What would you say to someone who is not a Christian?
I would say that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, that He is the eternal Son of God who was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless and perfect life, went to the cross, and was lifted up to die, bearing the sins of everyone who would believe in Him.
Through His own death, Christ satisfied the wrath of God. He reconciled holy God to sinful man and redeemed us. He bought us out of the slave market of sin and took our sins far away. He was taken down from the cross, buried in a borrowed tomb, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. He came out of that tomb a risen, victorious Savior. He has ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the day is coming when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Everyone has a choice. Either bow the knee right now or reject the gospel. If you confess your sin and throw yourself upon His mercy, you will discover that He is the friend of sinners and that He will embrace you in His heart of love, forgive you, and take you to heaven when you die. However, if you reject the gospel, your blood is on your own hands. The day of judgment is coming when the books will be opened, and every deed and every thought will be made evident. God will demand absolute perfection from you, but you will have fallen short. You will bow the knee and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and then you will be cast into hell forever.
Believe, today, in the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is the Savior of sinners. There are many roads to hell, but there is only one road to heaven, and it is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Throw yourself upon His mercy, believe in Him, entrust your soul to Him. Jesus says, “Him who comes unto Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Jesus says, “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Learn of me. I am meek and lowly in heart. You shall find rest for your souls. For My burden is easy and My yoke is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).
If you come to Christ and believe in Him, He will receive you, forgive you, and take you to heaven when you die. That is the gospel truth.
This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with Steven Lawson and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.