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251 Powell Drive, Jackson, Ohio 45640 † Phone: 740.286.2864 † Pastor: Rev. Nelson Sharp
» How to be Saved
©2007 Jackson First Church of the Nazarene
How to be Saved
Why do we need to be saved? And from what?
To many, the idea that being a good person, living a good life and trying to do the right thing are enough to guarantee entrance into heaven. While living this way is commendable, the Bible plainly states that it is not enough.
To understand why, we must first realize the concept of sin. Sin is disobedience against God and His will. In His eyes the liar, the cheater and the adulterer are as guilty as the murderer. Sin (of any kind) cannot be tolerated by a righteous and holy God.
All people are sinners. From birth, we are inheritors of sin from the first man, Adam. In addition, we continue to sin throughout our lives. Regardless of how unimportant our transgressions may seem to us, God, in His infinite wisdom, realizes that sin can have detrimental or even devasting effects upon our lives or the lives of others.
No matter how hard we try, we will sin at some point. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from our sin, so what is the solution?
To many, the idea that being a good person, living a good life and trying to do the right thing are enough to guarantee entrance into heaven. While living this way is commendable, the Bible plainly states that it is not enough.
To understand why, we must first realize the concept of sin. Sin is disobedience against God and His will. In His eyes the liar, the cheater and the adulterer are as guilty as the murderer. Sin (of any kind) cannot be tolerated by a righteous and holy God.
All people are sinners. From birth, we are inheritors of sin from the first man, Adam. In addition, we continue to sin throughout our lives. Regardless of how unimportant our transgressions may seem to us, God, in His infinite wisdom, realizes that sin can have detrimental or even devasting effects upon our lives or the lives of others.
No matter how hard we try, we will sin at some point. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from our sin, so what is the solution?
Before Jesus Christ came to earth, God required the Jews to offer blood sacrifices. Animals were presented to the Jewish priests who would offer them up to atone for the people's sins.
When Jesus, as prophecied, suffered and died on the cross, He became the substitutionary blood sacrifice for all mankind. No longer were animal sacrifices necessary, because Jesus paid the penalty for man's sins.
1JOHN 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1JOHN 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
During His ministry, Jesus explicitly stated that no one could enter into God the Father's presence except through Him.
JOHN 10:9 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
JOHN 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Only Jesus can save us.
ACTS 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
ACTS 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
ROMANS 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
No one is beyond the scope of God's saving grace. Many are filled with such shame they don't believe they could ever be forgiven. The apostle Paul, who before his conversion, hunted down the followers of Christ and had them imprisoned or killed, said the following:
1 TIMOTHY 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
HOW TO BE SAVED
Confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you; believe that He died for your sins and was resurrected. Ask Him to live in your heart and guide your life.
That's it, it isn't complicated. Salvation isn't something that can be bought or earned. It is freely given because God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, wants to have a relationship with you, His creation.
When Jesus, as prophecied, suffered and died on the cross, He became the substitutionary blood sacrifice for all mankind. No longer were animal sacrifices necessary, because Jesus paid the penalty for man's sins.
1JOHN 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1JOHN 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
During His ministry, Jesus explicitly stated that no one could enter into God the Father's presence except through Him.
JOHN 10:9 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
JOHN 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Only Jesus can save us.
ACTS 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
ACTS 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
ROMANS 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
No one is beyond the scope of God's saving grace. Many are filled with such shame they don't believe they could ever be forgiven. The apostle Paul, who before his conversion, hunted down the followers of Christ and had them imprisoned or killed, said the following:
1 TIMOTHY 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
HOW TO BE SAVED
Confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you; believe that He died for your sins and was resurrected. Ask Him to live in your heart and guide your life.
That's it, it isn't complicated. Salvation isn't something that can be bought or earned. It is freely given because God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, wants to have a relationship with you, His creation.