Articles
The Signs Are Gone, The Message Is Not
Back in the 60's, 70's and probably into the 80's, you used to could drive down the streets, country roads, highways and even interstate highways, and see at different locations signs that said 'JESUS SAVES'.
I've not seen one in years, but that message is just as true as it ever was. I wish there were more signs like that, but we all know they get vandalized or someone gets sued for posting them. I do like seeing, especially on emergency vehicles, 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. But while I like seeing that, it's not the same message as 'JESUS SAVES'.
"JESUS SAVES" tells the story about God, Christ and their love for mankind, the plan that was in effect before time began to justify us, the grace and love of our Savior through His death, and so much more. It tells the divine side of things, what God did and continues to do for mankind, not a statement of our support for God, although as I said, both are good!
Jesus does save, and ONLY Jesus saves. He tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..."
In John 10, we read these words of Jesus, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—..."
"JESUS SAVES" means He gives life (eternal) as well as abundant life on this earth, and He makes us sheep of His pasture. He knows us, intimately, and after we trust and obey Him, we grow to know Him as well. Jesus hasn't abandon us to fend for ourselves, but in fact, laid down His life to save us from eternal punishment that we deserve because of our sin. Jesus justifies us, and washes us clean through His blood, His life in exchange for ours, in order to rescue us from eternal damnation, something we don't hear preached much about anymore either!
"JESUS SAVES" should be posted everywhere as far as I'm concerned, because He still does, and as long as this world continues, He will save all who hear and believe in Him (Rom 10:17, John 8:32, Heb 11:6, John 20:31), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30), confess Him as the Son of God (Rom 10:10, Matt 10:32), and wash their sins away with His blood through baptism (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Gal 3:27, Mark 16:16). I wish those signs still hung on a few barbed wire fences and corner mail boxes, or were painted on some old abandon car or barn, and I wish more people still spread that message, because the message we teach, the Good News, the Gospel of Christ can be summed up in two words, "JESUS SAVES!"
