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 accept the gift of salvation and begin living a Christ-centered life, we would be honored to help you along your journey. Please email or call us at 615.459.3311. We would love to listen to you, talk with you, 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.”
Are you ready to accept the free gift of salvation?
You can begin here
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Believe that Jesus died for your sins.
Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, and now lives forever at the right hand of God in Heaven.
Turn away from your sins, and commit yourself to Jesus Christ and His ways.
Tell someone that you are now a believer in Christ.
Contact us at LifePoint for information about baptism and other ways you can begin your new life with Christ.