Salvation – The Basics

 

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

We are all sinners

One must be lost to be saved and there are so many in this day and time that have been so taught that they are not at fault, they are not to blame; and it carries to their thoughts about salvation. One must see themselves as God sees them as a sinner before they will seek a saviour.

Note these verses:

1 John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Galatians 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Proverbs 24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Sin has a wage

The payment for sin is death. Furthermore, God calls it a wage; simply meaning we earn it. The death that it speaks of is a spiritual death in a place called hell. It’s amazing how many preach people into heaven and not out of hell, simply trying to make salvation so enticing that people will choose to go. But is that salvation if you not getting saved from something???

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Peter 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Hell is not meant for us

God’s desire is that all should come to repentance. When hell was created it wasn’t created as some mean spirited place to unjustly punish us, it was an abode created to store those angels that fell in sin to the earth. While it was not created for us it IS the destination for those who would reject the gift that God has provided.

Matthew 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

God’s Desire is that no one should perish

Throughout history God has ALWAYS created a way to get to Himself through obedience. Most of the time that obedience was a single task or restriction; such as:

  • Don’t eat the fruit of the tree (Adam)
  • Get on the boat (Noah)
  • Arise and go to a land I will show you (Abraham)
  • Accept the Gift of Christ (anyone today)

As a result of God always making a path we know what His desire is and what we need to do. He never hides this direction and makes the path clear.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How we get saved

Salvation isn’t a process or even a relationship; it’s a choice. The choice is simple: to accept God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ. Religion takes the simplicity of salvation and adds to it baptism, church membership, speaking in tongues, ceremonies, etc.; but God didn’t place those things on the modern church. We don’t require signs or wonders, just a choice. Often people are led to say… I’m too far gona a sinner to be saved… or that there is a need to improve yourself then “present yourself to God”… again that is the religious mindset talking. Jesus died for us at our lowest state:

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Gift that God gives is like any other. If someone buys you a birthday present and you never open it, did you “receive it?”

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This gift comes without price to us, but it is very expensive; the life of Jesus. He gave His life for ours so when we receive this gift, we fulfill God’s purpose of salvation.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the only way, like mentioned above; religious works won’t do it… it’s Jesus and Jesus alone.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whosoever means anyone, in any state, at any age, in any circumstances.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Once the sin debt has been paid… it’s paid in full.

The Gospel

The Gospel is something that has been so thrown about by the modern church that people often loose sight of what it really means. The Gospel has different uses in the New Testament but is considered the “Good News” of what Jesus did in the area of salvation. The power that it has is what you are accepting when you get saved. The acknowledgement of the truth of the Gospel and following this truth.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Now is the day of Salvation

We are not promised tomorrow. If the Lord is dealing with your heart… get saved today!

2 Corinthians 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Assurance

Once someone received the gift of God, Jesus Christ; the devil immediately attacks you with doubt. This is why it is SO important to read your Bible and get in church to learn more about what God has in store you you.

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Addl.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.