Salvation

If you aren't a Christian, then I hope you're reading this because you are unsure of what Jesus has done for you. There's great hope for you!

Our Living God is a perfect God. He created this world we live in, and He created us. Not wanting to create being that were merely puppets, He gave us Free will, to make decisions for ourselves. He even knew we'd make bad decisions and eventually sin, but He already had a plan for that.

Being a Holy and Just God, He demands judgment and the appropriate sentence for the sins you've committed. Back in the Old Testament times, people would sacrifice their best sheep to atone for a sin. Those perfect sheep were as white as snow. Less than perfect sheep were dull and spotted, or a mangy mess. They weren't acceptable to God. And the people who were making the sacrifice also started to believe they could buy their atonement. There were markets selling perfect sheep and calves or whatever animals they used for sacrifices. You just paid for a sheep and went to the temple. It stopped meaning anything to God.

But God doesn't want to turn His back on us. He had His original plan in place, but we, as a people, still had things to learn. There was still some time needed before His plan came to fruition.

Finally, God's plan was revealed through Jesus. God loves you so much, that He sent His only Son here to Earth. Jesus lived a sinless life, which means He wouldn't have had to go to hell when He died. But out of love for you, He took your sentence and was put to death. He even went to hell in your place, so you wouldn't have to. That's love.

Jesus didn't stay in hell - he overcame it, and death. He arose again to life after three days and forty days later ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus is alive and loves us, and prays to the father on our behalf.

We are like those sheep I mentioned earlier - the less than perfect ones. We are far from perfect and not white at all. But Jesus is, and He is our sacrifice to God. His sacrifice made us pure again in God's eyes, because He accepted Jesus as our sacrifice. The blood of Jesus wiped out our sin, and made us white as snow. That's why they say "Jesus' blood cleanses us," or "we are washed in the blood."

Even though you haven't died yet, all of your sins are forgiven because Jesus paid the price for your sins. That was God's plan. Jesus died for your sins. But if you don't believe in Him and what He did, it's like saying, "Yeah, Jesus died and all, but I don't why. It doesn't affect me - I'm still sinning." So by not believing in Jesus, you're saying you don't accept what Jesus did for you. You are saying you will still take responsibility for what you've done here on Earth; that you will pay the price. Well, the price is steep, my friend.

Some people think they have to 'earn' their salvation or earn their way back into God's Graces. There are no deeds you can do to match the price put on sin. The cost is death and eternal suffering. How many days at a soup kitchen or helping others with their problems will pay for that? Doing good, being selfless, and helping others is great, and please don't stop doing that; but it won't save you. For that, you need Jesus.

If you really believe that Jesus walked this Earth, and died for your sins, and know that because of that, He's your Savior - He saved you from an eternity suffering in hell, well then, you become a child of God, and He loves His children. You'll have an eternity in Paradise when you do finally leave this Earth. It's not something you can just give lip-service to; you have to mean it. You have to believe! God knows your heart and thoughts - He cannot be mocked. He can't be fooled by a half-hearted word of acceptance. Say you believe in Jesus and that His death paid for your sins. Say it for yourself - not for your wife, husband, kids, friends, or church fellows. Say it because you believe it, and you need it!

There is no special formula to believe. Most people will say a prayer of acceptance, but saying it won't save you. It's the moment you believe in your heart, that Jesus is real - that his sacrifice was for you, that you are saved. But the Bible also says to confess with your mouth, that Jesus is your Savior, so here is a prayer you can say with a friend or family member, that is a show of your faith, and announces that Jesus is your Savior:

I hope you choose to believe. If so, then welcome to the fellowship of the believers of Christ Jesus! Come to our church and introduce yourself. Let us share God's Word and the Good News of Jesus our Christ. We offer encouragement and support for you in your new walk with Jesus.