Salvation & Eternal Life
1. Acknowledge the Problem of Sin
Sin is any action, thought, or behavior that goes against God’s perfect will. All humans are born with a sinful nature, and sin separates us from God.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The consequence of sin is death, both physical and spiritual (eternal separation from God). This is explained in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2. Recognize the Need for a Savior
Because of sin, humanity needed someone to restore the broken relationship with God. Humans could not fix this themselves, as no amount of good deeds can erase sin.
Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
God in His love and mercy provided a solution: Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life and took the punishment for sin upon Himself.
3. Jesus Christ: The Savior
Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to earth to die for humanity’s sins. His death on the cross served as the perfect sacrifice, atoning for our sins.
John 3:16 emphasizes this: “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.”
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead three days later proved His victory over sin and death, offering eternal life to all who trust in Him.
4. Faith in Jesus: The Key to Salvation
Salvation is a gift that must be received by faith in Jesus Christ. It cannot be earned by works nor can anything else earn it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Faith means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He rose again, and then accepting Him as your Savior and Lord.
5. Repentance: Turning from Sin
True faith in Jesus involves repentance, which means turning away from sin and choosing to follow Christ.
Acts 3:19 encourages, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Repentance isn’t just a one-time decision but a continual process of walking away from sin and pursuing a life that honors God.
6. Receiving Eternal Life
Eternal life is the promise that, through faith in Jesus’ sin atoning work on the cross, believers will have everlasting life with God as they are born again with the Spirit of God and are living obeying God’s word, the Bible.
Jesus offers this life freely to all who believe in Him.
John 10:28 says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
7. Living in Relationship with God
Salvation is not just about securing eternal life but about entering into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
This relationship is nurtured through prayer, reading the Bible, and living in obedience to God’s will.
John 15:5 teaches, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
8. The Holy Spirit: Empowering Believers
When you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you, guiding, comforting, and empowering you to live a godly life.
Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”
9. Sharing the Good News with Others
Once you have experienced salvation, it’s important to share the message of salvation with others so they, too, can know Jesus.
Matthew 28:19-20 gives the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”