You may wonder why you need to become a Christian or, to put it another way, why you need to be saved. The bible says it is because we have ignored God’s directions for our lives. We are reaping the consequences in our world today and the consequences for a future life are truly bleak.
If you are completely satisfied with your life as it is, then there is little God offers that will appeal to you. In just the same way that nobody enjoys visiting hospital when they feel really well.
If, however, you’re desperate to reform your life but don’t know how, then God has an answer that will “blow you away”.
There are many voices telling you what you need to do to be “saved”, and there is much disagreement. It is not our purpose here to refute any of those voices but only to present the simple statements from the bible on this important subject so that you can make up your own mind.
“Salvation” is vital for everyone – the alternative is unthinkable
For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)
The root of man’s problem is “Sin” – essentially disobeying God’s commands
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) Even as through one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men inasmuch as all sinned (Romans 5:12)
The process leading to Salvation starts when you are concerned about your sin – the bible calls it “Conviction”
He (God’s Holy Spirit) will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment (John 16:8)
You may try to reform yourself – but all your efforts will be futile
By the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20)
God offers Salvation as a free gift – that’s “Grace” at work on an immense scale
By grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
First we need to renounce sin – hate our disobedience and accept that God knows best
The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15)
Then we need to own up to God – We need to “Confess” our faults to Him
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
We must then trust God for His grace – ask Him to “Forgive” us – and He will
We had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9)
But we must be sincere in our turnaround – accepting God’s ways means making Him “Lord” of our lives
You call Me Teacher, and Lord, and you say well, for I am (John 13:13) Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philemon 2:11)
That is the start of something big – really big. Think about it – free from guilt, related to God, completely new direction for your life. Life is altogether new and you can expect some major changes to take place.
This is the briefest of explanations of how you can know God’s salvation – essentially how you become a Christian – a disciple of Jesus Christ. If you would like to talk this through with someone then contact one of our leaders or if you are not local to us contact the leaders of your own local church.
