I. INTRODUCTION
A. Words are meaningful and significant. Sometimes the most significant words are the smallest ones, such as “if” or “not.”
B. One such small word that is very prominent and significant in the teachings of Jesus is the word “unless.”
1. Some translations of the Bible use the word “except” instead of “unless,” but the meaning and application are the same.
2. Sometimes the word “unless” shows a condition.
3. Sometimes the word “unless” shows an exception to a rule.
C. The word “unless” is so significant in the Lord’s teachings that by studying only a few sayings of Jesus that contain the word “unless,” one can learn what he must do in order to be saved from his sins.
II. UNLESS…
A. In each passage and point that we consider, let us notice the rule that is stated by the Lord and the exception to that rule, which the Lord designates by saying “unless.”
B. Unless you are converted…
1. “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3)
a. The rule is “you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
b. The exception is “unless you are converted.”
2. To convert is to turn. This indicates a change of direction or position.
a. In this passage, the Lord teaches that our conversion to Him should give us the likeness of little children. Followers of Jesus are expected to put on the good, pure, and innocent qualities of childhood.
b. Many attend churches and practice religion but are not converted to Christ. They hold to a “form of godliness,” but their religion is not genuine (consider 2Timothy 3:1-5).
c. Conversion requires a genuine change that is not merely external. It is a complete change of allegiance and priorities.
3. Conversion to Christ is essential for anyone to enter the kingdom of heaven. No one who remains in stubborn rebellion against God will be given entrance.
C. Unless you believe…
1. “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
a. The rule is “you will die in your sins.”
b. The exception is “unless you believe that I am He.”
2. One must truly believe in Christ so as to affect a real change.
a. This belief is not simply acknowledging Christ’s identity, but it is also to believe all of His words.
b. Belief in Him will manifest itself through the actions we take and the words that we speak.
3. Those who fail to believe in Christ shall die in their sins, separated from God forever.
D. Unless you repent…
1. “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
a. The rule is “you will all likewise perish.”
b. The exception is “unless you repent.”
2. Repent literally means “to perceive afterwards”, which implies a change of mind resulting from a new understanding.
a. In order to be saved, one must turn from sin and do what is right. A sinner’s mind about his previous conduct must be changed so that he sees his error and corrects his ways.
b. In becoming a Christian, one must turn his whole life toward God. A penitent person not only ceases from sin, but he also seeks after God.
3. Without repentance, eternal death is our only possible fate.
E. Unless one is born of the water and the Spirit…
1. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the
a. The rule is “he cannot enter into the
b. The exception is “unless one is born of water and the Spirit.”
2. The new birth of water and the Spirit takes place when a believer is baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
a. By saying “born of water,” Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the act of baptism, or immersion in water, was the mode of new birth required to see the kingdom of God (see John 3:1-5).
b. By saying “born of the Spirit,” Jesus indicated that the new birth is spiritual rather than physical as man’s spirit is renewed by the Holy Spirit.
c. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
3. Without the new spiritual birth, no one can enter the
F. Unless you eat and drink…
1. So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.” (John 6:53)
a. The rule is “you have no life in yourselves.”
b. The exception is “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood.”
2. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)
a. The Lord used the figures of food and drink to represent Himself in this teaching.
b. The meaning of these words is spiritual (John 6:63). Many who heard Jesus on this occasion interpreted His teachings literally, but He was speaking of belief in Him (see John 6:47).
3. Without the bread of life, man starves to death spiritually. Thus, there is no spiritual life in man without Jesus just as there is no physical life in man without food and drink.
G. Unless your righteousness surpasses…
1. “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:20)
a. The rule is “you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
b. The exception is “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees.”
2. Our righteousness must be the genuine righteousness of faith.
a. The righteousness of the Pharisees was outward only. Notice Matthew 15:7-9; 23:25-28.
b. Such superficial righteousness may deceive many on earth, but it will not deceive God. Genuine righteousness must be that which results from a true faith in Christ through His gospel (Rom. 1:16-17).
3. Without righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, no one will enter the kingdom of heaven. Christ is the one who grants entrance, and He will not be deceived (Matt. 7:21-23).
III. CONCLUSION
A. By considering the Lord’s use of this one small word, we have learned the following:
1. Unless you are converted, and…
2. Unless you believe, and…
3. Unless you repent, and…
4. Unless you are baptized, and…
5. Unless you partake of the bread of life, and…
6. Unless your righteousness is genuine, then…
7. YOU WILL BE LOST!!!
B. Therefore, be converted, believe, repent, be baptized, and partake of the bread of life, so that you will be saved in Jesus Christ.