The Only Savior
- By Lynette Hoy
- Published 03/10/2012
The Only Savior
Many spiritual leaders lives’ have modeled impressive virtue and influence. But among them all stands one who is without equal—Jesus Christ. What makes him unique?
He Was God in the Flesh
Jesus claimed to be not only man but God: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."1 "In him [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."2 "Jesus Christ . . . alone claimed to be God in human flesh. . . . Buddha did not claim to be God; Moses never said that he was Yahweh; Muhammad did not identify himself as Allah. . . . Anyone who would dare to make such claims . . . would have to be either out of his mind or a liar, unless he was (in fact) God."3
He Died for Us and Rose from the Dead
"Christ died for our sins . . . he was raised on the third day."4 By conquering death, he proved his power to save us from our sins and to bring us safely to heaven. He was "declared to be the Son of God in power . . . by his resurrection from the dead."5
He Alone Can Absolve Our Sins
The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."6 But Jesus Christ died to bring us full pardon. You can depend on him in the same way a drowning person relies on a lifeguard for rescue. "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 [forgiven forever]."7
Instead of moral and religious effort, this forgiveness requires an admission of our sinfulness. God's forgiveness "is the gift of God, not a result of works."8 "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."9 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."10
The gift of forgiveness and eternal life with God is yours if you will receive the gift personally. "To all who did receive him [Jesus Christ], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."11
If you want to be certain you will go to heaven, just tell God so with words like these:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a guilty sinner. I believe that you died for me and that you are the only One who can help me. Please forgive me for all my sins, come into my life, and change me today. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer and would like to receive the free book: Anchor for the Soul by Pastor Ray Pritchard - write to lynettehoy@gmail.com
Lynette Hoy
1 John 14:9 2 Colossians 2:9 3 Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask about the Christian Faith 4 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 5 Romans 1:4 6 Romans 3:23 7 Romans 10:9 8 Ephesians 2:8-9 9 Romans 6:23 10 John 3:36 11 John 1:12
Scripture quotations from ESV
Summary: There have been many great spiritual leaders throughout world history, but Jesus is unique: He claimed to be God himself, he not only died for us but rose from the dead, and he alone can absolve us of our sins. He alone can take you to heaven. "Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;" John 11:25
About the author: Lynette Hoy is the founder and president of the Anger Management Institute and also of CounselCare Connection, a Christian counseling ministry. She is a crisis counselor and domestic violence advocate. She has written articles for various Christian ministries and publications including Today’s Christian Woman. She is the coauthor (with Ted Griffin) of the book What’s Good About Anger? She and her husband David are active in Wheaton Bible Church.
Lynette Hoy
Lynette J. Hoy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She is credentialed by the NBCC as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and has been granted the credential: Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor by the International Board of Christian Counselors. Lynette is designated by the National Anger Management Association as an Anger Management Supervisor, Consultant, Diplomate and Certified Anger Management Specialist-1V. She has co-authored three editions of the book: What's Good About Anger? , the Expanded 16 Lesson Workbook and authored various workbooks and training manuals. She provides anger and conflict management classes, certificate courses and seminars. Mrs. Hoy successfully completed the Domestic Violence 40-Hour Training program. She has written the Safe Relationships & domestic abuse resources with a Christian perspective for victims. She was on staff at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park as Director of LifeCare Ministries for 9 years. Lynette is a Critical Incident Stress Management provider and a crisis counselor with the Crisis Care Network providing counseling and debriefing to various companies. Contact Lynette at: 1-630-368-1880, ext. 1.
Mrs. Hoy counsels adults, adolescents, children and couples dealing with grief, depression, self-esteem, domestic abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, sexual abuse, divorce, anger, crisis, conflict, stress, spiritual, marriage, family and relationship issues.
Lynette holds a Master's Degree in Community & Family Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from North Park College. Mrs. Hoy's education also includes studies in Theology and Christian counseling from Emmaus Bible College. Lynette has been a speaker for Rapha, American Association of Christian Counselors, Evangelical Child & Family Agency, Channel 38, professional, women's and community groups and churches. She has published various articles in AACC publications, the Women Today and Godly Business Woman magazines.
Lynette presents seminars & workshops on Anger, Stress, Depression, Grief, Assertiveness, Women's issues/topics, and Divorce Recovery. She co-presents the Anger Management Institute Trainer-Specialist Workshops. Lynette and her husband, David, an Attorney, are trained instructors for PREP's "Fighting for Your Marriage" seminars. Lynette is a member in good standing with NBCC, AACC, ICA, IMHCA and NAMA professional counseling and anger management organizations. Lynette and David have one adult married daughter, Colleen, who is a Law partner with her father in their Oak Brook, IL Law Office.
It is Lynette's desire to live for Christ and to share the wonderful news of the gospel: that through faith in Jesus Christ people can know for certain their sins are forgiven, they are going to heaven and discover new meaning, hope and help for their lives right now! Lynette is the President and co-founder of CounselCare Connection, P.C. with Steve Yeschek, LCSW & the founder of the Anger Management Institute. Dr. Bedell is the Clinical Director of the Anger Management Institute and CounselCare Connection, P.C.
