I really like this sign both for its succinctness and accuracy. And that teeshirt he is wearing compliments the message perfectly. And the best part is that this young man doesn’t have to say a word. So, no one can twist his message into something that will distort it into meaninglessness. The Bible says:
1 Corinthians 15 ( World English Bible )
[1] Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
Some things everyone will agree on: The fact that life is short and that all human beings will die (common sense will tell you these things). If you think about it, there is a certain basic knowledge of right and wrong in almost everyone. Murder and extreme torture are a couple of examples that come to mind. Only the most wicked human beings would accept these things as being OK. Societies have collectively codified this basic knowledge of right and wrong into laws to reflect their moral understandings.
But, what if governments make a bad law? What if they make a law which approves of something like murder. The Germans did and the Jews were mass murdered. America has, and millions of aborted babies are the result. It is a fact that humans can be and often are wrong. So, what do we do about this- we look for an absolute standard; one that is infallible and perfect. To do this we need to turn to God. He has provided a way to live, act and think that is perfect. But the sad fact is, that people will break his laws and the consequence is death. This failure to not obey what God has told us to do The Bible refers to as sin. God sent his son Jesus to supply the remedy for sin. His blood covers our transgressions. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead proves that there can be life after death, so only a foolish person would refuse to accept his gift. In other words, as the sign says: Jesus saves. Speaking of other words, I have always loved the first Gospel (the good news of Jesus sacrifice) sermon. The apostle Peter says…
Acts 2 ( WEB )
[22] ”Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know, [23] him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; [24] whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. [25] For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. [26] Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope; [27] because you will not leave my soul in Hades* or, Hell, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. [28] You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
[29] ”Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, [31] he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades* or, Hell, nor did his flesh see decay. [32] This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. [33] Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear. [34] For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand, [35] until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ [36] ”Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
[37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” [41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
The facts: Jesus offers a way out of our sin problem (which leads to our eternal death). How we respond to those facts is enumerated in verses 37 and following.
Now, this is a lot to consider, but once you do, I think you will once again think of the message of the above picture and determine to do something about your life.
My answer:
Accept the gift, do what you must to obey and then live forever.
Yours is....
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