Salvation Explained
Why Did God Create Us?
We aren’t here by chance. We are all created in the image of God, and he holds our breath in his hands. Every person has been created by God and for God. He loves us and wants us to enjoy life with Him eternally. It’s important to know how valuable we are to Him. The Bible says "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12: 6-7).
God made you; He loves you
What Keeps Us Separated from God?
We are very different from God. He is perfect, but we are not. We have wrong thoughts, actions, words, and motives. Whether it is lying, desiring something that isn’t ours, being proud and boastful, or saying hurtful words, these are just a few examples of sins that we all commit. The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin is part of our human nature, and it separates us from God. God is holy and heaven is a holy place; we cannot go to heaven with our sins. God is also just, so He must judge sin.
Sin separates you from God
Why Can’t Good Works Save Us?
We may try many ways to reach God, whether that’s doing good works, following a religion, joining a church, or trying to be a model citizen. On the other hand, we may feel that we’re too far gone to be rescued. But we can’t earn favour with God. He doesn’t ask us to work for salvation. Nothing we do can ever satisfy the judgement that our sins require. The Bible says "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight" (Romans 3:20). So, our best efforts do nothing to bring us into a relationship with God or release us from the penalty of our sins.
Good works can't bring you to God
How Did God Provide a Saviour?
God didn’t leave us on our own with this problem. Before we ever tried to reach God, He came to us. God sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world. Though he wasn’t recognized by many, his birth was the fulfilling of a prophecy recorded in the Bible, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14) which means, "God with us". Jesus Christ was a real man and fully God at the same time. He had no sin of his own, but He experienced the pain and suffering caused by sin.
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ
Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?
Jesus was put to death on a cross. He had the power to stop this from happening, but He gave himself up willingly because he loves us. We are absolutely helpless on our own. Just like a drowning swimmer needs a life guard to come to the rescue, we need a Saviour to come to our rescue. Jesus Christ is that Saviour. The Bible says that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (Timothy 1:15). At the cross, he became accountable for our sins. He took the judgment that we deserve.
He died on the cross for you
What Does the Resurrection Mean for Us Today?
On the third day after the crucifixion, Jesus rose again triumphant, having paid the price for the sin of the world once for all. If He was still in the tomb, we wouldn’t have any hope. His resurrection is proof that He has the power to save us; death could not hold Him. The Bible says "We know that Jesus, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him" (Romans 6:9).
God raised Him from the dead
How Can I Be Saved?
The death of the Jesus, God’s Son, is sufficient to pay the price for the sin of the whole world. God doesn’t force his love on us. Instead, He offers the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ as a gift. Like any gift, it must be received by the receiver. When sins are forgiven and removed, the barrier that prevents us from having a relationship with Him is also removed. The Bible says that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
He only asks you to turn from your sin...
Will You Accept God’s Gift of Salvation?
It’s up to you now. Jesus has done everything possible so that you could have your sins forgiven and be made right with God. Will you turn from your sin and receive the forgiveness that He provides? Rejecting His gift of forgiveness leaves your sins and the judgement for them with you. The Bible says "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36).
...and accept His Son as your Saviour
A life for Christ
When you accept Jesus, you become a child of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you. This doesn’t mean life here on earth will be perfect. But you can now serve Jesus, not to earn a place in heaven, but out of love for a Saviour who has already promised you a place there with Him forever. Before he went to the cross, the Jesus told his disciples "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). Abide in his love, and let your life be a shining light that points others to Christ.
God welcomes you into His family
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.