Plan of Salvation

 

The Philippian Jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16.30)”  The greatest question in all of life!  How I answer this determines if I spend eternity in Heaven or Hell.  Paul’s answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16.31).”  What must I do to be saved?  How will I answer this question in my life?

 

ADMIT – I must admit that I am a sinner who needs a Savior, “For all have sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23).”  What is sin?  Sin is disobeying God’s Law.  God’s Law is summed up in two commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22.37-40).”   We have all broken God’s Law by loving things more than God or mistreating our neighbor.  We are all sinners!  The consequence of my sin is separation from God, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6.23).”  Without Jesus, eternal separation from God occurs when I die!  If you died today, where would you spend eternity?

 

BELIEVE – I must believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that He died and rose from the dead to provide forgiveness for my sin.  I must receive Jesus Christ as my Savior, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2.8).”  Salvation can never be earned by doing good things!  It is a free gift of God, paid for by Jesus Christ, received by faith!  Faith is trusting Jesus totally for salvation.  God loves you and desires your salvation, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3.16).”  If you were standing before God and He ask, “Why should I let you into Heaven?”  What would you say?  The only correct answer is, “because of my faith in Jesus Christ!”

 

CONFESS – I must confess Jesus Christ as my savior, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the month he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10.9-10).”  Belief originates in my heart and produces confession with my month.  You can be saved today by praying a prayer like the one below:

 

“Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and have broken your Law.  I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son and that He died for my sin and rose from the dead.  I choose to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.  Jesus, forgive me of my sin and come into my life and save me.  Thank you Jesus for saving me and providing eternal life.”

 

If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all your heart, you are saved!  You should attend a Bible believing church this Sunday to learn more about God’s wonderful plan for your life.  God’s plan for you begins with Believer’s Baptism.  Baptism is an act of obedience to God that shows what He did in your life at salvation.  We rejoice in your decision to accept Jesus as Savior and would like to pray for you!  Please let us know of your decision or if you have questions about salvation, baptism, or membership in New Grove Baptist Church.