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On February 19, 1945, American Marines invaded the small Pacific island of Iwo Jima. As they landed on the beach and began their painstaking grind across the island, casualties quickly mounted. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz said, “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl displayed that uncommon valor. During the fight for Mount Suribachi, Ruhl and his platoon guide climbed to the top of a Japanese bunker to direct fire on enemy troops. A grenade landed between the two marines. Ruhl yelled a warning and dove on the explosive, saving the life of his sergeant. Private Ruhl showed with his sacrifice that, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

But what about sacrificing your life to save an enemy? The Bible says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet … for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth [showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). While you were still a sinner, an enemy of God, Christ died for you.

I’m a sinner?

The Bible declares, “For all have sinned …” (Romans 3:23). But what is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law. For instance, God forbids lying. Have you ever exaggerated, twisted the truth, or plain-out lied? What about the command to keep God’s name holy: how many times have you carelessly used God’s name? You’ve probably never killed a person, but God says that hatred is murder (1 John 3:15). Even if you have sinned only once, you are still guilty of breaking God’s law. In other words, the amount of sin doesn’t matter. “For whosever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

I deserve death?

God tells us, “The wages [price or reward] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). You deserve to die for your sins. You might think, “Everybody dies at some point. What’s the big deal?” The basic meaning of death is separation. Physical death is separation of soul and body, and spiritual death is separation from God forever in Hell. “Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:5).

Jesus died for me?

God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to die for your sins. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who [Jesus] knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus paid for your sin with His death, suffering separation from God in your place, so that you could be made righteous in the sight of God. Three days later, Jesus bodily arose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Because He alone defeated death, He alone can offer eternal life (Romans 6:23b). You don’t deserve Jesus’ perfect righteousness and eternal life, but God says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a free gift, and God is showing you His great love by offering you this gift.

I have a choice?

Just as PFC Ruhl gave his life to save his sergeant, Jesus freely offers His sacrifice as payment for your sins. Won’t you depend on Jesus alone to forgive your sins and give you eternal life? Jesus said, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). Acknowledge that you’re a sinner who deserves death, believe that Jesus paid for your sins, and place your dependence on Jesus alone to save you from sin and take you to heaven when you die. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Will you accept God’s great love today?

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