Salvation: God's Gift of Eternal Life
Salvation is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. It's not just a religious idea—it's about accepting a personal invitation from God to be transformed and reconciled to Him. More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus walked this earth, and His life, death, and resurrection changed everything. Jesus is not just a prophet or a good teacher; He is God in the flesh, offering you the gift of salvation and eternal life with Him.
The Historical Jesus
Jesus is a real historical figure. As the Gospel of John states, Jesus is God (John 1). When Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, declared to Him, “My Lord and my God,” Jesus didn’t correct him. Instead, He affirmed that Thomas was right (John 20:28). Jesus either is exactly who He claimed to be, or He isn’t. There is no middle ground, and how you respond to this truth is entirely your choice.
How to Be Saved: Believe & Confess
Salvation is simple but profound. The Bible tells us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It’s not about the words you speak alone—it’s about the belief in your heart, a genuine confession, and repentance.
Step 1: God Loves You!
God’s love for you is unconditional and all-encompassing. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God loves you so much that He made a way for you to be with Him forever through Jesus Christ.
Step 2: We All Have Sinned
Unfortunately, sin is a part of every human life. The Bible makes it clear: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is anything that goes against God’s perfect will, and it separates us from God. The Bible also says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This is a spiritual death—separation from God forever. We are all guilty, but God has provided a solution.
Step 3: Jesus Died for Us
The good news is that Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. This is God’s demonstration of love for us. Romans 5:8 tells us, “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus’ death on the cross bridged the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God, offering forgiveness to anyone who believes in Him.
Step 4: Jesus Rose from the Dead
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Because of His resurrection, we have the hope of eternal life in heaven because the resurrection proved everything He said was true. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6). Jesus alone offers the path to salvation. By accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you receive the gift of eternal life—living forever with Him in heaven.
Step 5: You Can Ask Jesus for Forgiveness
The Bible teaches that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). You can ask Jesus to forgive your sins and accept Him as your Savior. Salvation is not about having a perfect prayer, it’s about genuine repentance and faith.
A prayer like this can help you express your faith:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I surrender my life to you, my Lord and Savior. You have given me everything, so I will spend the rest of my life serving you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for forgiving me and making me a child of God. Never let me go one day without telling someone what you have done for me."
Important: The exact words of the prayer are not what saves you—it’s the sincerity of your heart and your genuine belief in Jesus. Jesus tells a parable where a man is saved when he cries out to God in full sincerity, "O God, have mercy on me, a sinner." What is the prayer? The prayer is that you are declaring that you believe in Him, that you are sorry for your sins, and that you surrender and follow Him.
A Changed Life
Repentance is a vital part of salvation. It’s not just about saying a prayer—it’s about a change of heart and direction. When you come to Christ, you are promised that you will become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Genuine salvation means a transformation of your life, desires, and purpose. If your life doesn’t change, then it’s important to consider whether you have truly come to Christ.
Salvation isn’t about conforming to an outward religious system; it’s about an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. If you come to Christ and remain the same person you were before—still living in sin, with no desire to follow Him—then you need to reconsider whether you’ve truly accepted Jesus as Lord. Salvation is about belief and repentance, not merely an intellectual agreement or a prayer that is said by rote.
What’s Next?
If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, or if you have questions about salvation, we want to walk alongside you as you take your next steps.
Tell Someone: If you’ve accepted Christ, let us know! We would love to celebrate with you and help you grow in your relationship with God.
Follow Jesus: Begin your new journey by reading the Bible, praying, and becoming part of a community of believers. Baptism is an outward sign of your inward change, showing the world that you are now a follower of Jesus.
Get Involved: We would love to help you find a place to serve in the church and grow in your faith. Joining a Bible study, attending church regularly, and engaging in a small group can help you grow as a disciple of Jesus.
Contact Us
If you’ve made the decision to follow Christ or if you need help understanding what it means to be saved, we’d love to talk with you. Salvation is between you and God, and we’re here to help guide you along this life-changing journey.
Contact us today to learn more or to share your decision to follow Jesus!
God is waiting with open arms to welcome you into His family. Your salvation story begins now!