God’s Simple Plan of Salvation

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

There are big questions that plague all of us. What happens when I die? Where will I spend eternity? If I were to die today, would I spend eternity in Heaven with God? Your relationship to Jesus Christ will determine the answer to these questions

The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” The simple truth is God wants you to know where you’re going! Let’s take a look at what that means:

TRUTH #1

The ProblemIs Sin

Romans 5:12 teaches us that since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is any act contrary to God’s laws and commandments, and those sins that I have committed separate me from God.

TRUTH #2

The PenaltyFor Sin

There is a penalty for the sins we commit, just as there is a punishment for the crimes people commit. When a person violates a law and commits a crime, they will face the penalty of that crime. Likewise, when a person commits sin and violates God’s laws, they will face the penalty of their sin.

What is the penalty of sin? And is there a way to avoid it?

The penalty of sin is death according to Romans 6:23a: The wages of sin is death. Every one will face physical death some day, which is the separation of the soul from the body. But the Bible also speaks of spiritual death, which is separation from God forever in the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14, And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Hell is a real place, and people who go there suffer for eternity. The same Bible that teaches eternal life in Heaven teaches eternal destruction in Hell.

TRUTH #3

Good Works &Religion are not the Solution

No one has the ability to do good all the time without ever sinning. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says: For there is not a just man upon the earth that doeth good, and sinneth not. Religions try to create their own ways to God. Their systems may seem logical, but they cannot bridge the gap created by our sin. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In other words, our thoughts and ways are not what matter. God’s Word, the Bible, provides true answers of grace and forgiveness. In Ephesians 2:8–9 the Bible says, “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.”

TRUTH #4

The Good News:Jesus Christ Provides the Way!

The Bible provides a solution for the problem of sin, and this is the most exciting part of the Gospel! The word “gospel” literally means “good news!”

God is also love, and He provided a way to escape the penalty of sin through the sacrifice of His Son.

God demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of your sin. Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Gospel is explained in I Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel…how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

TRUTH #5

Believe andReceive Christ

In order to have a relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven, we must stop trusting ourselves, our works, and our religions, and place our full trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life. In Romans 10:13 the Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That is a promise directly from God that if you will pray to Him, confess that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins, and turn to Him alone to be your Saviour; He promises to save you and give you the free gift of eternal life. You can make that decision today by praying from your heart, something like this:

Dear God, I know that I am separated from you because of sin. I confess that in my sin, I cannot save myself. Right now, I turn to you alone to be my Saviour. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life to me.—Amen

You’ll never regret that decision! If you have just trusted Christ, we would love to know about your decision and help you learn more about that new relationship! Give us a call at 815.986.0460 or send us a message and let us know today!