Salvation

These are the simplist depictions of salvation I have come across.
The Execution

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Community service, helping the poor, working in a soup kitchen, giving money to good causes – these are all very good things! These are all very needful things. In fact, Christ taught us to help those less fortunate than we are. This should be at the top of every human being’s list of important things. However, none of these good deeds will change our standing with God.

God says that:

~Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

~Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

There is not one person on this earth who can say he/she is without any sin at all. If you have stolen anything, you are a thief. If you have told even a little white lie, you are a liar. If you have looked at another woman with desire, the Bible says you are an adulterer in your heart. If you admit to doing any of these things (and each represents breaking one of the Ten Commandments), then by your own admission you are a lying thief and adulterer. God gave us the Ten Commandments so that we could realize that we are sinners.

Man has the ability to discern for himself that he is a sinner. God has placed that ability in each of us. We know when we have done wrong. In turn, we try to make up for it by doing good things. These good things, in and of themselves, are good but they cannot make up for our sins. These works cannot save us from God’s impending judgment. That is the reason God sent Christ to die for our sins because we could never do enough good works to make up for our sin.

If you look at most religions today, there is some type of works involved. One either has to do penance or good works to cover his sin. This is not a new concept. Cain tried to cover his rebellion toward God’s will by offering a sacrifice from his garden rather than what God had commanded, which was a spotless lamb.

~Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8 ) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (9)

~Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

~2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Why, then, does mankind have the need to push the works-based salvation agenda? It is because of the same pride that Cain had. No one is going to tell me how I’m going to live my life. No one is going to tell me that I can’t go to heaven my way. My offering is just as good as his!

The truth of the matter is that there is nothing that we can do to earn heaven. You cannot earn a gift. Ephesians 2:8 is quite clear that salvation is a gift. You cannot work for a gift. You can work for money – you can work for food – but you cannot work for a gift. This is the simple truth. The Father gave mankind a gift through His Son. What kind of a gift was He? He paid the penalty for our sins. God knew we could not do it on our own. We sin every single day. There’s no way that a tally could be kept comparing our good works against our sins! That is silly and the Word of God does not support that.

~2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Just what is the truth? Where can this truth be found? Who has the truth? Jesus had the answers to these questions:

~John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We cannot work our way to heaven, my friend. We have a choice – do we accept this gift that the Father has given to us through Christ Jesus? Or, do we continue to work our way to heaven and find out at the judgment that we are wrong? The Lord Jesus Christ paid our penalty with His own blood! We have been saved from judgment and its accompanying penalty which is eternity burning in hell.

~Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Once you have settled your salvation and accepted Christ’s blood as payment for your sins, you receive the Holy Spirit and you are reunited with God. You are a new creature – you are born again. After salvation, you then begin to serve a new Master, the Lord God. A servant works hard for his master and so should we for our Master.

~Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The works we did prior to salvation were dead works – they amounted to nothing. But now we serve the living God and our work for Him should be evident. The world should know that we are Christians by our works – not works need for salvation but works that come after salvation.

James talks about the works that come after salvation.

~James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

~James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Notice it is works along with faith and not works alone. Remember the account of the Good Samaritan? That was an excellent example of someone saying they had faith but their works did not prove it.

One cannot be saved without faith, Ephesians 2:8-9 make that quite clear. Therefore, after salvation one should be working for the Master. One should be witnessing to others and sharing the Gospel. One should be the “light” in a very dark world. Anyone who says they are born again and yet doesn’t do anything to serve the Lord should check out his spiritual barometer.

It is ashame that there are many who believe that their works go hand-in-hand with their salvation. If they only compared their beliefs with the Word of God, they would see that they are sincerely wrong. To state such a thing is to say that Christ’s death was not enough – the Father’s gift was not enough – and that we have to “add” our works to the salvation process. To do so takes away from the Perfect Lamb of God.

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Do you really know Christ?

You must see yourself as a lost sinner on your way to HELL.

~Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

~Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

~Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jesus said you must be born again.

~John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Only Jesus’ blood can save us!  Nothing we do can add anything to our salvaiton.

~Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Jesus is the only way!

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

~1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

~1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Repentance is necessary for salvation!  To say you accept Christ but you continue to live the same life you lived before is not salvation.

~Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Now is the time to accept Christ as your only way to Heaven.  Only He can keep you out of hell!

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A friend of mine sent this to me and I thought it was the simplest, yet most profound, depiction of salvation. I wanted to add Scriptures to each picture to depict salvation via the way of the Cross of Calvary. I hope this is a blessing to you!

(Mat 7:13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide gate, and broad the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

(Psa 38:4) For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

(1 Cor 1:18 ) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

(Pro 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(Jas 4:4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

(Pro 16:25) There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(1 Sam 15:22b) Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

(Gen 4:4) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (Gen 4:5) But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

(Mat 16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

(Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(Rom 8:34) Who is he that condemneth? Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

(1 Tim 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Tim 2:6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(Joh 3:5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Joh 3:6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Joh 3:7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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Now, please read on to read what the Bible says about how to be saved:
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Have you ever wondered why you were placed on this earth? Hasn’t it ever bothered you that you’ve never been able to figure out what your purpose was in your life? You’re not the first person to wonder these things. These questions have plagued mankind throughout the ages. Surely, it cannot be a coincidence! We cannot just appear on this earth and then suddenly disappear without rhyme nor reason. Well, you’re right! God created Adam and Eve to fellowship with Him. The Bible says that when Eve saw the fruit of the tree, she wanted to eat. The things of the world appealed to her and she ate. She convinced her husband to do so as well. Because they disobeyed God’s command, their fellowship with God was broken. They were thrown out of the Garden of Eden and they had to deal with the world and its difficulties.

Since the beginning, man has been trying to restore this fellowship with God. This is the emptiness one feels inside one’s heart. It is a void which cannot be filled until it is filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Sin has caused a great division between man and God. The cross depiction above is a good example of this statement. The Old Testament is filled with instances of man offering sacrifices of lambs to cover his sins. God told Moses that if the blood of a spotless lamb were painted on the doorposts during the 10th plague of Egypt, the angel of death would “pass over” that house.

Christ left His Heavenly Throne to come to earth to be our Passover Lamb. The blood of sacrifices in the Old Testament could never wash away sins. It was merely a foreshadowing of what was to come. God saw how His people could not keep the law. He had compassion upon His creation because even with the law, they still could not be righteous enough to gain entrance into Heaven. He had to send His Only Son to become that Perfect Sacrifice so that His Blood would become the cleansing power to forgive our sin. The sacrifices of the Old Testament only acted as a covering for sin. Christ’s blood, however, washes our sins away. The Scriptures say in

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. ~Hebrews 9:22

You’ve probably watched those television evangelists as they said, “Just pray this simple prayer and you will be saved!” It IS simple to call on the name of the Lord Jesus and ask Him to save you. However, Scriptures say in

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

Therefore, just asking to be saved doesn’t save you. You must REPENT! Repentance means to change your mind and change direction in your life. To put it in simple English, if you were a thief, you are no longer going to be a thief. If you were heading down a highway and discovered you took a wrong turn, wouldn’t you turn around and go the right way? Of course you would! A true born again believer is known for a changed life. Scriptures say in

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17

You’re probably saying that you’ve seen too many so-called Christians today who are really hypocrites. I agree with you!! Our churches are filled with them. That is because they have not repented and have not had a changed life. Only the Holy Spirit can call you to salvation. If you are feeling the tugging of the Holy Spirit in your heart while reading this, please read the next few verses:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ~Romans 3:23

We are ALL sinners. Everyone of us. If you are thinking that you’re not that bad, read on. It does not matter that you are a good person or a bad person. Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden is the reason you need to be saved. It is because of this first sin that man’s fellowship with God was broken. All people born after that original sin were born with sin. Therefore, you can say that you are a good person and it won’t matter one bit in the eyes of God. The verse above says that we ALL come short of the glory of God.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ~Romans 3:10

None of us can say that we are good because the Bible says that none of us are righteous! If none of us are righteous, then how is it possible to even make it into heaven?I can hear you saying now …. Wait a minute!!! I’m a good person! I don’t lie, I don’t steal, I don’t cheat! If you are thinking this in your heart then you need to realize that even if you never committed another sin for the rest of your life, you would still be going to hell. Why?

