Salvation...How To Be Saved

Salvation. What does it mean to be saved? How does one become saved? And how does it affect your life by becoming saved by Christ Jesus. Those are questions you may have had at one time in your life. Perhaps you have never been a religious person, but you are one of the many, who instinctively are coming to the realization that we are in the middle of something much bigger that a political battle.  If you are feeling this way, you are absolutely right! We are right in the middle of a battle between GOOD and EVIL. The events unfolding around us were foretold long ago by Jesus to his disciples, when they inquired of him what would be the signs of his return. Centuries ago the Apostle John wrote the Bible book of Revelation under divine inspiration, the things that would happen far into the future...and we are seeing those things unfolding now. 

So what exactly is salvation? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as 1. Preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.  2. deliverance from sin and it's consequences, believed by Christians to be brought by faith in Christ.

John 3:16 tells us what salvation is. It says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."

God tells us in his word in John 3:36, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Again, John confirms this in John 5:24," Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life."

According to these scriptures, salvation is attained, by the belief that Christ Jesus is the Son of Almighty God, and that he died for all mankind.  Jesus himself said that he came "to give his life as an exchange for many."-Matthew 20:28. He left heaven, and came to earth just as he himself says in John 6:38, " For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." Our salvation depends on whether or not we believe, or have belief in, Christ Jesus and what he did for you and I.

What does belief mean? Again the Oxford Dictionary says, 1. an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. 2. trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something. So we must accept, trust, have faith and confidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he came and took the form of a man, in order to save us from eternal punishment, and after 3 days, just as he said he was raised up, and back to heaven.

Not only are we given eternal life, through Christ Jesus by our belief in him, we have our sins and trespasses forgiven. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Thanks to our first parents, Adam and Eve, and their rebellious disobedience, they lost perfection for not only themselves, but also for all of their offspring, you and I, and we inherited sin and imperfection from them. We were all destined for eternal death. But God loved us SO MUCH that he immediately came up with a plan to reconcile us back to him...and that plan was the giving of his only Son, so that Christs perfect life would buy back that perfect life of Adams.  God's word tells us in Ephesians 1:7,"By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness." Also, in 1 Peter 1:18,19 it says, "For you know that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that you were set free from your futile way of life handed down to you by your forefathers. But it was with precious blood, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, that of Christ."

So is that all we need to do...just believe? Or is there more?  God tells us in Romans 10:9-10, " Because you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." This however, does not earn salvation. For salvation through Christ Jesus is a gift.  There is nothing we could do to "earn" salvation. Ephesians 2:8-10, " For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  

This scripture was very eye opening to me as a ex Jehovah's Witness.  All my life I was required to keep track and turn in my time spent in the ministry...not just to tell people about God, but to save myself, to "earn salvation" based on my works. I came to learn after leaving, that, that was a very twisted belief. As the scriptures clearly state, " it is not by our own doing; it is a gift of God".  Romans 6:23 confirms this once again, when it says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This scripture makes it clear that because of our inherited sin, we die...but the gift God gives is eternal life. Because of Christs ransom, even though we may die in this life, his death made a way for us to have eternal life after this one. 

Romans 10:13 says that "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." So it is through Christ Jesus our Lord, that we attain this gift of salvation. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."-Acts 4:12 

The scriptures go on to explain that in addition to our belief, we need to be baptized. Mark 16:16 says, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."  Also Acts 2:38-39 says, " And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." This scripture sites two things that go hand in hand, repentance...which is a sincere regret or remorse for our sins, and baptism.  Baptism is a outward symbol to God and others who's side in this battle between GOOD and EVIL where we stand. It identifies us as a follower of Christ. Jesus himself was baptized, showing the way for all of his followers. Keep in mind the myriads of heavenly hosts that are watching and taking note who's side we stand on...the angels and the demons...including Satan himself who are watching to see who in which we are choosing to worship. "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."Joshua 24:15

Baptism by water immersion also represents the death and burial of the old life of willful sin, and washing us clean, and walking in the new life as a follower of Christ Jesus. "For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

There are many more scriptures in addition to the ones shared here. God has made it very clear in his word what we must do order for us to be saved. We must: Believe and have faith that Christ Jesus is the Son of Almighty God and that he left heaven to do will of his Father who sent him.  That will was for him to purchase us back to God, to reconcile us back to the Father.     

 In addition to faith we must confess, or tell others about God and his  great unfailing love. Telling others that he loved us SO MUCH that he sent his only Son to die for us personally. We must also   repent. Have a true sincere regret or remorse for our sins. We are all imperfect, and all fall short of the Glory of God, and we sin daily...but after coming to know him and all he has done to rescue      us...we must be careful not to willfully practice sin. It means we make a sincere effort to walk in    Christs footsteps, and allow God to guide us through his word.           

I recently came across a post from CJTRUTH (Official) on Telegram. I thought it fit perfectly with my post today, and so I wanted to share it with all of you. He posted this: 

We are living in difficult times but whatever happens here in the future, there is one thing on the line and that is where you will spend eternity when you die. By the way, there is a 100% chance you will die but ultimately where will you spend eternity? This is the question. 

Today, you can know for sure. You can know for sure by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. It says in the Bible, “ 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. What an incredible promise. You can have that today. You just have to admit there is nothing you can do to save yourself but it is only what God’s Son, Jesus, did for us on the cross. That he died on the cross and 3 days later rose from the grave and conquered sin and death. 

Come to the cross today. He will forgive you all of your sins and remember them no more, no matter what you have done. If you want to do that today, pray this prayer below. 

Prayer

God, I know that I am far from perfect. Help me comprehend your forgiveness and your plan for restoration. Jesus, give me the courage to accept you as the only doorway to God. I admit I am a sinner and that Jesus died for my sins on the Cross so I could have eternal life. Thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer of salvation above, I want to welcome you into the family of God! After you have done this, you will want to take that next step and grow your relationship with God. This is a good place to start. This is how you form deep relationship with God that can help you on your new journey with God. God bless you all! 

www.salvationcall.com

It is my hope and prayer, that if you never taken the steps to be saved, that you do so now!  Time is short, and being on the side of God is such a blessing and protection for you and your family!!  In the days ahead, we will see more and more evil.  We will see, come to know, and experience things that will be extremely difficult to deal with. Now is the time to take a stand! Stand Tall for Truth! We need God and each other more than ever right now! Keeping all of you in my prayers!

                                                   Blessing & Joy!

                                                            Lisa