“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” When He was finished, He reviewed His creation and “saw that it was good!” Unfortunately, His creation did not remain “good.” Satan was waiting to challenge the greatness and goodness and grace of God. His goal? Seduce Adam and Eve and rupture the relationship they had with Him. And, he accomplished his goal by appealing to their pride to make a self-centered choice rather than a God-honoring decision. Nothing has changed since that day. Satan’s only goal, then and now, is to destroy us, as he did Adam and Eve, by seducing us to do the same: choose self-centered desires rather than God-honoring decisions.
God’s original plan ended in disaster when Satan won the first contest. But, God refused to surrender His sovereignty to the power of Satan. For centuries He used every means and method available to prove His plan to restore this relationship. He wanted everyone to know their worth to Him, and that His purpose, presence, and power, as well as His help, hope, and healing would always be available to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
His final option to restore His relationship with mankind had been planned from the foundation of creation. Though beyond our understanding, He made this unimaginable decision to demonstrate His extreme, all-inclusive, never-ending love one final time: “God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” God sent His one and only Son to be our Savior.
To “be saved through Him” demanded that His Son dies on a cross on our behalf and in our place by shedding His blood for our sins. This He did willingly and voluntarily so that our relationship with God could be restored if we choose to accept His Son to be our personal Savior by faith and by faith in Him alone.
“The way” to restore our relationship with God is through the forgiveness of our sins through faith in Christ. A description of “the way” to have our sins forgiven by faith through Christ and our relationship with God restored is outlined in the guide that follows.
THE WAY TO GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND CHRIST’S SALVATION
RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT YOUR SEPARATION FROM GOD IS A RESULT OF SIN
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people because all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS WAS SENT BY GOD TO SAVE US
“For the Son of Man, Jesus, came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
ADMIT THAT YOU NEED TO BE SAVED
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
REALIZE THAT SIN CAUSES DEATH AND ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” (Titus 3:5)
BELIEVE THAT ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE YOU
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior. (Isaiah 43:11)
WHEN SHOULD YOU BE SAVED?
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
HOW CAN ANYONE BE SAVED?
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20)
“To those all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
DOES GOD’S SALVATION LAST?
“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present before His glorious presence, without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior, be glory, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Jude 1:25)
My Decision to Accept God’s Salvation
1. I realize after reading “God’s Plan of Salvation” that I am a sinner.
2. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to be my Savior.
3. I know that He is the only One who can save me.
4. I admit that I am a sinner and need Christ to be my Savior.
5. I accept His salvation and now receive Him, Jesus Christ, to be my Savior and Lord.
6. I willingly turn from my sins and will live for Christ Who has saved me.
7. I thank God for saving me and I will seek His will for my life.
2. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to be my Savior.
3. I know that He is the only One who can save me.
4. I admit that I am a sinner and need Christ to be my Savior.
5. I accept His salvation and now receive Him, Jesus Christ, to be my Savior and Lord.
6. I willingly turn from my sins and will live for Christ Who has saved me.
7. I thank God for saving me and I will seek His will for my life.
My Prayer of Confession and Salvation
Dear Jesus:
I admit that I am a sinner and need to be saved. I realize that You alone can save me from my sins, I ask right now for Your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that You died for my sins and that You rose from the grave. I am sorry for my sins and ask that You come into my heart and take control of my life. I ask Your Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me so that I may live for You as my Savior and Lord. In Your Name. Amen.
I admit that I am a sinner and need to be saved. I realize that You alone can save me from my sins, I ask right now for Your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that You died for my sins and that You rose from the grave. I am sorry for my sins and ask that You come into my heart and take control of my life. I ask Your Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me so that I may live for You as my Savior and Lord. In Your Name. Amen.
THE BIBLE SAYS: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:12,13
Please notify us of your decision and/or your desire to receive more help. You may call Larry at 912-685-2222 or email him at lcguido@pineland.net.
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