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ~Romans 5:12

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we have been born with a sin nature. We don’t have a choice according to this verse. Sin and death are born with us. So…. now that you know that it is your sin nature that will take you to hell, read on.

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~Romans 6:23

If you have ever held a job, you know that at the end of your pay period you receive a pay check (a wage) for your hard work. This was earned by you. The wages for your sins have been earned also. You have earned a place in hell to burn for an eternity … and that’s forever! Because God is Holy and Righteous, He cannot allow ANY sin into Heaven… not even one! Something had to be done so that we could get to Heaven. We are all doomed to spend an eternity in hell if there’s no way out! But, God has a gift of eternal life (in Heaven) through Jesus Christ. How can you get this gift?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:8

God showed us just how much He loved us by sending His precious Son to die for us. We did not have to “clean up our act” before Christ did this act of love. Christ died for you while you were still a sinner! Would you die for someone you didn’t even know? It would be difficult, wouldn’t it?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

I’m sure you’ve heard this famous Bible verse before. Don’t you ever wonder why in the world would God put a verse like this in the Bible? Don’t you question things like this? If not, you SHOULD! Why WOULD God put this beautiful verse in the Bible? He wanted to show us a simple way to Heaven. Not some complicated way like some religions teach today. How did God show His love? God saw how impossible it was for the world to keep the law without committing one single sin. He saw that we were weak and that we would NEVER make it into heaven by our efforts of being good. Even on our BEST day, we could not be good enough to get to Heaven.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ~Isaiah 64:6

He saw that He would have to provide a way. He would have to provide a perfect sacrifice that would cover ALL the sins of ALL men. He sent His only Son to die for YOU. Jesus did this willingly! The blood of the Israelites’ spotless lambs would never wash away sin so God sent His perfect Lamb to shed His Blood. If we believe in Him (Jesus and His birth, His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection, and that He reigns in heaven still), we will receive everlasting life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. ~1 John 5:13

God doesn’t want His children to doubt or wonder if they’re going to Heaven. You’re thinking that no one can know for sure they are going to heaven, but you can because Scriptures say so. It says above “that ye may know” … it doesn’t say ye might know. Do your children wonder if you’re going to feed them or dress them? Of course not! Then why should the Heavenly Father be any different than us? He created us! Can the created ones be MORE than the Creator? I think not!

To be saved, you must be “born again” according to the Word of God. John 3:3 says “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When you are born, you are a brand new human being. When you are born again spiritually, you become a new creature.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ~2 Cor. 5:17

That means if you once stole, you will steal no more. That means if you once were an adulterer, you will commit this sin no more. That means if you are lying, you will lie no more. You will have a new desire in your heart to serve God and to live a godly life.

How can you “get saved”?

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. ~Romans 10:9

If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, actually came down from Heaven, died on the cross and shed His blood so your sins can be forgiven, was buried, arose three days later from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father … then the Bible says “thou SHALT be saved.” It doesn’t say you MIGHT be saved … but thou SHALT be saved.

Now you must take that head knowledge and apply it to your heart and mouth. Romans 10:10 says: ” For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Therefore, confess before God right now that you are a sinner in need of His salvation. Acknowledge that Christ left His Heavenly throne and came to earth so that He could die on the cross for YOUR sins. He took YOUR penalty on that cross. Christ was buried and arose after three days and appeared to over 500. He then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right Hand of God and awaits His return to earth where He will reign for ever and ever. Ask Christ to save you from the pits of Hell today! If you truly mean this, your life WILL change! You won’t want to live the same sinful way you were. You won’t be sinless … but you WILL sin LESS.

Remember that you must REPENT from your old ways. If you were a thief, you must steal no more. If you were a liar, you must lie no more. If you were living in adultery, you must live in adultery no more. To just believe that Jesus died for you isn’t enough. The Bible says that the devil believes in Jesus but he is certainly NOT going to heaven!

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17

You are a new creature now. You have been born again like a new baby. You will need the pure milk of the Word of God to grow on, just as a baby needs milk.

Go to Bible preaching, non compromising church, and walk the aisle during the altar call. Don’t be ashamed of what you have just done! Be proud that you are now a member of the Body of Christ!

