Salvation
Our sin creates an impassable chasm between us and God.
1. Recognize Your Condition
My biggest mistake when I don’t know my way is that I don’t want to admit that I am lost! My wife calls this, “pride.” In order to find the way to eternal life with God, I must admit I am lost in sin.
Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God.
Whenever I have been lost, I have paid some type of penalty. I have been late to a special event and, on occasion, I have received a speeding ticket. Sin also has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death, and eternal separation from God.
Religion and good works cannot bridge the gap created by our sin.
2. Religion and Good Works Are Not the Answer
Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin.
Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness.
In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Through His death on the cross, Jesus Christ paid for our sins and delivers to us the way to eternal life in Heaven.
3. The Good News—Jesus Christ Provides the Way!
Even though we were lost and separated from God, He loved us, and because He is love, God sent His Son to die on the Cross and raise from the dead three days later.
John 3:16 explains “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He became the payment for our sin. Now, we do not have to pay for our sin ourselves. By His grace, salvation is provided.
In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth [meaning proved or demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
We must place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and eternal life.
4. Repent and Believe Christ
In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. In Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in (through) Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 3:7-8 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, (8) do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness
We urge you, today, if you hear His voice, call, repent and believe so you may be saved!
If you have repented and believed in Christ, we would love to know and give you a Bible and some other materials to help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at (518) 861-6695 or email us let us know today!
