Salvation

Salvation is simply what it implies -- to be saved means to be excused, to escape punishment, and to be redeemed. Jesus tells us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6) Therefore, we need Jesus for Salvation. He is the common denominator. Good works is admirable and God wants that from us and is highly suggested, however, it cannot save you. "For 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)

There are perquisites for everything in life. To be Saved you must,

• Admit you are a sinner.
  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
  
  "Wherefore, as 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)
  
  "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
  

• Turn from sin (repent).
  Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
  
  "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
  every where to repent" (Acts 17:30)
  

• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
  
  "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)
  

• Invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior.
  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
  
  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
  (Romans 10:13)
  
  God, in all his Holiness, is Love! His holiness tells us that we must be punished for our sins; however, his love gives us a way to be forgiven and causes our punishment to be overridden, a way of escape. Isn't that true love - to know that someone is wrong but provide a way of escape for them anyway.
  
  The greatest display of God’s love unfolded as His Son left heaven to become a man. Born of a virgin 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ lived with His creation. He was unable to sin, yet He showed compassion to sinners all around Him.
  
  It may be difficult to understand, but there is a good part in Christ's suffering. By his death we understand Christ’s suffering and death brings victory through forgiveness for all of us ~ "For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). "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).

• Your Final step is to Pray.
  Dear God, I truly confess that I am a sinner and that I am in desperate need of your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that his death and resurrection is what redeems me. I repent of my sins and I ask you to come into my heart. Create in me a clean heart and I will serve you all of my life. I will not do the things I used to do nor speak the words I used to speak. I am Saved! In Jesus Name, Amen.
  
  "Therefore 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)
  
  "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)
  
  Halleluia!

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, as a Christian you should:

1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
   "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
   
   
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
   "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)
   
   
3. Tell others about Christ.
   "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
   (Mark 16:15)
   
   
4. Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.
   "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)
   
   "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
   
   "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)