Salvation. This word can be used in many ways. You can be saved from financial ruin, a bad relationship or a dangerous situation. In Christianity however, salvation means one thing…deliverance from sin and death.
* This salvation comes from a loving God.
“ For 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.” John 3:16
* God’s plan is that you might live a full and abundant life in relationship with Him.
“ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
* In order to live this abundant life and be saved from sin and death, a person must first realize that he is a sinner.
“ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
* Because of this sin, man has been separated from God.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Our loving God has provided a way for us to be in a right standing with Him, and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ.
He died for us:
“ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
He rose from the dead:
“ For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.” Romans 6:9
He is our way to God:
“ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
* Christ’s death on the cross was atonement for the sins of the world. Through His death, believers in Him are now righteous in the eyes of the Lord. There comes a point though, where we must accept and receive this gift and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
“ Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12
* Receiving this gift of forgiveness does not come by actions. There is absolutely nothing that we can do in order to be righteous before God, and it is only through faith that we are saved.
“ For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
* This is what salvation is: it is the acceptance of and faith in Christ’s death on the cross to cover our sins. It is now Christ that lives in you, and it is Christ that makes you righteous before God.
“ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
If you have not yet entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ you can receive Christ right now, by faith through prayer. 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, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I surrender my life to you, and I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be.”
(This document was copied from the website of North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, GA)
