Jesus - the only Saviour

by Ludvig Karlsen

«For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - ..» (Eph 2,8)
To be saved is to recieve a gift without really having deserved it. A gift bestowed on us by our heavenly Father; a gift of grace in his son Jesus Christ.

On Calvary's Cross, Jesus won for us an everlasting victory at his crying of the famous words: «It is finished!» That`s also the reason why he completely saves those who call on his name.

Salvation is not the reward for the perfect lifestyle, that fulfils the requirements of the law. You may give away all your possessions. You may even sacrifice yourselves by giving your very life for others, or struggle to fulfil the commandments of all religions in the world. None of these actions can save you. Salvation is first and foremost a gift of grace by faith, and whoever calls on Jesus` name shall be saved.

In the gospel according to St. John 1, verse 12 it says: «Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God». You are therefore invited to come to Jesus today - at his bosom you will find salvation and rest.

My wife Lise and I, and the rest of my family had first to be saved, accepting the grace and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ, before God could use us. It is my dearest and most sincere wish that you - as a reader of this book - also may be able to experience a personal encounter with your heavenly Father, either as one who is not yet saved or as a christian who needs to recommit your life. Accordingly, this book is not documented evidence on man`s great capacity and potential to achieve, but rather a testimony concerning the Lord's desire and ability to enter our miserable lives. Considering what he did for Lise and me - how he could change our lives so radically - we will both praise him from the very depths of our hearts. May God bless you, finding you suitable to work for his sake - as long as you live!

Ludvig Karlsen

Preface

by Knut Sørsdal

Ludvig Karlsen is today considered one of Norway`s leading evangelists. How can a man - with only a few years of primary education - reach such a position? Ludvig Karlsen never attended a Bible school, nor did he attend any seminary, briefly prepared by a few months in sunday school, before going about preaching the gospel. What was his background? How is it that he has achieved such brilliant success? In this book we have tried to give an answer. Following Ludvig Karlsen from his childhood, we will conclude with his latest activities as the leader of the Norwegian Gospel Centers.

Being faced with his outstanding achievements in the service of the Lord, one must admit that Ludig Karlsen`s lifework really is the work of God himself. And it is our dearest and most sincere wish that these activities will continue and expand in the years to come.

Undoubtedly, God has selected the right person - a man who possesses great personal character, including a courageous mind. Thus God has picked out an effective instrument for the execution of his will. Ludvigs administrative talents and ability to inspire others cannot be ignored. Nor can his ability as a speaker be questioned. Although his many years as a social outcast deprived him of a good education, his life has really become a brilliant success story. The lifework of Ludvig Karlsen is thus, above all, the result of God`s good will and mercy towards man. The Lord has really completed his work in fragility!

In the light of all this, the major message of this book is not what man`s own capacity can lead to, but rather a description of God`s endless grace and love towards his living subjects. To those who have experienced a life in misery and constant battle, God`s mercy and his will to forgiveness represents a saving alternative. This book, therefore, is a documented evidence of the fact that our Saviour`s death on the Cross is still powerful and relevant for man today.
Knut Sørsdal