One Blood

The biblical answer to racism

by Ken Ham, Dr Don Batten and Dr Carl Wieland

Chapter 11

How to become a member of the last Adam’s ‘race’

As we have clearly shown, we are all of one race. Because the Bible’s account of the history of the human race is true, each person needs to be confronted with the consequences of our history.

The Bible tells us that we have inherited a sinful (rebellious) nature from the first man Adam which separates us from our Creator. We are all in need of salvation, which comes from the last Adam, Jesus Christ (our Creator who stepped into history to be our Savior). We can receive the free gift of salvation resulting in eternal life with our Creator.

The Bible says there are five things we need to know about receiving eternal life.

1. Eternal life (heaven) is a gift. The Bible says: ‘The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Rom. 6:23). Like any other genuine gift, it is not earned or deserved. No amount of personal effort, good works or religious deeds can earn a place in heaven.

   The Bible also states in Ephesians 2:8–9 that ‘For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.’

   Why is it that no-one can earn his or her way to heaven? It is because …

2. All humans are sinners: ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23).

   Sin is transgressing God’s law and includes such things as lying, lusting, cheating, deceit, anger, evil thoughts, immoral behavior and more. Because we are sinners, we cannot save ourselves. In fact, do you know how good you would have to be to save yourself by your own good deeds? Matthew 5:48 declares: ‘Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.’

   Perfection is such a high standard that no-one can save himself. However, in spite of our sin …

3. God is merciful: 1 John 4:8 says that ‘God is love’ and in Jeremiah 31:3 He says, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.’

   Because God loves us, He doesn’t want to punish us. God, however, is also just and therefore must punish sin. He says: ‘Who will by no means clear the guilty’ (Exod. 34:7) and ‘The soul that sins, it shall die’ (Ezek. 18:4).

   We have a problem! Despite God’s love for us, His justice demands that He must punish our sin. But there is a remedy …

4. Jesus Christ is the solution. The Bible tells us that Christ is the infinite God-Man. ‘In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was God. … And the Word [Jesus] became flesh, and tabernacled among us’ (John 1:1–14).

   Jesus Christ—the last Adam—came to earth and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place for us in heaven. ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, each one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all’ (Isa. 53:6).

   Jesus Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross and now offers you eternal life (heaven) as a gift (1 Pet. 2:24). How?

5. This gift is received by faith. Faith is the key that opens the door to heaven. Many people, however, mistake two things for saving faith:
   1. Believing that an intelligent designer or creator exists. However, the Bible says that even the devil believes in God (James 2:19); therefore, just believing in God is not saving faith.
   2. Having temporal faith, such as trusting God to solve temporary crises, including financial, family or physical needs. While it is good to trust Christ to meet these needs, this is not saving faith.
   Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting upon Christ alone and what He has done on the cross, rather than what you or I have done. ‘And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your household’ (Acts 16:31).

The question that God would ask of non-believers is: Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life? You would need to transfer your trust from what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on His cross, and then confess, ‘Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved’ (Rom. 10:9).

Acts 3:19 says that you should ‘Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out.’ Repentence is not only a heartfelt, sorrowful remorse for past sins, but also a change of mind, which is proven by a changed life.

If you wish to repent, have your sins blotted out, and receive Christ as Savior, here is a suggested prayer:

Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But I believe You died to pay for my sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place in heaven for me.

Lord Jesus, come into my life—take control of my life—forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You alone for my salvation. I desire to receive the free gift of eternal life.

If you have prayed this prayer of repentance, and sincerely meant it, you have received the gift of eternal life! You are now a child of God—and no-one can take that from you—forever.

Just as a newborn baby grows physically, so now you need to grow spiritually. Read your Bible, starting perhaps with the Gospel of John, reading at least one chapter a day. Then read the first 11 chapters of the foundational book of Genesis. Also, spend some time talking (praying) with God.

It is also important that you regularly attend a Bible-believing church that honors Christ and teaches that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is authoritative for every aspect of your life (2 Tim. 3:15). Seek the fellowship of Christians that can help you grow in your faith. And as you grow, tell others what Christ means to you.

If you have found new life through Christ through this book, please write Creation Ministries International.