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The primary message of the Bible is
really the message of salvation. It is summarized in the Death, the
Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the one and only Son of
God, Jesus came into this world to gather unto himself a group of people
belonging to God and submitting to his rule in their lives.
A common allegiance to Jesus is
still necessary and provides a unity of those recognized as his
children. This is now called the church. It is important to be a part
of his church and be identified as part of his spiritual family. The
church is held together by the love of the Lord and the fellowship of
Spirit who is given at the time one becomes a Christian.
Upon receiving the salvation offered
by Jesus, one becomes a part of God’s family and receives the promise of
an eternal life in heaven. Throughout the New Testament, a great deal
of emphasis is placed upon mankind’s sinful condition and inability to
deal with it. There is not a person who has not sinned and fallen away
from God’s glory. However, in coming to this earth, Jesus provided a
way for that sin to be forgiven.
Although Jesus was sinless, he was
crucified on a tree and died so that mankind would not have to die
spiritually. His death paid the price for one’s salvation. After his
death and burial in a tomb, Jesus rose victoriously from the grave on
the third day. He then ascended into heaven where he is seated at God’s
right hand. Jesus is now waiting for you to receive his salvation,
become a Christian and enjoy his blessings.
Receiving this free gift of
salvation, includes receiving Jesus Christ. Although he died for the
sin of every person, it is our responsibility to give our life to Jesus
and submit to him. This is not done by doing any number of good deeds
or works in his name throughout our life. Salvation is not based upon
human achievement and can never be earned or purchased. It can only be
received with thankfulness through faith and obedience. Study the
following points which teach one how to receive this salvation.
FAITH.
Faith is at the heart of one’s salvation. The Bible
tells us about the importance of faith. Hebrews 11:6, “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. And without faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ, one can never
receive salvation and the forgiveness of sin.
Acts 10:43, “All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who
believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
When one seeks to receive the
salvation of the Lord, faith or belief in Jesus as the One and only Son
of God is essential. One is also to believe that Jesus died on the
cross, was buried in a tomb and on the third day rose victoriously from
the grave, I Corinthians 15:1-4. Without this heartfelt belief, one is
not able to be saved or be recognized by God as one of His children.
Questions
for Consideration:
Why does it mean for me to live with faith? Am I doing
it?
Can I receive the forgiveness of my sin if I don’t
believe in Jesus?
What might be some consequences for not believing in
Jesus?
Is it time for me to put my faith in God’s son, Jesus
Christ?
CONFESSION.
Confessing Jesus Christ as one’s Savior is a natural
response to placing one’s faith in Jesus. Read closely these words from
Jesus. Matthew 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowledges
me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in
heaven.”
Romans
10:9-10, “ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are
saved.”
It is important to let others know
that you now belong to Jesus and he is making a difference in the way
you live your daily life. Standing up for Jesus in trying and difficult
times demonstrates your faith in the Lord and your willingness to submit
to his will for your life.
Questions
for Consideration:
Is it a big deal to acknowledging Jesus Christ as my
Savior? If so, why?
If I confess Jesus as my Savior, does that change the way
I live?
If I confess Jesus as my Savior, will others make fun of
me? Will that matter?
Is it time for me to confess that Jesus is my Lord and
Savior and then to live like it?
BAPTISM.
Baptism may be the culmination of one’s salvation in
Jesus, but it also marks the beginning of living a life for him and with
him. Paul writes Galatians 3:26-27, “You are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were united with Christ in
baptism have been clothed with Christ.”
Baptism brings one into
fellowship with God and identifies one as an adopted child of the
heavenly Father. It unites one with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and
allows that person to not only receive the forgiveness of sin but also
the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38, “When
the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and
the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.”
Questions
for Consideration:
Have I ever been baptized? If so, do I remember when,
where and why?
How can my relationship with the Lord be complete if I am
not baptized?
Would it be worth not being baptized to miss out on being
a part of God’s family forever?
If baptism is so important, why would I not want to be
baptized into Jesus Christ?
OBEDIENCE.
One’s faith in Jesus is demonstrated by obedience to
Jesus. Jesus himself makes this point very plainly in
Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven.”
It may be easy to believe, confess
and be baptized, but obedience is also important and necessary. To obey
the teachings of the Lord requires one to live a life of faithfulness to
his commands. Romans 6:15-18, “What
then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By
no means! Don’t you know that when you offer
yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you
obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to
obedience, which leads to righteousness? But
thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have
come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now
claimed your allegiance.
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to
righteousness.”
Questions
for Consideration:
If I am already baptized into Jesus, what is the purpose
of obeying him?
Through my obedience, am I able to be more deserving of
my salvation?
What are some ways in which it is hard for me to obey the
Lord?
Can I start living an obedient life in appreciation for
the salvation I have received?
GRACE.
In Acts 15:11, the apostle Peter recognized that the
grace of God was the only thing that would ultimately save both Jews and
Gentiles. Without it, no one is able to receive eternal life with God
in heaven. The grace of God is more than able and sufficient to save
you from your sin. It comes from God alone and is given to all of those
who believe in and obey His son Jesus Christ.
Notice the following teaching from
Paul. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For
it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Titus 3:4-7, “But when the
kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because
of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he
poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that,
having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the
hope of eternal life.”
This great salvation cannot be
ignored. It is offered by the One and Only Son of God – Jesus Christ.
He is the only name under heaven by which you can be saved today, Acts
4:12. Through Jesus, anyone can become a Christian and a part of God’s
family called the church. As a result, wonderful spiritual blessings
and the promise of an eternal home with the Father and the Son waits.
Questions
for Consideration:
Does God’s grace give me the freedom to live any way I so
desire? Why not?
If I don’t receive God’s grace, can I do enough to earn
God’s salvation?
How is God’s grace the culmination of my faith,
confession, baptism and obedience?
What is the best way to express my appreciation for God’s
grace? |
