
Trading places is not something altogether new. It is really an old idea that has been recycled. From a human standpoint we can all fantasize with whom we would like
to trade places.
One of the earliest examples of trading places, and the interesting consequences that followed, is the story of THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK by Alexander Dumas in 1848.
History’s Greatest Example and What it Teaches!
Many years ago I attended a Missionary Conference where I heard one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard.
Here is the story as related by the Missionary:
"I had not been in Sudan long when I went on a trek to a distant village to preach. Upon my return to our compound, I heard a low moan just off the trail. Going over to investigate I found a most repulsive sight. Before me, lay an aged African leper. What I saw was almost indescribable. The hands and feet were eaten away and nothing but the bleeding stumps remained. But worst of all, where the features of the face had been, these were eaten away and the inner membranes exposed.
My initial impulse was to turn and run as quickly as I could and leave that wretched thing lying there. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “That is what you looked like when the Lord first looked on you!”
Then He thrust this shattering thought into my heart:
“If you would reach down and pick up those wrists with your hands, place your feet where his two feet are, then...
horror of horrors... press your face into his face and by some miracle of transformation, you could have his foul and diseased body and he could have your body..healthy, well, and whole...
That is what Jesus Christ did for you! He traded places with you! This wonderful idea of trading places spiritually is captured in (2Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Note the reality of this verse; Jesus Christ became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God in him!
A Companion Verse
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2Corinthians 8:9)
Now, the greatest question you will ever face:
Would you like to trade places with Jesus Christ?
Here is how in a simple prayer:
“DEAR GOD, I confess that I am a sinner AND TRUST what Jesus did for me on the CROSS to save me from my sin. I ACCEPT HIM as my Savior and Lord. AMEN.”
Now, if you have prayed this prayer, and fully trusted the Savior to take away your sins, here is His assurance for you:
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; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
By Bill Compton
Would you like to talk with a counselor about being saved?
Click this link http://www.biblewalking.com/contact-us.html and give us a little information, including your
phone number and the best time to call you.
Further Reading:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our
iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself,
the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:22-23)
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
… God… now commandeth all men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:20-21)Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5) (See also: Titus 1:16)
(REPENTANCE: A change of mind that results in a change of direction and conduct.)
Trading places is not something altogether new. It is really an old idea that has been recycled. From a human standpoint we can all fantasize with whom we would like
to trade places.
One of the earliest examples of trading places, and the interesting consequences that followed, is the story of THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK by Alexander Dumas in 1848.
History’s Greatest Example and What it Teaches!
Many years ago I attended a Missionary Conference where I heard one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard.
Here is the story as related by the Missionary:
"I had not been in Sudan long when I went on a trek to a distant village to preach. Upon my return to our compound, I heard a low moan just off the trail. Going over to investigate I found a most repulsive sight. Before me, lay an aged African leper. What I saw was almost indescribable. The hands and feet were eaten away and nothing but the bleeding stumps remained. But worst of all, where the features of the face had been, these were eaten away and the inner membranes exposed.
My initial impulse was to turn and run as quickly as I could and leave that wretched thing lying there. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “That is what you looked like when the Lord first looked on you!”
Then He thrust this shattering thought into my heart:
“If you would reach down and pick up those wrists with your hands, place your feet where his two feet are, then...
horror of horrors... press your face into his face and by some miracle of transformation, you could have his foul and diseased body and he could have your body..healthy, well, and whole...
That is what Jesus Christ did for you! He traded places with you! This wonderful idea of trading places spiritually is captured in (2Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Note the reality of this verse; Jesus Christ became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God in him!
A Companion Verse
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2Corinthians 8:9)
Now, the greatest question you will ever face:
Would you like to trade places with Jesus Christ?
Here is how in a simple prayer:
“DEAR GOD, I confess that I am a sinner AND TRUST what Jesus did for me on the CROSS to save me from my sin. I ACCEPT HIM as my Savior and Lord. AMEN.”
Now, if you have prayed this prayer, and fully trusted the Savior to take away your sins, here is His assurance for you:
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; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
By Bill Compton
Would you like to talk with a counselor about being saved?
Click this link http://www.biblewalking.com/contact-us.html and give us a little information, including your
phone number and the best time to call you.
Further Reading:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our
iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself,
the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:22-23)
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
… God… now commandeth all men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:20-21)Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5) (See also: Titus 1:16)
(REPENTANCE: A change of mind that results in a change of direction and conduct.)