Salvation
STEP 1- God's Purpose:
Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal.
The Bible says...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1, NKJV).
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now, why are most people not experiencing these?
STEP 2- Our Problem:
Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him, but gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
The Bible Says...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Our choice results in separation from God.
Our Attempts
Through the ages, individuals have tried in many ways to bridge this gap...without success.
The Bible says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12, NIV).
"But our iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2, NKJV).
There is only one remedy for this problem of separation.
STEP 3- God's Remedy:
The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the Cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.
The Bible says...
(Paraphrase) "God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together" (1 Timothy 2:5).
"For Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18).
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us: (Romans 5:8, NIV).
God has provided the only way. We must make the choice.
STEP 4--Our Response:
Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ and receive Him by personal invitation.
The Bible says...
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20, NKJV).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?
How to receive Christ
Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
What to pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus' Name. A-men.
If you prayed this prayer and meant it,
The Bible says...
"Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV).
Now what? After inviting Christ into your life, you need to be continually growing in God's Word with other Christian believers. You can begin doing this immediately by attending a Bible-believing, Christian church on a regular basis. Your involvement in a local church will help you and your family. You will begin to grow in the understanding of your new decision to live in and for Jesus Christ. And, be sure to continue visiting us. Let us know how things are going. We will do all we can to help you in your new life in Christ. God bless!
