True Salvation

According to God’s Word, the Bible, man is made in the image of God. How could it be that He made us but needs another person or religious leader to connect us with Him? False religions usually teach that you need to practice certain good works, and also need the guidance and assistance of a religious leader to connect with God.

But, the Bible teaches that your eternal salvation is a personal matter between you and God, and does not depend on rites, clerics, traditions, good works, baptism, or association with any church or religion: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works…” Ephesians 2:8-9 So, faith in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead, not good works, is the only means to true salvation.

I have heard people say something like “when I get my life straightened out, I will become a Christian.” But that is backwards. First by faith in Jesus Christ, accompanied by genuine repentance, you become a Christian. Then the Holy Spirit will indwell you and will empower you to straighten out your life. So, it doesn’t matter what kind of person you are or what you have done: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

But faith alone, in just anyone or anything, will not be sufficient. It must be faith in Jesus Christ alone: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Only Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, and therefore only He could pay the penalty for our sins, by being sacrificed on the cross. To show that He had the power to forgive sin, He was raised from the dead on the third day. This insures also that He will come again in a manner similar to His departure: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3 And it also insures the promise of the millennium: “’… The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25

Please pray like this: “God, I confess that I have sinned against you and I repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive me and give me eternal life. I accept the gift of salvation and surrender my life to You as my lord. Make me the person you want me to be. Thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Then comes perhaps the most confusing part. We serve Him because we love Him, not to obtain salvation. That makes all the difference between false religions and the true religion of God. So, study the Bible to live in a manner pleasing to God: “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you are now part of a non-Biblical religion, you can be saved anyway by abandoning your faith in the false doctrines of the religion, repenting of your sins, and putting your faith in Jesus Christ alone. After studying the Bible, you may wish to change your religious affiliation to conform to the Bible, but that alone will not save you. It is your faith in Jesus Christ alone which will save you.

For more information please study:

30 Day Next Steps

For more information, please email bammelse@yahoo.com. Thanks.