Salvation: God's Free Gift to You

 

 

Key verse: "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." (John 3:16)

THE PROBLEM OF SIN

 

What Is Sin?

 

Sin is not just "doing bad things." In the Bible, sin is missing God's standard, breaking His law, and living in rebellion against Him. It is a relationship problem with God before it is a behavior problem.

 

The Bible's Definitions

• Breaking God's law: "Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)

• Wrongdoing of any kind: "All unrighteousness is sin." (1 John 5:17)

• Failing to do good: "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

• Living without faith in God: "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)

 

The Bible uses several words for sin. Each shows a different side of it:

• Missing the mark: falling short of God's perfect standard

• Transgression: deliberately crossing a line God has drawn

• Iniquity: twisted, crooked living

• Rebellion: refusing God's authority over our lives

 

Two Kinds of Sin

 

1. Sins of commission: doing what God forbids, such as lying, stealing, immorality, hatred, pride, and idolatry. (Galatians 5:19-21)

2. Sins of omission: failing to do what God commands, such as failing to love, forgive, or obey Him. (James 4:17)

 

Sin Starts in the Heart

 

Jesus said, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Mark 7:21-22) Sinful acts are the fruit. The root is a heart that has turned away from God and put self on the throne. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

 

Where Did Sin Come From?

 

Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the garden. (Genesis 3) "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12) Every person is born with a sinful nature and then chooses to sin. That is why no one has to teach a child to be selfish or to lie.

 

Who Has Sinned?

 

Everyone has sinned. There are no exceptions.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Some people think sin is only a problem for "really bad" people. But the Bible says the problem is universal. A person can be kind, moral, religious, and generous, and still be separated from God. Good works can't fix a sin problem, just as a clean coat can't fix a broken heart.

 

What Does Sin Do?

 

It separates us from a holy God. God is perfectly holy and just, and sin cannot stand in His presence.

• It separates us from God. "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." (Isaiah 59:2)

• It enslaves. "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34)

• It deceives. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

• It brings death, physical and spiritual. "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

We can't fix it ourselves. Effort, tradition, church attendance, and good deeds can't erase sin.

 THE SOLUTION OF SALVATION

 

What Is Salvation?

 

Salvation is God's answer to the problem of sin: His rescue of humanity from sin and its consequences, made possible through Jesus Christ. The word means deliverance, safety, and being made whole. It isn't a religion, a set of rules, or a reward for good people. It is a gift from God.

 

• It is God's initiative: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

• It is motivated by love: "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

• It is complete: it covers our past, our present, and our eternity.

 

How God Made a Way

 

Sin is serious, but it is not the end of the story. Since we couldn't save ourselves, God sent Jesus. He lived the sinless life we couldn't live and died the death we deserved, taking our punishment on the cross. Then He rose again, proving His victory over sin and death. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Romans 5:20)

 

Salvation can't be earned: "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." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

Jesus is the only way: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

 

What Are You Saved From?

 

• The penalty of sin. This is eternal separation from God. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

• The power of sin. We are no longer slaves to habits, addictions, and patterns that control us. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." (Romans 6:14)

• Guilt and shame. God doesn't just forgive; He cleanses. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

• Spiritual death and judgment. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) Those in Christ are rescued from that judgment.

• An empty, purposeless life. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

 BENEFITS OF SALVATION

 

• Forgiveness of sins. Your past is wiped clean. (Ephesians 1:7)

• Peace with God. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

• A new life. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• Adoption into God's family. You become a child of God. (John 1:12)

• The Holy Spirit. God lives in you to guide, comfort, and empower you. (Ephesians 1:13)

• Assurance of eternal life. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)

• Answered prayer and God's presence. You can approach God as a loving Father.

• A purpose and a new community. You join the family of believers and are equipped to fulfill God's purpose for your life.

• Eternal hope. A future with God that death cannot take away.

RECEIVING SALVATION

 

Salvation is a gift, and a gift must be received. The Bible is clear about how to receive it. Just remember the acronym A-B-C-R-R:

• Admit: Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

• Believe: Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

• Confess: Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. "That 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." (Romans 10:9-10)

• Repent: Repent, turning away from sin and turning toward God, choosing to follow Him instead of yourself. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)

• Receive: Receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

 

Salvation costs you nothing, but it cost Jesus everything. God isn't asking you to clean yourself up first. He is inviting you to come as you are. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

 

If you have never given your life to Jesus, or if you have drifted away and want to come back, today can be that day. You don't need perfect words, and you don't need to fix yourself first. God is ready to receive you right now. If you are ready to receive the gift of salvation, I invite you to pray this prayer out loud, from your heart.

A Prayer of Salvation

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and that I need a Savior. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and that God raised You from the dead. I confess with my mouth that You are Lord. Today I repent. I turn away from my sins and turn toward You, choosing to follow You instead of myself. I receive You into my life as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to follow You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Welcome to the Family

 

If you just prayed that prayer and you believe it, you have received the gift of salvation. You are now like a new baby who needs to be fed spiritually in order to grow. Please click the link below to access your free resource that will help you to navigate your new life as a Christian.