Salvation

Proverbs 9:10 (New International Version)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Wisdom begins when we recognize that God is God and then responds accordingly. The proper response, of course, is surrender. Once we have surrendered, God is more than happy to reveal more and more of Him-self. And as we discover more and more of the character and nature of the Father, we gain greater understanding of the world He has created. Our expanded understanding results in an improved ability to choose wisely. Thus, true wisdom begins with a proper recognition of who God is coupled with a proper response-surrender.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

God. Who is He? The Bible identifies Him as the creator of all that exists. He made the world, which helps us understand our place in it. He made us—He made you. You have an undeniable connection with God whether you realize it or not.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us

and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10

God loves us. God created us. He loves us—so much so that He sent His Son to restore our relationship with Him. Propitiation is a word that means “to restore into good favor.” Why does this need to happen? As the verse indicates, sin is the major reason. Sin destroys our relationship with God, but God in His love made a way for us to be restored.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

He gave His only begotten Son. The first verse tells us about the penalty for sin. Every person is guilty of some sin, some violation of God’s standard for what is right and wrong. The penalty for sin is death. All people die, and sin is the reason for it.

But the second verse tells us what it means that God gave His Son: Jesus died on the cross, taking the penalty of our sin on Himself. Imagine sin as a crime. On the cross, Jesus was convicted of every crime ever committed, and through His suffering, He was carried out the death sentence for each conviction. We don’t have to pay the penalty for our sin—we can go free and enjoy the life God has for us!

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. This can be the simplest part to follow but the hardest part to understand. All we have to do to be assured of life after death in a perfect relationship with God is to believe in Jesus. If you acknowledge that Jesus is Lord—that He is the Son of God that He claimed to be who died to pay the debt of our sin—and truly believe that He was raised from the dead . . . you are saved from the penalty of death!

Jesus proved that the power of death could not hold Him. If we believe in Him, His power over death extends to us as well.

The Bible, as God’s Word, proclaims how a person can come into a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. Acknowledge you are a sinner.
   While some may think they are “good people,” everyone has committed sin.
   “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

2. Recognize you deserve death.
   Because God is holy, He must judge sin. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God.
   “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

3. Understand Christ died for your sins.
   The Good News of the Bible is that God graciously supplied a substitute for the penalty you deserve.
   “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

4. Put your trust in Christ as your Savior.
   God invites you to come into a relationship with Him through faith in Christ’s death on your behalf.
   “For by grace you have been saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If you put your faith alone in Christ alone, you will come into a loving and eternal relationship with Christ.

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”(1 John 5:13)

What’s Next?

TALK TO SOMEONE

If you would like to talk to someone right now about your decision and how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us by emailing Pastor Scott Collins Scott [at] nwcc777 [dot] com .

COMMITMENT TO CHRIST

If you have just made a commitment to Christ, please let us know. We’d like to send help you to grow in your faith. Simply, please contact us by emailing Pastor Scott Collins Scott [at] nwcc777 [dot] com .