Salvation is simple, but the hard part is implementation.
- We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Do you believe this? You have to recognize that you have and continue to sin everyday.
- What is the consequence of sin? For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- We have a gift from God of eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). While you were still a sinner, Jesus died on the cross for you (Romans 5:8). All you need to do is believe in Him and trust that His death was payment for your sin. God loved us so much that He sent His Son down to us and if we believe in Jesus, then we will not parish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). You need to have a relationship with Christ.
- Need to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, that He died for your sins, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. With your heart you believe and are justified and with your mouth profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).
- Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
- The end result is eternal life with God and Jesus in Heaven and beyond. However, is that all there is and you are done? No!
Can you simply say the Prayer of Salvation that so many have posted and then walk away and behave as you have in the past? No! If you truly believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and that He died on the cross for your sins and on the third day was raised from the dead, then that should have a huge impact in your life and you will change. In other words, you will be reborn. This is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual rebirth. If you are in Christ, then you are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Christ is the way to salvation, but Christ also gave us two Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39):
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your heart.
- Love your neighbor like yourself.
Christ also charged us with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
- Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us.
Christ also gave us a lot of other commands and ways to live our lives. It is tough to live the way Christ has commanded, but it is what should be done.
See our life does not stop after 1 through 6 above, but is just beginning. It will not be an easy road to follow and I am sure you like I, who continues to stumble everyday, will fail from time to time. It is not the failing that is important, but what you do as a result of that failure. Remember, there is only one unforgivable sin (Mark 3:28-29).
The reason people stop or give up is because they are believing the lies that Satan is whispering in their ears. Remember, Satan is still at war with God and the end result is that He will be cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented for ever and ever. You have a choice, you can be with Satan forever being tormented or you can be with Jesus and God forever being at peace, no more pain, no more death, and loved. Will you believe in Jesus? Will you truly acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God and came to earth to die for your sins, and was risen on the third day by God, and is your Lord and Savior? Will you pick up your cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24-26)?