What must I do to be saved?

Have you noticed that our tv commercials are filled with long drug advertisements due to the rise in sickness and disease?  Have you noticed the moral decline of our nation – the total disrespect for our elderly, our young people who are being taught by their parents to hate those who are different than them, the senseless murders caused by hate and evil, and a justice system that favors the rich and famous but does not reflect the justice of God? What is so noticeable is the increase in homelessness, the mentally ill wandering about our streets, provoked wars, political corruption and the destructive weather patterns.  These are all signs of the end of times.  The earth itself is regurgitating because of the wickedness of its inhabitants, but God who is so merciful and kind always has an answer to our dilemmas.  Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. 

God designed our world to live in total peace and harmony with Him and each other.  And when we move from God’s designed plan for our lives, we find ourselves in trouble – such as a time as this.  God gave us a free will.  Joshua 24:15 states:  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, … But as for me and my house [family], we will serve the Lord.

Truth be told, our world is on a downward spiral because of sin.   Sin is what separates us from God, originating from the fall in the Garden of Eden when mankind rebelled against God’s way. However, despite this separation, God’s love provided a path of restoration/reunion through His Son, Jesus Christ – believing that Jesus Christ is the only way to escape the wrath of God to come. 

Hear what the Holy Scriptures have to say about our fallen state: 

Rom. 3:10 – No one is righteous – not even one.

Rom. 3:23 –  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard [of righteous].

Psalm 51:5 – For I was born a sinner—  yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 

Isaiah 64:6 – We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags. 

When we do all the good we can do – which includes giving our last dime to help someone in need or giving the shirt off of our backs –  they don’t come close to meeting God’s standard of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 6:9 – Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God [eternal life]? Don’t fool yourselves.

Isaiah 59:2 – It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.   Because of your sins, He has turned away
and will not listen anymore.

All sin hurts us and others, but ultimately it offends God because sin in any form is rebellion against God’s way of living. So we implore you today to make a wise decision – CHOOSE JESUS!!!

There is nothing we can humanly do to undo or prevent our fallen state.  However, we have wonderful news!

THE GOOD NEWS, THE GOSPEL, OF JESUS CHRIST!!!

There is a way to be declared not guilty, and righteous – by putting our trust and confidence in Christ to forgive our sins, to make us right with God and to live the way He teaches us.  God’s solution is available to all of us regardless of our background or past behavior.

Romans 5:8 – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

John 3:16-17  – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE SAVED!

WHAT MUST YOU DO?

SIX IMPORTANT STEPS TO SALVATION (I am a sinner, what must I do to be saved?)

• Acknowledge

Admit, to be true (your sins) all unrighteousness (hatred, lying, gossiping, cheating, killing, stealing, unforgiveness, pride, etc.)

Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 – for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Repent

 To be godly sorry, sorry enough to quit wrongdoing/go in another direction

Luke 13:3 – I tell you, Nay:  but except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Acts 3:19 – Repent you therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.

• Confess

 Admit, own up to, reveal

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• Forsake

Quit, give up, leave entirely alone – once and for all, be willing for God to take all desire of sin away from you.

Isaiah 55:7 – Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

• Believe

 To rely on, to have faith and confidence in, to put yourself into the hands of another.

Rom. 10:9 –  If you confess with your mouth [openly declare] that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Receive  

Take, welcome, accept

John 2:11-12 – He came unto His own, and His own received him not.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.