Salvation

Are you searching for answers to life’s most troubling questions?

In the next few moments, you can find forgiveness, a personal relationship with God, peace, freedom from guilt, wisdom, and the Father’s plan for your life.

What are the steps for you to take to discover these vital answers?

Step 1—Understand that God’s desire for you is life, abundant and eternal.

The Bible declares: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Giving you abundant life required the supreme sacrifice: "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" (John 3:16). God desires fellowship and companionship with you. What a wonderful gift the Father has given, yet if God gave His own Son to provide an abundant and everlasting life, why don’t more people have what He has designed for us to receive? It is a question answered by this sobering realization.

Step 2—Realize that you are separated from God.

There is a gap between God and mankind. He has provided a way for us to receive an abundant and eternal life, but people throughout the ages have made selfish choices to disobey God Almighty. These choices continue to cause separation from the Father. God’s Word shows us that the result of sin is death. He says in His Word: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). And God also said, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" ( Isaiah 59:2). Paul the apostle states in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." And in Romans 6:23 we read: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Every human was created with the ability and need to know God and fellowship with Him. Augustine, a minister who lived during the fourth and fifth centuries, called this longing in each of us "that God-shaped vacuum." Every day we hear of people who are rich, famous, achievers, star athletes—people who seem to have the best life can offer—yet they try to fill that empty void in their lives with "things." They even try good works, morality, and religion. Yet they remain empty, for only God, through His Son, can fill that emptiness.

Step 3—Accept the fact that God has provided only one solution to sin and separation from Himself.

Jesus Christ, His Son, is the only way to God. Only He can reconcile us to God the Father. Mankind may seek other solutions and worship other gods, but Jesus Christ, alone, died on the Cross for our sins and rose in triumph over the grave and eternal death. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and mankind. The Bible explains: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). We are also told, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). There is only one way provided: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" ( 1 Timothy 2:5). For in John 14:6 we read, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." God Almighty has provided the only way. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin and rebellion against God by dying on the cross, shedding His blood, and rising from the dead to justify and reconcile you back to God the Father.

Step 4—Receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You can be brought back to God, and your relationship with Him can be restored by trusting in Christ alone to save your life from destruction. What an incredible exchange: Your worst for God’s best! This step happens by asking Jesus Christ to take away your sin and to come into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. God’s Word is very clear: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). And the Bible tells us, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ into your heart right now? Are you willing to let go of your burdens and sins? Are you willing to turn away and repent from your sins? Are you willing to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now?

Step 5—Pray to receive Jesus Christ into your life.

At this moment you can pray the most important prayer of your life by simply saying: Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth 2,000 years ago. I believe you died for me on the cross and shed Your blood for my salvation. I believe you rose from the dead and ascended on high. I believe You are coming back again to earth. Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. Forgive my sin. Cleanse me now with Your precious blood. Come into my heart. Save my soul right now. I give you my life. I receive You now as my Savior, my Lord, and my God. I am Yours forever, and I will serve You and follow You the rest of my days. From this moment on, I belong to You only. I no longer belong to this world, nor to the enemy of my soul. I belong to You, and I am born again. Amen! By praying this prayer, confessing your sins, and receiving Jesus Christ into your heart, God has given you the right to become His forgiven child. The Bible gives you this assurance: "But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name" (John 1:12).

Get in a good bible based church.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25

Find a church that teaches directly from the Bible & surround yourself with other believers who are passionate about their faith.

Continue to Renew your mind daily with the Word.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. -Joshua 1:8 (NASB)

God's Word is a powerful tool He has given you to equip your life and walk in His Presence daily.