What is Salvation?

What Does the Bible Say?

 

Apart from Jesus Christ, every person on the face of the earth is separated from God.  Apart from God, we face increasing heartache and disappointment, or we turn to the world and commit ourselves to ever increasing greed, lust, and selfishness, hurting others before they can hurt us.  The final outcome is eternal separation from God, which is too horrible to imagine.  God Himself has provided “Himself” as the way back to eternal love.  In His Son, Jesus Christ, God has provided total forgiveness and eternal life to ALL who recognize Him and believe in Him, and are seeking the truth.

 

The Bible tells us:

 

            The Work On The Cross

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (Jesus Christ) that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish (go to hell) but have eternal life.”  (in heaven with Jesus Christ) John 3:16

 

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

 

“The Father (God) loves the Son (Jesus Christ) and has placed everything in His hands.  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”  John 3:35

 

God Draws Us

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”…  John 6:44

 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  II Peter 3:9

 

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Luke 5:32

 

“For the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save what was lost.” (That’s you and me)  Luke 19:10

 

            His Grace

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (in Jesus Christ) – and this not of yourselves, (no one is good enough) it is the gift of God – not by works, (it’s not by what you can do) so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8,9

 

            Believing and Salvation

“…Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.”  Acts 16:32 

 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:13

 

…”I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God (heaven) unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You’ must be born again.”  (repent, and begin to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ – begin to talk to Him)  John 3:5

 

            Faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”   Hebrews 11:6

 

“We live by faith, not by sight.”  II Cor. 5:7

 

His Promise of Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3

 

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”  Romans 16:20

 

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

 

“The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” 

Psalm 29:11

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

 

Our Confession

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9-10

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”   I John 1:9

 

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”  Proverbs 28:13

 

            He directs our steps

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?”  Proverbs 20:24

 

 

 

Encouragement and Direction:

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippines 4:4-7

 

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!”  James 5:7-9

 

“Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. … My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this:  Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.“   James 5: 13-16 and verse 19.           

 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”    Romans 12:1-2

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!“   II Cor. 5:17

 

Don’t hesitate to get alone somewhere and “call” on the Lord, (pray) agreeing with God that you also have sinned.  This is very important because God’s children are those who have realized that they have hurt others or themselves, and have also hurt God by their actions or their words.  (This is the meaning of sin)  Be completely honest with God.  Let Him know any questions you may have, or any struggles you’re going through.  Tell Him how you have been hurt; or if you have hurt others, ask for His forgiveness.  

 

 “Come near to God and he will come near to you”. James 4:8 

 

Jesus will not turn away anyone that comes to Him.  We all need Him.  Wherever you may be when you feel the Lord calling you to repentance, make that choice immediately because God will not reason with you forever.  Purchase a Bible and read it daily.  The book of John is a good place to start.  Also, find a good Bible Believing Church to attend right away.  Make friends in church as soon as you can, and eliminate any old friends that may drag you back into your former life.  If you are not satisfied in the church you first attend, visit some other churches.  This is not wrong.  Keep visiting churches until you find a good Bible believing, Christ-centered church that strengthens you and encourages you in your faith.

 

    “And everyone who calls

        on the name of the Lord will be saved”;  Joel 2:32 

 

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1-2

 

 

If you would like to receive a free Bible Study, please call our office at 540-465-4755, or email us at SufferingChurch@InJesusName.Org, and we will be happy to send you one.