THE WAY OF SALVATION

Every man is born with a God given moral conscience, and a consciousness that there is a God. They know in themselves that there is an absolute difference between right and wrong. They know by creation and the conviction of God’s Spirit that there is a creator to whom they must give account:

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

[Also see Romans 2:5-16]

If you will not fight against the light you have, then it will bear witness that the Bible is truth. Thus believing the Bible, you can be led to salvation and given new life in Jesus Christ.

Acts 17: 24-31 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth…And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:”

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

John 1: 9 “[Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

THE BIBLE TEACHES:

God created all things good; but God did not want man to have a fixed behavior pattern like animals who live by instinct. He wanted man to have the ability to reason and choose (free-will), so man could love and serve God by choice, not as a puppet or robot. In order for man to be free to choose, he must know about an alternative to obedience; and this was supplied by a forbidden fruit on a forbidden tree. To make a long story short, the first man, Adam, chose to disobey God, and brought upon himself and all his descendants the curse of death and separation from God. Man’s rebellion marred his nature, so that he is naturally selfish and wants to be his own god.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Man’s rebellion against God was his desire to be his own god, make his own rules, and do that which pleased himself, rather than what was right, holy, and benevolent -- which is the basis of God's laws, actions, and nature. God is the Creator, and the only one with the Character and Ability to maintain righteous government, so it is His responsibility and right to govern. His way is a win-win situation for everyone - man's way is "me winning at someone else's expense" - a win-lose situation. God knows what is best for His creation and demands we obey, lest we cause pain and death.

God could have justly executed the penalty of the Law and killed Adam; but God designed a way to save all men who would repent, and return to a proper relationship with God and His righteous government. God planned to pay for man’s sins by the sacrifice of a man who was indeed “God manifest in the flesh” and called the “Son of God” — Jesus Christ. Then He made Jesus Christ the Lord and judge of all men. Those who love and obey Jesus, God forgives; but those who won’t, receive the penalty of God’s Law.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity (trespasses) of us all. Is. 53:6

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: John 5:22

Because Jesus Christ was sinless, and died to pay for our sins; He is the perfect Judge and Lord for mankind. He now invites men to repent of their rebellion and come under the canopy of His administration. He has the power to pardon, cleanse our record, and help us to live a holy life. He, as our priest, has power to keep our record clean as we continue to walk in obedience and confess to Him when we fail. God has never expected fallen man to be perfect (saved by our own works), but expects him to repent and do his best to obey. When God sees this repentance and faith, he graciously pardons — this is salvation by grace through faith. Christ expects us to walk the best we can with the light we have, and repent when we fail.

“…if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:7-9

Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Heb. 5:8,9

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,

I Peter 3:18

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost (to the end) that come (continually) unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:24,25

Those who repent and follow Jesus are promised God’s Spirit to dwell with them, comfort them, and help them to do right even when it brings pain, separation, and persecution. This plan is seen in Acts 2:38,

"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."

God’s Spirit, who has convicted me and called me to repentance, now enables me to renounce my selfish/fleshly ways, overcome them, and obey the truth that God’s Word teaches me. (“Flesh” means the natural selfish inclinations and appetites).

“…if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:13,14

When I accept Jesus as my sacrifice for sin, and as my King and Lord; I am accepting God's plan and standard of holiness over my own way. I am then putting my faith in God's holy government, and not my self-government. Jesus is God's perfect standard, and thus, He is God's chosen King and Judge for all men. To accept Jesus means to follow and obey him as God's will and way. This is why Paul preached what he did in Acts 26:20 and 17:30,31

Acts 26:20 "Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."

Acts 17:30-31 "God...now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus) whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Putting my faith in Christ is living according to his teachings and example. Without this, I am still in rebellion, and cannot be forgiven.

Those who remain in their rebellion to God, or go back to it after repenting and turning from it, will suffer their due punishment in Hell.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

2 Peter 2:20-21 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

Once we turn to follow Jesus, and are baptized into a local body of believers, we are to continue following Jesus by faithful obedience to the end of our life. As Jesus performs his heavenly priesthood for those who walk in the light, their records are kept clean. In this way our obedient faith is counted to us for righteousness (Romans 4). What wonderful grace God displayed in producing this plan to save a repentant rebel who deserves Hell. If I but continue in His gracious plan, I am promised eternal bliss with Him in His Kingdom!

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

1. Humbly confess your sin to God, and ask forgiveness.

2. Renounce your way, and ask Jesus Christ to be your LORD and Savior

3. Get baptized into a Bible obeying church body in Jesus’ Name.

4. Strive to obey all Jesus taught through His apostles in the New Testament; submit to the church leaders as they submit to the Word of God; and humbly confess to Jesus when you fail.

5. Strive to overcome your old ways and become like Christ.

6. Learn your place in the local church and work to build up the local assembly.

7. Persevere in obedience in hope of promised eternal life.

1 Peter 1:13-17 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:”

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Romans 6:17-23 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Matt. 24:9-13 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Hebrews 3:12-14 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

Hebrews 6:11-15 “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

WHY DON'T YOU REPENT, CONFESS YOUR SIN TO GOD, ASK FORGIVENESS, AND TURN YOUR LIFE OVER TO JESUS CHRIST TO FOLLOW AND OBEY HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART...

...DON'T PUT IT OFF (CLICK HERE)

'TIS JUDGMENT DAY