Salvation
Plan of Salvation
Because God is good, He must judge each of us on the totality of our lives. As Creator of the world, God is due all honor and worship. Yet all people everywhere have rebelled against God. As a result of this judgment, we are all doomed to eternity in hell unless Someone else has paid the price for our sins (Isiah 53:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; and John 1:12).
Because of this, God does not hide the path to a relationship with Him. He wants a relationship with you. The key is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Christ came to earth to free men and women from Satan.
Jesus Christ is the only acceptable payment for our sins (1 Peter 2:24; John 3:16; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 2 Timothy 1:10; and Galatians 3:13-14). Jesus Christ paid the price on a wooden cross so we could be free from death.
A snappy prayer, raising a hand at a crusade or church, a song, or wishful thinking will not bring you into the right relationship with Jesus Christ.
Being “saved” or born “again,” in its simplest terms, is trusting in Jesus Christ, trusting Jesus enough to repent (confess your uncleanness to Jesus and turn from your ways to His) (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30-31; 1 John 1:9). Being saved is trusting Jesus’s death and resurrection for your eternal protection (Romans 10:9), trusting that Jesus died for you! Trusting Christ Jesus enough to walk with Him today (1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:17; Psalm 23).
Satan’s authority over a person’s life is destroyed when we surrender to Jesus Christ because it is Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Being saved is being born again to a new life, a new life in Jesus Christ (John 3:3). The old you washed away; the new you alive in and through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Being saved is about a relationship, not a religion (1 John 15:18; Revelation 3:20). Being saved is not about being perfect (Romans 7:15-20; Philippians 3:12). Being saved is about growing in your relationship with Jesus (Hebrews 6:1-4). You cannot buy or work your way into heaven; instead, being saved is about admitting that you cannot save yourself (Ephesians 2:8). Being saved is about surrendering your will to God’s will (Luke 9:23). A relationship with Jesus is about walking with Him in times of joy, times of sorrow, times of struggle and times of triumph (Psalm 18:2; John 14:15-18).
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your way, take up your cross daily, and follow me’ (Luke 9:23, New Living Translation).
Turn to God, calling out to God, repenting of your sins. “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:11). Accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life so that you may have a relationship with Him now and forever (Acts 2:20-46 and Romans 10:9-13).
Being a follower of Jesus Christ is more than just one-and-done. It is a life-long relationship with the Creator of the world. It is a decision every day to follow the command of your Lord and Savior. It is a process of growing and living life trusting Jesus. Following Jesus Christ does not guarantee or promise an easy life. Instead, God promises to walk with us if we are His. He will never leave you or forsake you if you are His (Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20). Do not trust in your own understanding, but in all things, depend on the Lord (Proverbs 3).
Jesus will not force anyone to follow Him (John 12:46-48). It is a choice. Jesus came the first time to destroy the works of Satan and save the lost (Luke 19:10; 1 John 3:8). However, when He returns, He will come to judge (2 Timothy 4:1). Believers to an eternal, glorious reward, and the lost (also referred to as unsaved) to everlasting damnation (Mathew 25:31-46).
Being a Believer and rejecting God are both choices. Likewise, failing to choose is also a choice; choose wisely (John 3:36).
How do we know we are saved? We take God at His word and act upon it (Luke 6:46-49; John 14:15; and 1 John 2:15-17).
The following prayer can help you get started in your conversation with Jesus. But remember, words do not save anyone. What matters is what is in the depth of your soul (heart):
Dear God, I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I reject my sinful path and surrender to Jesus Christ, the resurrected living Son of God, as the Lord and Savior of my life. Amen.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ, welcome to the family. I encourage you to:
• Tell Someone
• Get Baptized
• Study the Bible
• Pray without ceasing
• Get in and stay in a community of Believers
• Join a Christ-Centered Bible Church
Dear God, I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I reject my sinful path and surrender to Jesus Christ, the resurrected living Son of God, as the Lord and Savior of my life. Amen.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ, welcome to the family. I encourage you to:
• Tell Someone
• Get Baptized
• Study the Bible
• Pray without ceasing
• Get in and stay in a community of Believers
• Join a Christ-Centered Bible Church