What we believe about salvationWhat does it mean to have a personal relationship with God?First,RECOGNIZEthat you areseparated from God... just like everyone else ... by sin (any action or thought that God says is wrong).Romans 3:23says, "for all have sinned..." andRomans 6:23says, "the wages of sin is death..." This is speaking of eternal separation from God... in a place called Hell... a frightening predicament!
Second,REALIZEthatGod offers a solution! The rest of that verse says, "but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." So, God says, "Sure, you've blown it... along with the rest of the human race...but, I have a gift for you that fixes EVERYTHING...a Saviour!...just because I love you!" Romans 5:8says, "But God commendethHis love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!" Even though we've all messed up, God says that Jesus already paid for our sins when He died, in our place, on the cross! Third, are you willing to acknowledge your sin... admit your need for a Saviour... and believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Then...RESPONDto God's offer!Romans 10:13says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." You can accept God's gift right now. Pray a simple prayer, admit your sin, and ask Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior! God promises He will answer and give you eternal life! John 3:16 Fourth,you need to ask,RECEIVEthe Lord Jesus Christ by faith, calling upon Him to forgive you and save you. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8. John says in his Gospel, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.He came unto his own, and his own received him not.But as many as received him,to them gave he power to become the sons of God,evento them that believe on his name." John 1:12. You must receive the Lord Jesus as a gift. You cannot earn or pay for a gift, it is a gift! A gift from God to you.Simply reach out by faith and receive it. The gift of God which is eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Ask the Lord into your life right nowand pray something like this: "Dear God please forgive me for all of my sin, save me and change my life. I do believe that You sent Your Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for me. It was for me He died, it was because of my sin He died. I believe in the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and that He is alive today and will answer me because He said He would. I am not trusting in anything or anyone else to save me. Save me right now. 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' [Luke 18:13-14] Thank you Lord for saving me and cleansing my sinful soul. Help me Lord to have the courage to live for You every day."
It is not the above words that save you; it is what you believe in your 'heart' when you ask that makes the difference. The Bible says, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:10
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