The word Salvation" is mentioned throughout Scripture with a few terms that you may recognize. "Saved, Born Again and Born from Above" are the most common.
What does it mean to be saved? There are many definitions of the word salvation, but we are going to focus on what the Bible has to say.
First - and formost. When a person accepts their salvation by the grace of God through faith, it means that you become a child of God, and you are assured of going to Heaven, spending eternity in Gods presence.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is 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 (NIV).
This verse is pretty clear. Salvation is a gracious gift from God, received by your faith. Not by Works means there is Nothing You Can Do To EARN Your Salvation.
You see, it doesn't matter if you are a good person, if you have a good heart, if you help others, go to church, teach Bible studies, give to charities etc... These are all WORKS of man, and it's just not possible for you to earn your salvation through these things.
Of course the Bible says that Good Works are a Good Thing, and they actually help to build our faith and keep our eyes focused on God. But is is
Very Clear that we can't earn salvation with works (also described as human effort).
There is Only ONE WAY to be Saved !
Remember, a person who is TRULY Saved has the Assurance of
going to Heaven when they leave this world. The following scriptures are just a few of the many verses that show "The One Way"!
Matthew 1:21: She (the virgin Mary) will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins (NIV).
Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved (NIV).
Acts 10:43: All the prophets testify about Him (Jesus) that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name (NIV).
John 14:6: Jesus says, "I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (NIV).
So now you know there is only ONE way to Salvation. And that is by the Grace of God, Faith and Jesus Christ - as your personal Lord and Savior.
Why Do We Need To Be Saved ?
We can Answer this Question with Four Spritual Laws. Just as there are Physical Laws that Govern the Physical Universe, so there are Spiriual Laws that Govern Your Relationship with God
Law 1 - God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
John 3:16: God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (NIV).
John 10:10: [Jesus Speaking] I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly [that it might be full and meaningful] (NIV).
Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?
Because...
Law 2 - Man is Sinful and Seperated from God. Therefore, he can not know and Experience Gods Love and Plan for his Life.
Romans 3:23: All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God (NIV).
Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his own stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independant way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
Romans 6:23: The wages of sin is death [spiritual seperation from God] (NIV).
The third law explains how we can end that spiritual seperation...
Law 3 - Jesus Christ is Gods ONLY Provision for mans sin. Through Him you can know and Experience Gods Love and Plan for Your Life.
Romans 5:8: God demonstrated His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (NIV).
1 Corinthians 15:3-6: Christ died for our sins... He was buried... He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures... He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred... (NIV).
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me (NIV).
God gave us a way to end our spiritual seperation from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.
But, it's not enough just to know these three laws...
Law 4 - We must Individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior
John 1:12: As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,even to those who believe in His name (NIV).
Ephesians 2:8-9: By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast (NIV).
When we Receive Christ
We Experience a New Birth
John 3:1-8:
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (NIV).
We Accept our Salvation in Christ by His Personal Invitation
Revalation 3:20: [Christ Speaking] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him (NIV).
OK, let's clarify this verse when it comes to asking Jesus into your life. This is a verse that many will use to mislead people into thinking they are saved.
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be.
Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience.
We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.
Which circle best represents your life ?
Which circle would you like to have represent your life ?
You Can Receive Christ Right Now Through Prayer
[Prayer is talking with God]
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the Attitude of your Heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus in Heaven, I need You.
Thank You for dying on the cross and giving up Your life for my sins.
I now want to give up my life for you.
I surrender my life and lifestyle to You as Lord.
I need You to be Lord over my spirit, soul and body.
I open the door of my life and receive You as my Lord and Savior.
Take control of the throne of my life.
Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart ?
If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer from your heart, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised !
I suggest that you re-read this page several times until you know for sure that you are ready to give your life into the hands of
Jesus Christ.
