Plan of Salvation:
The single most important question you can ever ask in life is answered in John 3:3b. How can I see the kingdom of God? Jesus tells us, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” No amount of good works or church attendance will get you to Heaven; it is solely through the process of rebirth that we can attain this everlasting life with Christ in Heaven. So what is this rebirth that Jesus is referencing?
The first step in this process of rebirth is found in Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” and in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Here we are told that ALL of us are not only guilty of sins but that these sins have rendered us spiritually dead. We are twice condemned in the iniquity of sin. First, we are born into sin. When Adam took of the forbidden fruit not only did he fall into sin but each and everyone of us also fell into sin through him. As a result from the moment we are born we stand condemned before God. Second, we willfully sin. The Scriptures are clear that as humans we all have sinned. We do this willingly and freely because it is what we desire to do. The Scriptures tell us that our desires are evil continually and thus we stand condemned. In Romans 6:23a Paul pronounces our judgment for these sins, “For the wages of sin is death.” This death is eternal separation from the very presence of God and ultimately eternal punishment in hell.
The second step is taken not by us but by God. Romans 5:28 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Even while we were dead in sins and trespasses God sent His only Son, Jesus, to take on human flesh, die on the cross of Calvary, rise again on the third day, and ascend to Heaven to be our mediator. There is nothing that we have done or could do to merit this free expression of God’s eternal love but rather it is a free act of God undertaken for his elect. In I John 4:10 we read, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God sent Christ to die on that cross to serve as a payment for our sins. His blood, and his blood alone, is sufficient to pay for all of your sins past, present and future.
So what do we need to do to have our sins forgiven? The answer is simple, BELIEVE. In Acts 16:31 we read , “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…. In Romans 10:9 Paul tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” It is important to remember that every facet of salvation is the work of God. The Scriptures clearly tell us that even this belief is a gift from God and would be impossible without Him. So in order to accept Christ’s free gift of salvation you must:
A. Believe that He is God and you must believe that you are a sinner dead in your sins.
B. You must believe that he came and died and rose again for to pay for your sins, past present and future.
C. You must accept this payment as the only payment for your sins, in other words, you cannot rely on any good works on your own part.
If you truly believe these things you will be saved. Do not be decieved into thinking that just because you say the “magic words” you are saved. The words do not effect salvation but rather the Holy Spirit working within you to change your heart and desires. This rebirth will result in a new life, one in which Christ is not only your Savior but also your master.