Salvation – What it is, What the Bible Says, and How to Receive It.
1. God’s Intentions for you: Peace and Everlasting Life
God loves you and wants you to enjoy peace and life, today and eternally. God doesn’t hate you, but He does hate sin. God loved you before you were born. He knew you’d need a Savior and sent His only Son Jesus to die in your place. Christ, who was without sin became a sin sacrifice for you.
The Word of God says…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;” – Romans 5:1
“But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
…So why don’t most of us have this peace and life that God intended for us?
2. Our dilemma: We are separated from God
We have all done things that are displeasing to God, which makes us deserving of punishment. Since all our sins are ultimately against an eternal God, only an eternal punishment is sufficient.
The Word of God says…
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” – (Romans 6:23).
“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
“But your sins have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
Our attempt to end the separation between God and us
Many people have tried to bridge the chasm between themselves and God. Doing good works or being a “good person” will not save you. Only the sacrifice of the Messiah, Jesus, can atone for your sins.
God’s Word says…
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
…Nothing will redeem and unite us back to God…except Jesus Christ.
3. Only Jesus can end our separation from God
God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. Jesus was crucified on the Cross for your sin. Sin and death could not hold Him and He rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for sin so you didn’t have to. He is the bridge between us and God.
The Word of God says…
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
“Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;” – 1 Peter 3:18
God has provided the way. We have the freedom, now in this life, to make a choice.
4. Accepting God’s Invitation: Receiving the Lord Jesus Christ
You have a choice to serve sin or serve God. Sin leads to death, eternal death. But if you put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will live, forever.
Jesus says…
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
“But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in His name.” – John 1:12
“That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
What will you choose? Life or death?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
Will you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior right now?
Here is how you can receive Jesus Christ and the free gift of Salvation:
1. Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
2. Be willing to repent (change your mind) about your sin.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried and rose from the dead.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and take control of your life. Receive Him as your Lord, Savior, and Mediator between you and God.
A suggested prayer (try to use your own words from the heart and remember simply repeating a prayer does not save you – you have to genuinely mean it):
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lord I know I have sinned against you and stand in judgement. I need your forgiveness, I need Jesus. I know Jesus can be my Savior. I repent of my sins today. I turn back to You and ask You to come into my life and be my Lord and my Savior. I put my trust and hope in Jesus Christ and accept the free gift of salvation you have provided in Him. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen
Rejoice in the Lord!
If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all your heart…
God says…
For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.” – Ephesians 2:8,9
If you received Christ today, you are reborn into God’s family through the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer in Christ. Rejoice that your name has been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Today is the beginning of your new life in Christ. To help strengthen your relationship with Him you should:
1. Read your Bible everyday.
2. Talk to God in prayer everyday.
3. Tell others about Jesus Christ.
4. Find a church where Christ is preached and His Word is the authority.
5. Be baptized as Christ commanded.
We’d love to hear from you.
If you’ve been blessed by Eternal Life Ministries or if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know by reaching out to us on the contact page.
God Bless!