The Basics of Salvation

THE BASICS OF SALVATION

A – ADMIT my sinful condition and need for salvation. Repentance God our creator is holy, loving and just (Exodus 34:6-7). He desires fellowship with us, and He loves to bless us (Psalm 103:1-5). Though humans were created in perfect fellowship with God, the first man Adam rebelled against God and brought sin and death upon all humans (Romans 5:12). Sin, any rebellion against God, is what separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). I was born a sinner by nature (Psalm 51:5). In my life I have violated both my God-given conscience and the revealed laws of God (Romans 3:14-15; Exodus 20:1-17). God is just and must punish all sin. (Exodus 34:7) God’s just punishment for sin is death, eternity in hell (Romans 6:23; Matthew 25: 41; Revelation 21:8). Though I may have done some good in my life, I know my good deeds cannot earn salvation or cancel out my sins (Titus 3:4-5). Because of my sin I am deserving of God’s punishment and can do nothing but ask for mercy (Romans 3:23; Luke 18:13-14). Sin destroys my mind, my body and my relationships. Because I believe these things about my sinful condition, I stop trusting in my own good deeds to save me and turn away from my sin.

B – BELIEVE the truth about Jesus Christ. Faith Jesus Christ is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:9), who loved us and willingly died for guilty sinners (Romans 5:8). Jesus paid the death penalty that sinners deserved to pay (I Peter 2:24). Through His sacrifice, justice was served (Romans 3:25-26). God can now allow sinners to be forgiven and restored to Him when they repent of sin and trust in Jesus (Acts5: 31). We can be saved because of God’s grace (undeserved favor), through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus forgives sins, gives sinners His righteousness and restores them to fellowship with God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believing in Jesus for salvation means relying upon Him alone to make me a new person, give me new spiritual life, give a life of spiritual victory here and now (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 10:10) and one day bring me to eternity in heaven (John 3:16).

C – CONSECRATE myself to Jesus Christ by trusting and obeying His Word. I choose to trust and follow Jesus Christ daily, living for Him since He died for me (2 Corinthians 5:15). I will work out the free gift of salvation by letting God work in me (Philippians 2:12-13). I will let God renew my mind and transform my life by reading and obeying His Word (Romans 12:1-2; James 1:22). I will let the Holy Spirit bring changes to my character (Galatians 5:22-25). I will let God make me holy and accomplish His will through my life (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:22-24). I will celebrate God’s grace and mercy by joining up with other believers who can encourage me to follow Jesus (Hebrews 10:24-25). I will give God glory by loving people and telling them about salvation in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9-12).