salvation

The Way of Salvation

The universe has a Creator

It would be pointless to believe in a God who does not exist. There is no building which was not designed and made by someone; a building does not just appear by chance. In fact anything that is made must have a maker.

God communicates with us

God is beyond our understanding and we need Him to reveal Himself to us. We communicate to each other using words. God communicates to us using His Word, the Bible. Hundreds of predictions are made in the Bible which have been precisely fulfilled. Millions of people around the world have been influenced by this book.

What God is like, and what sin is

God is a Spirit, He is eternal, He knows all things, He is holy, just and powerful. God made man to be like Him and to be holy. But He also gave man freewill. Mankind and every individual person have all chosen to disobey God and have sinned. If you don't agree, just consider, have you kept all of the Ten Commandments? (read Exodus 20:3-17 in the Bible)

Have you ever worshipped any other god than the one true God (have you put anything or anyone before God)?
Have you ever made, bowed down to or served any graven image (including images of God, Mary etc.)?
Have you ever used God?s name in vain?
Have you kept the Sabbath holy?
Have you always honored your parents?
Have you ever been angry with anyone without a just cause (God considers this as murder - see Matthew 5:12-22)?
Have you ever committed adultery (this includes pre-marital sex and lust - see Matthew 5:27-28)?
Have you ever stolen (the value is irrelevant)?
Have you ever lied (including fibs & your answers to these questions!)?
Have you ever coveted (been greedy or materialistic)?
The ten commandments are summarised in this one statement in the Bible: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18).

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).

As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12).

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Because God is holy, He cannot allow sin in His presence. God is offended by the sin and rebellion of mankind:For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

Because of our sin we are condemned to hell, the most terrible place

For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

Hell is a place of torment (Luke 16:28, Revelation 14:11) and darkness and suffering (Matthew 22:13).

We cannot be right in God's eyes because of anything we do

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6).

God wants to give us eternal life in heaven, the most wonderful place

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son (Revelation 21:7).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3: 16).

Jesus did not remain dead after He was crucified on the cross and buried; three days later He rose from the dead and so was victorious over death, the consequence of our sin:

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ (Acts 17:2-3).

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living (Romans 14:9).

You must repent from sin and have faith in Christ to be saved

To be saved you first need to repent from sin. This means to completely change your mind about sin. It means admitting you are a sinner and having a change of heart - a sincere sorrow and shame at the evil and uncleanness of your sin - and turning your back on your sin. God will only forgive sins that you are willing to forsake.

To have faith in Jesus Christ is firstly to accept Jesus as the Christ (Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of the living God and that Christ died on the cross for your sin. Secondly it means believing that Jesus Christ will save you. Thirdly it means trusting Jesus to make you right with God.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe (Romans 3:21-22).

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

So why not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray to God now? Prayer just means talking to God. Admit to God that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness. Tell Him you believe that Jesus Christ shed His Blood on the cross for your sin and rose from the dead and that you want to repent of your sin. Ask Him to be the Lord of your life and enable you to live for Him.

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

What to do next

With thanks to Jonathan Ely for the use of this page

Or write:- John and Diana Whittle, Apartment 2, Oak House, 6a, Risca Road, Crosskeys, NEWPORT. NP11 7DG.

I MUST HAVE THE SAVIOUR WITH ME FOR I DARE NOT WALK ALONE.

This is that vision through Jesus Christ.

How deep the Fathers' love for us, How vast beyond all measure. That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away. As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out amoung the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there, Until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life - I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything, No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart - His wounds have paid my ransom.