God's Plan for Our Salvation

God created us out of Love -- He Loves us and wants us to Love Him and Obey Him, in return.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." -- John 3:16-18

Although God loves us, He is sinless, spotless, Holy, and cannot tolerate our sinful nature.

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been through God." -- John 3:19-21

Jesus, God's only Begotten Son, told us what is required for us to enter the Father's kingdom.

"Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" -- John 3:3

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." -- John 14:6

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." -- John 3:36

What Jesus did not say is also important. He did not say:

He did not say being a nice person is all that is really necessary. If that were true, we wouldn't need a Saviour. But God says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -- Romans 3:23. All of us have failed to live up to God's law and therefore stand guilty before Him.

He did not say that being religious and going to the right church is what really counts. The need to be "born again" was originally presented not to a criminal off the streets, but to Nicodemus, a sincere, respected religious leader of his day. A man who prayed and kept the commandments. To such a man Jesus said: "You must be born again." -- John 3:7 And he says the same thing to you and to me.

He did not say if you just live by the Golden Rule, you'll make it. God does expect us to live by the Golden Rule, but good works can never be the basis of salvation. The Bible says of born again Christians, "You have been saved through faith; ... not as the result of works." --Ephesians 2:8,9

He did not say a loving God would never condemn anyone to hell. God is perfect love. But He's also perfectly just. And that justice makes it impossible for Him to allow our sinfulness to go unpunished. "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- Romans 6:23 When Christ died on the Cross, he paid the penalty for the sins of people like you and me in order to forgive us. The Bible says, "God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." -- Romans 5:8 What we need to do to be born again is to turn from our sins and wholeheartedly put our faith and trust in Jesus. If we refuse His offer of forgiveness, then we must suffer the penalty for our own sins.

Jesus wants to give each and every one of us the gift of salvation. But, He won't push His way into your life. God gave man "free will" -- we have used that free will to turn away and disobey God. We must also use that will to turn back to Him through Christ Jesus.

Jesus says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him." -- Revelation 3:20

Jesus is standing outside the door to your heart, this very instant. You can receive Him, and eternal life through this act of faith -- pray this prayer (or a similar one, the words aren't as important as the desire of your heart)

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and without you, I will never make it on my own. I acknowledge that you died on the Cross for my sins. I want to turn from my life of sin. I ask you to come into my heart, my soul and take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Help me be the type of person that you want me to be and to live each day for you. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.

What's Next?

If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus into your heart, you can be assured that the Angels are, at this minute, throwing a glorious party in Heaven! You have been reborn as a child of God and rescued from the powers of darkness. You are a new member of the body of Christ and as such, need to join your Christian brothers and sisters in learning to enjoy your new life.

Tell someone about your decision to live for Christ. Jesus says, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven." -- Matthew 10:32 (I would love to hear of your decision -- e-mail me at: David@Truncale.com, I'll throw a party, too!)

Read and study your Bible. God speaks to us through the Bible to let us know what he wants to do for us and through us. The Bible says: "Be diligent to present yourself as one approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth." -- II Timothy 2:15

Pray every day. Talk to God and tell him about all of your joys and your problems. He wants you to depend upon Him. Also, be sure to listen for God speaking to you. The Bible says: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -- Phillipians 4:6-7

Attend a Bible-teaching church. In fellowship with other believers we can encourage one another, study the Bible, worship the Lord and pray. Jesus says: "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them of My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." -- Matthew 18:19-20

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May God Richly Bless You All the Days of Your Life, Here and Beyond!