Salvation
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1. Recognize Your Condition
In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must admit I am lost in sin. Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God. Anytime I have done something wrong against anyone there have been consequences. Similarly, sin against God also has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The "wage" or what we earn for our sin is spiritual death, and eternal separation from God. Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." If we are honest with ourselves we are all in serious danger... |
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2. Religion and Good Works are not the Answer
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matters. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible 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." |
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3. The Good News — Jesus Christ Provides the Way!
Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and God sent His Son to die on the Cross and raise from the dead three days later. John 3:16 explains "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." Jesus is God robed in flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) he came born of a virgin, lived a perfect sinless life fulfilling all righteousness and every work of the law which we could not. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for our sins. By His grace, salvation is provided. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." |
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4. Repent and Believe in Christ and His Finished Work
In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. Repentance is simply a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. We must turn from everything we were trusting in before and trust solely in Jesus who He claimed to be according to the Scriptures and what he's done according to the Scriptures. In Roman 10:13 the Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Saviour; He will save you and give you the free gift of eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for our sin and rose from the grave to give us new life if we will trust in him. You can make that decision today by turning from your sin to Christ. |
