Salvation

Before we answer the question “How can I be saved?”we need to identify three biblical truths that fight the heresy of man-empowered salvation.

1. No one is saved by their works. (Ephesians 2:8-9 )”For 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, so that no one may boast.” Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
2. No one is saved by their righteousness. (Romans 3:23) “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  It’s not about the magnitude of our sin or the multitude of our sin. It is about the nature of sin itself. Sin separates us from God.
3. No one is saved by their decision. John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you.” John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” Salvation originates in the sovereign will of God and is implemented by His grace. (Acts 13:48, Romans 8:29, Eph. 1:3-7, 2 Timothy 2:10, Titus 1:1, 1 Peter 1:11.)

Two barriers that keep us from grasping salvation through individual efforts are:

1. We are spiritually dead and unable to respond to God. (Ephesians 2:1) “you were dead in your trespasses and sin.” Dead people don’t act. To be spiritually dead means that we are unable to respond to God on our own. The Holy Spirit must first open our heart and eyes to respond to the gospel.
2. We can be so easily deceived. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Satan and his demons are actively involved in deceiving people so they do not see the light of God’s truth.

• You and I were created for a relationship with God. (Genesis 2-3)
• Our sin separates us from that relationship. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23)
• There is nothing we can do to reconcile this relationship on our own. (Ephesians 2:1-9)
• Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. (Romans 5:8-10, Ephesians 2:13-16, 1 John 4:9-10)
• Jesus rose from the dead that we might have life. (1 Peter 1:3)
• Jesus offers eternal life to those who will repent of their sin by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 17:3, Acts 2:38) 

John 3:36 tells us that “he who believes in the Son has eternal life.” A person receives eternal life by placing their faith in what Jesus has done for them. What did Jesus do for you? He died on the cross for your sins. He rose from the dead that you might have life, and He offers eternal life to anyone who will repent of their sin by placing faith in Christ.

Following Jesusis a journey that never ends, but it can begin with a simple prayer. Use this prayer to guide you.

“God, I know that I have sinned. I recognize that my sin has separated me from you. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin, and that He rose again on the third day. As best as I know how, I turn from my sin by placing my faith in what Jesus has done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

If you have placed your faith in Christ today, we encourage you to share this decision with others.