Have you ever given thought to the sounds that make you happy? Maybe it is the sound of birds singing in the woods. It might be the sound of a well-tuned engine in your favorite automobile. Grandparents would probably say the laughing of their grandchildren causes them to be happy. It might be a favorite song that you associate with a happy place like hearing Rocky Top in Neyland Stadium, which is something that makes me happy as I watch games with my family.
There is an old hymn written by Priscilla Jane Owens entitled We Have Heard the Joyful Sound. We sang it a lot when I was a little kid at the Allons Church of Christ in Overton County. It was number 227 in the books there, and this is how the first verse reads:
We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
Bear the news to every land;
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward – ‘tis our Lord’s Command;
Jesus Saves, Jesus saves!
The other three verses express similar truths around the marvelous theme – Jesus Saves!
As people who have sin in our lives, and all of us do according to Romans 3:23, the greatest sound should be hearing that Jesus saves. This is why the word Gospel literally means good news. There is no better news than this. In the Gospel, we can partially understand how much God loves us and what a great price Jesus paid to save us from our sins.
The first thing we must realize is that Jesus is the only one who can save us. I cannot save myself, and you cannot save yourself on your own. Parents cannot save their children, and children cannot save their parents. No matter how much you may love someone else, the fact remains that only Jesus can save.
Do you remember when you first realized you had sin in your life? I do, it was both the worst and best feeling in the world. It was the worst because I knew I was lost and separated from God, but it was the best because I knew that Jesus could save me if I obeyed Him.
Once you realize there is sin in your life, then you need to understand and follow the plan of salvation in order to be saved. You have probably heard this plan, but in case you have not then let’s go over it now.
First, you must hear the word of God as Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Second, you must believe as Mark 16:16 says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Third, you must repent as Acts 2:38 states, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Fourth, you must confess the name of Jesus with your mouth as Romans 10:9 tells us, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Fifth, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins as Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 teach as listed above.
Then, you must live a faithful Christian life to God until you die. That is how Jesus saves, and that is the only way to be saved. The beautiful thing about Jesus saving us is that if we as Christians slip up, which we inevitably will, He will continue to forgive us if we ask and pray and repent according to I John 1:9.
I am very thankful that I had those who loved me who shared with me this joyful sound about how Jesus saves. Now, I have the duty, and so does every Christian, to tell this wonderful news to others that Jesus saves.
“This our song of victory – Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”