We Cannot Save Ourselves…

We never could, and we never will. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV). The Amplified Bible says in verse 9 that, “It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do…”.

There is nothing about mankind that is strong enough to overcome sin and death. Romans 3:23 says plainly that, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”. No man or woman has ever lived a life worthy of God. We cannot even understand clearly what is right and what is wrong! We need someone to help us—to give us a way out of the punishment for the sins that we’ve committed, and to show us how to live.

 God Has Had A Plan Since The Beginning…

God has always known that we would be sinful. But He still chose to create us, and He still loves us with a love greater than any we could imagine! His heart’s desire is to have a relationship with us, and that is the motivation in every one of His actions.

In Jeremiah 30:22, God declares, “…you will be my people, and I will be your God.' " (NIV). This dream of God’s could not be accomplished until the sins that separate man from Him were removed. That is why, according to John 3:16, God sent His son, Jesus. This verse reads, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” (Message)

Jesus Was The Fulfillment Of God’s Plan…

Jesus, the only Son of God, came so that we would not have to die for our sins. He allowed Himself, even though He lived a completely sinless life, to be killed and to take upon Himself all of our sins, and to suffer the punishment and separation from God that should have been ours instead . 1 Peter 3:18a says, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (NIV). Romans 4:25 explains it even more, saying, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (NIV).

God has always required a perfect sacrifice for our sins—Jesus provided that for us. That is why he said in John 14:6, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (NIV).

What Do You Have To Do?

 First, you must to acknowledge who Jesus is.
You have to realize that He is God, and that He came to earth and lived as a man, died and rose again, and now He is seated next to God, praying constantly for you.

Next, you have to receive Him as your Savior and Lord.
John 1:12 tells us, “To all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become Children of God" (NIV). You have to tell God that you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and ask Him to come and forgive you now. You must also give Him permission to become the authority in your life--give Him the right to take control from this point on.

What Happens Now?

 He will save you.
As soon as you ask, Jesus will come and remove your sins from you. Romans 10:9-10 tells you, "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. For it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (NIV). You will be forgiven, and instead of the death (separation from God forever) that should have been yours, you will be given eternal life.

He will live in you and change you.
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (NIV). Once you give your life over to God, He actually comes to dwell within you! The Holy Spirit is now a part of you—it is God Himself within you, teaching you and helping you. Things may not get easier, and you may not always feel differently, but God is with you now, in every situation—you can rest in knowing that. Hebrews 13:5b-6 says, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.” So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid…’ ”. (NIV)

If you have decided today to choose to let Jesus become your
Lord and Savior, please let us know