Salvation Through Christ: Is
A Matter of FAITH
What do you think it takes for
someone to get to heaven? Is it
luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is
there something more? The Bible has the
real answer to this question. It's a
matter of FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS.
We cannot have eternal life without
God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a
says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have
redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins."
A is for AVAILABLE.
Forgiveness is available for all.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved
the world that He gave His one and
only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish but have
eternal life." But forgiveness is
not automatic. "Not everyone who
says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter
the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew
7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is
impossible for God to allow sin into
heaven because of who He is and
because of who we are. God is loving
and just, but His judgment is
against sin. James 2:13a says,
"Because judgment without mercy will
be shown to anyone who has not been
merciful." We are sinful people.
Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have
sinned and fall short of the glory
of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means
to repent. We can repent - or turn -
from our sin and from ourselves.
"But unless you repent, you too will
all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can
also turn to Someone. Trust Christ
alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how:
"That if you confess with your
mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe
in your heart that God raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is
eternal life. Here, that means life
"to the full:" "I have come that
they may have life, and have it to
the full (John 10:10b)." In the
hereafter, it means the promise of
heaven: "And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and
take you to be with me that you also
may be where I am (John 14:3)."
So how can a person have God's
forgiveness, heaven and eternal life,
and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?
By trusting in Christ and asking Him for
forgiveness. Take the step of faith
described by another meaning of FAITH:
Forsaking All I Trust Him.
You do this through a simple prayer
reflecting your desire for Christ to
change your life. You don't need fancy
words - only an honest heart. You can
pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner
and have displeased You in many
ways. I believe You died for my sin,
and only through faith in Your death
and resurrection can I be forgiven.
I want to turn from my sin and ask
You to come into my life as my
Savior and Lord. From this day on, I
will follow You by living a life
that pleases You. Thank you, Lord
Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
If you prayed this
prayer from your heart Luke 15:7 tells
us that there is rejoicing in heaven!
We'd like to rejoice also. If you just
prayed this prayer we want to help you
grow in your relationship with God.
[
Click here
] to let us
know of your decision and we will email
you a list of churches in your area
where you can be baptized and develop
lasting friendships with other believers
who love and trust Christ. In the
meantime, begin reading the book of [
John ] either online or with your own
Bible. This book in the Bible provides a
clear explanation of who Jesus is, the
role of the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost),
and the will of the Father for you and
for the world.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning
of a wonderful adventure with God! Get
to know Him better in a number of ways:
-
Follow Christ's example in baptism.
-
Join a church where you can worship
God and grow in your faith.
-
In your church, get involved in
Sunday School and Bible study.
-
Begin a daily personal worship
experience with God where you study
the Bible and pray.
God bless you! |
