HOW TO BE SAVED
Has The Holy Spirit been speaking to you? Have you felt inside - deep in your heart - that you need to get right with God? Has a sense of guilt, shame, remorse, regret & fear been tormenting you? Have you been searching for a way that burden could be lifted from you? Do you wish you could be totally forgiven and cleansed from your sins and be in right standing with God? Do you long for a life of inward peace, joy and purity? If so, you are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Do not ignore it. Today is the day of salvation.
No one is righteous. All have sinned. The wages of sin is death. Eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire will be the final destination of sinners. Perhaps you think you’re a “good person”. According to God, you are not. “There is none that does good, not one” (Rom 3:12). Whether or not we acknowledge it or accept it, the fact remains: without Jesus we are dead in our sins and trespasses (Eph 2:1-3).
Still not convinced? Let's use the Law of God (Ex 20:1-17) lawfully (1Tim 1:8-10), and see if you pass the "goodness" test. First, have you ever lied - even once? Then you are a liar. Have you ever stolen, even one little thing? Then you are a thief. Have you ever looked at someone in lust? Then you are an adulterer (Mt 5:28). Have you ever hated someone in your heart? Then you're a murderer. Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Then you’re a blasphemer. How are you doing so far? Like most of us, you've probably broken all of these and more at one time or another. However, even if you only broke one, you're still guilty of breaking God’s law (Jam 2:10). Some break it big, some break it small – but we’re guilty of breaking it, one and all.
You see, you might be good compared to me or someone else; but on judgment day, you will be compared to Jesus. If your goodness; your holiness; your righteousness doesn't compare to His, then you will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Do you still want to approach God with the “good person” defense? God doesn’t grade on a curve. He doesn’t take averages. You’re either perfect or you’re flawed.
What can a sinner like you and me do? How could we possibly be saved?
The Bible says, "Repent, and be converted"; "Repent, and be baptized"; "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand". Before we can be born again, we must repent. It is a foundational doctrine (Heb 6:1). Repentance is not merely remorse for sin or its consequences. You can be sorry and not repent (2Cor 7:8-11). Repentance is a change of heart, a change of mind, resulting in going a different direction. It is doing a "180", if you will. Jesus, Peter, & Paul all called for repentance. Repentance is not perfection - but rather, a change of direction. Turning from darkness to light; from Satan to God. Repentance is not an addition to salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9) - it precedes it. If we do not first "change our mind" (repent) about who Jesus is - and our own current lost condition - how can we believe on Him? Why would we believe on Him? Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.
The invitation to eternal life is an invitation to come and die. Die to yourself; die to your will; die to the world (Gal 2:20, 6:14). The Christian's life is no longer their own - they are bought with a price (1Cor 6:20). Jesus is both Lord and Savior. Lord means ruler, king, boss (Rom 14:9). You’re saying, “Jesus, you’re in charge now”. Being a Christian will cost you – but I assure you, dying as an unbeliever will cost you much, much more.
Jesus said, that before we can become His disciple, we must count the cost (Luke 14:25-33). Don't make this decision or say this prayer rashly or with flippancy. It isn't a "Get out of Hell free card". It must be from the heart. It must be true. You’re not saved by any works of your own. Salvation is a gift that can only be received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7) - but your faith must be real (James 2:26). God doesn’t play games and He knows your heart. Look up the Scriptures; count the cost; consider eternity.
If you’re serious and ready, pray the following prayer:
"Father in Heaven, have mercy on me, a sinner. I repent and turn to You. I call upon the name of Jesus for salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Jesus, be my Lord and Savior. Cleanse me from all sin with Your blood. Forgive me. Heal me and set me free. I believe You suffered and died on the cross for my sins. I confess with my mouth that You are Lord. I believe in my heart that The Father raised you from the dead on the third day. I believe and confess I'm saved right now by God's grace, through my faith in Jesus. I believe I am a new creation in Christ and have eternal life according to Your promise in Scripture. I believe my name is written in The Lamb's Book of Life. I ask and receive by faith alone in the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen".
If you prayed that prayer in sincerity and truth, from the depths of a humble and believing heart, then the Bible says you are saved - for "Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom 10:13).
Here are a few important steps to take on your road to Christian maturity: 1. Get water baptized ASAP. (Mk 16:16) 2. Ask God to fill you with The Holy Spirit and power. (Lk 11:13) 3. Read The Bible everyday (Josh 1:8, Dt 11:18-21, Job 23:12, Jer 15:16). 4. Pray every day (Rom 12:12, Eph 6:18, 1Thess 5:17, 2Tim 1:3) 5. Find a Bible believing church to be a part of and attend regularly (Acts 2:42, 20:7, Heb 10:25, Jude 19). 6. Walk humbly with Jesus (1Pt 5:5).
Keep in mind, these are not things you do to be saved - but things you do because you are saved. These are steps on the road to Christian maturity and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. As you continue steadfastly in the things of God, The Lord will reveal to you more and more. Do not get overwhelmed or discouraged. Rest in God's love for you and be at peace. He has begun the good work in you, and He will finish it (Phip 1:6). Just stay faithful to Jesus and yielded to His Holy Spirit, no matter what (Heb 10:23). May God bless you and may you grow in grace day by day.