Plan of Salvation
One day we will all be required to stand before a righteous judge. In this life we prepare for exams, weddings, parties, etc., but the most important thing we can do in this life is prepare for that day when we will meet that judge who has the power over life and death. Are you ready to meet Him? Are you sure of your fate on that day of judgment? You can know for certain today that you will be ready to meet Him and be adjudicated, "Not Guilty". Not by your good works but by the good work done by His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sin upon the cross 2,000 years ago.
Step 1: Recognize your need.
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You may think you are a good person; most people do. God gave us the Ten Commandments as a standard of perfection. No one can keep all ten. In fact, I doubt anyone has even kept one. Jesus said if you have failed even one, you have failed all ten. He came to fulfill the righteous requirements of that Law and He kept all ten enabling Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for all the rest of us who have not. Here is a simple test:
A. Have you ever told a lie? The ninth commandment says we are not to bear false
wtiness.
B. Have you ever stolen something or taken something that was not yours (size or value
does not matter)? The eighth commandment says we are not to steal.
C. Have you ever committed adultery? Keep in mind when answering this that Jesus said
that if you look at woman (or other person) to lust after her (them), you have commit-
ted adultery in your heart. The seventh commandment says we are not to commit
adultery.
D. Have you ever put anythng before God in your life? He is always to be first and above
everything else in our lives. The first commandment says that we are to have no other
gods before Him.
E. Have you taken the Lord's name in vain? This means using it as a cuss word. It even
includes substitutionary words. The third commandment says we are not to do that
and later this is called blasphemy.
If you answered "Yes" to even one of those (and there are five more we haven't covered) then you have failed the Law and would thus be judged guilty on that day. The sentence for guilt is eternity in hell.
Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
So how do you receive this free gift?
Step 2: Repent and place your trust in Jesus.
Acts 3:19 says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Jesus preached repentance. John the Baptist preached repentance. Repentance means to denounce your sin (lawlessness) and turn the other way.
As an example, if you were in New Mexico and had a westbound load to California but got on Interstate 40 going eastbound, you would obviously be going the wrong way. The Bible says that we are all born going the wrong way. You could continue traveling east on I-40 admitting all the way that you were going the wrong way and, maybe even being sorry that you were going the wrong way, but you would still end up in North Carolina. Many people, both in and out of churches, have agreed their life isn't what it should be; that they are going the wrong way. They have even stated their sorrow but have not taken the only step that will get them off the wrong path and on to the right -- repentance. Confessing and being sorry is not enough. The Bible says, "You must repent." In our illustration, the only way you will get to California with that load is to get off the interstate and cross over to the other side and begin heading west. This is repentance. We must get off the path of sin by turning in God's direction and vowing never to go back. This is true biblical repentance that leads to slavation unto eternal life.
In the beginning of this, you may have felt your good works could get you eternal life. However, Ephesians 2:8,9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
We have dealt with the repentance issue. The second part is putting your trust in Jesus. Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." This ties in with Ephesians 2:8,9. You must believe that the work Jesus did on the cross is sufficient; which it is. Trusting Jesus means relying on His sacrifice to meet God's requirement for payment for your sin.
Step 3: Pray a prayer of repentance.
You need to pray a prayer of repentance. This prayer needs to include the recognition of your sin (lawlessness), your need for a Savior (someone who can pay your penalty), that Jesus is that Savior, repentance of that sin, and a request for forgiveness. This prayer needs to be prayed from your heart, in your own words, with true sincerity. Many pray a "sinner's prayer" just to try something new. Don't just try this. Pray and mean it. Truly desire to live for God and to turn from your sinful ways. This is the real path to true salvation that leads to eternal life. The words you pray are not as important as the attitude of your heart.
A Word From Chaplain Jerry
If you have prayed a prayer of repentance today, I want to say, "Welcome to the family of God!" Now you need to get involved with a solid Bible-preaching church in your area and try to get to as many chapel services on Sunday as you can to get the fellowship and encouragement you need. The Bible also say that you should get baptized as an outward testimony of the inward work of salvation.
I would like to provide you with some resources to help you in your walk and also encourage you. You can email me at jerrypike@usmissions.org or call me at 505-290-7240. May God richly bless you as you walk with Him!