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ~Romans 10:11

It is very important that you hook up with a good church quickly.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ~Romans 10:14

Hearing the Word of God preached will help you to grow! It will also make your new Christian life easier. You will meet people who believe the Bible and will help you in your new found life.

If you were saved by reading this message, please email me to let me know! I pray God’s Holy Spirit will not let you rest until you have made a decision for Christ!

Remember, after you read this, you’ll either decide to get saved or you will put it off. If you put it off, you cannot be 100% sure that you will not die in a car accident tonight! What if you do? You will stand before Jesus Christ’s throne and have to explain to Him why you decided against getting saved today!

If you still say no to this invitation for getting saved, then I pity your soul! What if you are required to give an account before God tonight!!??

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Living the Christian Life

Salvation was the biggest step you will ever take as a human being! Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit’s conviction on your heart!! (New Testament – Luke 15:10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Welcome to the family of God! Now, the Bible says that you must grow spiritually. How can you do that?

(1) Read your Bible. Get yourself a King James Bible and start reading the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read these books over and over at least 4 times. This is where you will learn about your Saviour, Jesus Christ. Try to read as much as you can each day. After the Gospels, move on to the rest of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs (found in the Old Testatement). Put a bookmark on the Table of Contents of your Bible (found at the very beginning) so you can look up the different Books until you learn where they are. Reading every day will be the best thing that you can do for your spiritual walk.

(2 Timothy 2:15)Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(2) Go to church. Find a good Independent Fundamental Baptist Church (IFB for short) to attend. If there are none in your area, look for a Fundamental Bible Believing Church. Many times they are very much like an IFB church and preach strictly from the Word of God. If you have a job that keeps you from attending church, start praying that God would find you another job that won’t keep you from church. Church is so important because this is where you have an opportunity be with other Christians who can help you, pray for you, and teach you.

(Hebrews 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(3) Get Baptized. The first thing after salvation that a Christian should do is to be obedient and be baptized. God won’t use you in your Christian walk if you cannot even obey Him with this first point.

(Acts 2:38 ) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(4) Pray. Jesus taught us how to pray:

(New Testament – Matthew 6:9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Jesus does want you to memorize this prayer and only recite it. He says to pray “after this manner” – meaning to use this as an example of how and what to pray for. Pray to the Father in Heaven and remember that He is holy and His name is holy.

(New Testament – Matthew 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Remember that God’s kingdom will come soon. Pray for God’s will in your life and in the world (just as His will is done in Heaven.)

(New Testament – Matthew 6:11) Give us this day our daily bread.

Ask the Lord to give you exactly what you need for today – whether it is spritual food from the Bible, needs in your family, needs for your friends, someone’s salvation, someone’s health, etc.

(New Testament – Matthew 6:12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Forgive those who have hurt you or sinned against you and then ask God to forgive you of the sins which you have committed since the last time you prayed to Him.

(New Testament – Matthew 6:13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Ask the Lord to protect you from the enemy (Satan) and deliver you from any temptations that will cross your path. For example, if you are tempted to steal, ask God to keep you from this temptation (and remember to stay away from places that tempt you to steal). Also remember that God has all the power in the universe and this is His creation. He deserves all the glory! Pray in Jesus’ Precious Name – Amen!

(5) Find new friends. If your old friends tend to lead you to sin, then find yourself new friends. Hang out with people who will not lead you to be tempted. Usually this happens automatically because your old friends won’t want to be around you because you will be acting different than before you were saved. If you cursed, you will not be cursing any more. If you liked to tell dirty stories, you won’t be telling them anymore. You will also feel uncomfortable (the conviction of the Holy Spirit) when you are around people who do these things. Remember, you are a new creature – you are born again and, therefore, your new nature won’t enjoy the old sinful things. You will fall under conviction by the Holy Spirit and you will want to change things.

(New Testament – 2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(6) Tell others about what happened to you!

(New Testament 1 Peter 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

If you want some really good reading material for new Christians, go to Chick Publications – They have some excellent witnessing tracts and you can really grow spiritually by reading their materials.

Please feel free to email me at any time with questions! God bless you on your new journey in Christ!!!