The Bible gives clear instructions if you wish to take advantage of God's plan of salvation. What you need to do is neither difficult nor costly. Those who learn how to be saved by Jesus recite a simple prayer, asking for forgiveness of sin and promising to turn from sinful ways and live according to God's direction. Many find it hard to give up personal control of their lives.
The work of salvation is already done. Jesus went to a terrible death on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. His death was the blood sacrifice required to reconcile sinful mankind with a holy God. His resurrection was the triumph over death, spiritual as well as physical.
Many people find it counter-intuitive to admit they are sinners. The societies of the world have educated millions to believe that everyone has a 'divine spark' that connects in some way or other to immortality. Another viewpoint is that we are all part of the animal world and rules only by instinct and tradition. Good and evil are relative, if they even exist.
God has given us the Bible to reveal His nature and His plan for the world. Scripture teaches that man is born in sin and that no living person is sinless. The good we do pleases God but does not gain us eternal life. God's laws are designed to help us live a blessed life, but salvation is a free gift that we may accept or refuse.
Once the full depravity of human nature is realized, most people will have gotten over the biggest obstacle to salvation. When sin is acknowledged, it becomes evident that a holy god cannot enter in relationship with evil-doers. The payment for sin must be made, and humans cannot make it. The only payment acceptable to God is the blood of Jesus.
God granted man free will. He gave Adam and Eve one prohibition, which they promptly broke as soon as the possibility was presented by the lying serpent. This brought sin into the world. The Bible tells us that, when we are 'born again', we are granted the righteousness of Christ. We no longer have to depend on ourselves; we can cast our burdens - one of which is our human nature - onto Jesus. I John 1:9 says: 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'
On first examination, this may seem unfair. Why should a baby be born under this stigma? However, any honest person will acknowledge that he or she falls far short of the holiness that God demands of us. Only the blood of Jesus can make us acceptable to God; His sacrifice continually cleanses us from the sins we commit even if we no longer want to.
So how does it work? The Bible tells us that those who believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins, accept His sacrifice, and turn from their sins will be saved. After you do so, acknowledge Him before men - in other words, tell others of your salvation in your personal testimony - and continue in fellowship with God for eternity.
The work of salvation is already done. Jesus went to a terrible death on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. His death was the blood sacrifice required to reconcile sinful mankind with a holy God. His resurrection was the triumph over death, spiritual as well as physical.
Many people find it counter-intuitive to admit they are sinners. The societies of the world have educated millions to believe that everyone has a 'divine spark' that connects in some way or other to immortality. Another viewpoint is that we are all part of the animal world and rules only by instinct and tradition. Good and evil are relative, if they even exist.
God has given us the Bible to reveal His nature and His plan for the world. Scripture teaches that man is born in sin and that no living person is sinless. The good we do pleases God but does not gain us eternal life. God's laws are designed to help us live a blessed life, but salvation is a free gift that we may accept or refuse.
Once the full depravity of human nature is realized, most people will have gotten over the biggest obstacle to salvation. When sin is acknowledged, it becomes evident that a holy god cannot enter in relationship with evil-doers. The payment for sin must be made, and humans cannot make it. The only payment acceptable to God is the blood of Jesus.
God granted man free will. He gave Adam and Eve one prohibition, which they promptly broke as soon as the possibility was presented by the lying serpent. This brought sin into the world. The Bible tells us that, when we are 'born again', we are granted the righteousness of Christ. We no longer have to depend on ourselves; we can cast our burdens - one of which is our human nature - onto Jesus. I John 1:9 says: 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'
On first examination, this may seem unfair. Why should a baby be born under this stigma? However, any honest person will acknowledge that he or she falls far short of the holiness that God demands of us. Only the blood of Jesus can make us acceptable to God; His sacrifice continually cleanses us from the sins we commit even if we no longer want to.
So how does it work? The Bible tells us that those who believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins, accept His sacrifice, and turn from their sins will be saved. After you do so, acknowledge Him before men - in other words, tell others of your salvation in your personal testimony - and continue in fellowship with God for eternity.
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