What is Salvation?
To understand God’s salvation, we must first understand our need for salvation. Since Adam and Eve committed the first sin by disobeying God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden, everyone after that has been born into sin. We, like Adam and Eve, have been separated from God by our sins.
The Problem
God is perfect in His holiness. He cannot tolerate sin, cannot look upon sin, and cannot have a relationship with anyone who has sin until the penalty for that sin has been paid and the sin removed. Without someone to save us, we would pay our own penalty in the desolation of a real place called Hell … completely and eternally separated from God.“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
“for the wages of sin is death.”
The Solution
“but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Even though we were sinners, and deserved to suffer our own punishment, God loved us and sent Jesus, His sinless, only Son, to save us. Jesus loved us, and agreed to take our punishment upon Himself.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
This SALVATION that God provided to us, through faith in Jesus Christ, cannot be earned. It is a gift that only He can give.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”
Jesus died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead, so we could have the gift of salvation — eternal life in Him. We accept that gift by:
Believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for us, and that God raised Him from the dead.
Repenting: turning away from our sins.
Confessing: acknowledging our belief in Jesus, and that we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
“unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
“if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
When we accept the gift of salvation, we also receive the Holy Spirit…the Helper that Jesus promised would come, after Jesus returned to Heaven…Who lives within the heart of every believer, comforting us and teaching us how to live a Christ-centered life.
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.”
Then we acknowledge to others that we have accepted this wonderful gift of salvation, when we are buried with Christ by baptism.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Questions?
If you have any questions or think you are ready to take the huge step of following Jesus, we would be honored to help you along your journey. Please Contact Us. We would love to talk and pray with you.
What does all of this mean to me?
Are you tired of living in fear…of carrying your burdens alone? Hear Jesus’ invitation:“Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Do you want to go to Heaven when you die? Consider how God made that possible...“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Do you long to be a part of a faith family, who will help you find your way? Welcome to LifePoint!“And let us consider one another, in order to stir up love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but encouraging one another.”
How Can I Become a Christian?
For anyone to become a Christian or believe, that person must accept the truth that:
1. Everything Begins with God
This isn't up to you. Your life's purpose is bigger than your personal satisfaction, comfort, or even your happiness. It's bigger than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.If you want to know why you were born into this world, you must start with God. Because you were born by His will and for His purpose.God is not only the beginning of your life, but He is the source of it. If you are going to find your purpose in life, you must read His Word, not seek the wisdom of the world.““In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will””
2. You Are Not a Coincidence
Your birth was not a mistake or a misfortune. Your life is not a coincidence of nature. Your parents may not have intended to have you, but God intended for it to be so. He was not surprised by your birth—in fact, He expected it.God thought about you even before He created the world. In fact, that's why He created the world. God designed the environment of this world so that we can live in it.Without God, we would all be “coincidences,” the result of astronomical randomness in the universe. But with God, who created you for a reason and your life has deep meaning, we can find that meaning and purpose.“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
3. You Were Made for Eternity
Life on earth is just a dress rehearsal before the real show. This world is like the backstage, the pre-primary school, the eternal test of your life.Although life in this world offers many choices, eternity presents only two: Heaven and Hell. Your relationship with God in this life will determine your relationship with Him in eternity. If you learn to love and trust Jesus, the Son of God, you will be invited to spend all of eternity with Him. On the other hand, if you reject His love, forgiveness, and salvation, you will be separated from God forever in eternity.“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
4. Life on Earth is a Temporary Mission
The Bible is full of metaphors that teach us life on earth is short, temporary, and fleeting. If you want to live your life to the fullest, you must remember two truths: First, life is very short compared to eternity. Second, the world is only a temporary dwelling—you won't be here long. So don't get too attached to it. Ask God to help you see life on earth the way He sees it.5. God Makes Everything Have a Purpose
Everything exists for God—to display His glory, which surrounds us. We can see it everywhere, from the tiniest living organisms invisible to the naked eye to the vast expanse of the Milky Way. But humanity's sin is the refusal to give glory to God. It is loving other things more than loving God, living for our own honor rather than for His.When we break the law, we are punished. The same goes for sin. The penalty for sin is spiritual death, or separation from God. And when we leave this world, we go to hell for eternity.“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
6. What Will You Live For?
Now God invites you to live for His glory by fulfilling the purpose for which He created you. All you have to do is accept and believe in Jesus Christ.“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
Will You Accept God’s Offer?
First, “believe.” Believe that God loves you and created you for His purpose, that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for you, and that He was raised from the dead and now lives forever at the right hand of God in Heaven.Second, “receive” Jesus into your life, make Him your Lord and Savior, receive His forgiveness of your sins, receive His Spirit who will empower you to accomplish His purpose in your life.If you believe and wish to receive Jesus into your life, bow your head in prayer and say the following:“Lord Jesus Christ, I now know that You are the one and only sovereign God, and that You came down to this world to die on the cross for me. On the third day, You rose from the dead to prove that You are God—so that a sinner like me could be saved and not face judgment.
I surrender myself to You, acknowledging that I am a sinner, and I confess all of my sins with a sincere heart. Thank You for forgiving all of my sins. From this day forward, I ask You to reign over my life and lead it according to the plan You have prepared.
I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”