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Christian Salvation: Do You Have Christian Salvation or Simply Good Religion?
by Robert Baines Christian salvation is to be safe from the penalty of sin, which is going to Hell, and having the promise of eternal life (see Jn. 3:16). The following four statements and prayer are helpful in understanding Christian salvation, which is the ground for Christian growth: 1. God loves you and wants to bless your life (see Jn. 3:16; Jer. 29:11). No matter how difficult things may be in your life, it is so important to remember that God loves you and has a plan for your life. This can be difficult to remember, when bills are overdue, relationships have turned hostile, and health is falling apart. But it is true, none the less. 2. Your sin separates you from the blessings of God (see Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Whether there is a little or large amount of poison in a glass, it is unacceptable to drink. In like manner, whether we have a little or a large amount of sin in our lives, we are unacceptable to God and separated from His blessings. When we say we are not perfect, we are admitting that we have imperfections/sins in our lives. Our sins separate us from the blessings that God wants to give us (see Mt. 23:37). 3. Jesus' death satisfies your sin debt (see Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:21). A grocery store cashier is willing to accept my friend's payment for the debt I owe. In similar fashion, God the Father accepts Jesus' death, as a substitute payment for the debt that I owe because of my sins. The wages of our sins is death. But thank God, Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. 4. You must accept Jesus as your savior by faith (see Rom. 10:9-13; I Jn. 5:11-13). If you ask God and trust God to save you from going to Hell because of Jesus' death for your sins, you will be saved from going to Hell. Saying the prayer of acceptance, without believing it, will not help. If you really believe then say the following prayer and receive God's salvation: "God please save me from Hell because of Jesus' death for my sins. Help me to live right. Thank You. In Jesus' name, amen." Before I close, notice the following four things from 1 John 5:11-13 (NIV): 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1. In verse 13, we can know that we have eternal life. 2. Eternal life is in the Son of God (i.e., Jesus; see vs. 11). 3. Whoever has the Son has eternal life (see vs. 11). 4. Since you have accepted the Son/Jesus into your life, the word of God (see vs. 12) teaches that you have what? (see vs. 12) . You got it eternal life salvation. If we were in my church, I would say, "Praise the Lord!" In summary, Christian salvation is about God's love, our sins, Jesus' death, and our acceptance. Trusting and asking God to save you because of Jesus' death for you sins is foundational to Christian growth. Dr. Robert E. Baines, Jr. uses his doctorate of ministry degree and twenty years of pastoral experience to provide quality and helpful Christian living information to 1,000's of visitors a month. Make sure you secure your free copy of his ebooklet, "How to Encourage Yourself: 21 Practical Tips," and sign up for his newsletter that features great articles, helpful devotionals, and Bible based teaching notes at www.RobertBaines.com. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |