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GOD'S Plan of Salvation
Step 1: We Have All Sinned. We are born with a sin nature which causes us to think, feel, and act in a manner outside of God's perfect plan. This sin results in us being separated from God. The bible says: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) We can not go any further until we come to terms with this first step - we are ALL sinners. No matter how good we think we are, we must see our life as falling short of the perfection required by God. No one is "good enough" to go to Heaven. Step 2: Our Sin Deserves Eternal Death. We must understand and believe the consequences of being a sinner. The bible says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) The wages of our sin is a spiritual death - an eternal separation from God in a place commonly referred to as Hell. Before we can enter the gates of Heaven, we must have our sin removed - we must be made clean. Step 3: We Must Desire To Be Clean - We Must Repent. If we believe we have sin in our life which keeps us out of God's presence, and if we truly desire to enter Heaven, we will desire to cleanse our life of sin. This desire to turn from our sin is called repentance. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, (Acts 3:19) Many times, we will not have the ability or strength to actually leave the sin which has consumed us - this will come only as we turn our hearts toward God and accept the gift of Jesus Christ. Step 4: There is only one way to be made clean - that process is called Salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, freely given to all who ask - it can never be earned! 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) Grace means "unmerited favor". It means we are granted favor when we have done nothing to deserve such favor. We cannot rid our life of sin and all our "goodness" cannot bring us one step closer to Heaven. This can be a difficult step. Many of us are so consumed with pride that it's difficult to ask for help - but God requires us to humbly say: "I know I can never get there through my own effort. I’m lost without help to cleanse me of my sins." Step 5: We must understand and believe that God has provided a way for our sins (all our sins) to be completely washed away - a way for us to be made pure and clean in His sight. This way of forgiveness is through faith, or belief, in His Son Jesus. 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) Our sin can only be forgiven through a proper sacrifice. Jesus Christ died and rose again in order to be the sacrifice for those who will believe. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, (Romans 3:25) God loved us and gave us His Son even though we did nothing to deserve His love. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, provides us the opportunity to be washed clean - the opportunity to have our sin debt cancelled - the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven. Jesus is the Savior who allows us into Heaven - He’s the only way! Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6) Step 6: If we understand and believe the above steps, we're ready. If we believe our sinful condition (Step 1), recognize we deserve an eternal Hell (Step 2), desire to turn from our sin and be made clean (Step 3), understand that we are unable to make ourselves clean (Step 4), and recognize the Sacrifice of Jesus as our only means of Eternal Life (Step 5), then we now must open the door of our heart and ask Him inside. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) But as many as received him, to them gavehe power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; (John 1:12) If you truly understand and believe, I urge you to ask Jesus into your life - do not delay! While it is said, to day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:15). Tell Him you believe in His sacrifice as complete forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be your Savior. If you have come this far, do not let another moment go by!! There’s no special prayer required. Simply tell Him you believe and ask Him to save you. Pray a prayer something like this: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner who deserves an eternal death. I desire to turn from my sin, but I know that on my own, I can never achieve a sinless life. Left on my own I will be forever separated from You. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again as an eternal sacrifice for my sin. I accept the gift of Jesus and ask Him into my life as my Savior. Amen. If this was prayed with a sincere heart, you are from this very moment, His Child. You have been "born again" (John 3:3), made a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), and will one day enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven) |