GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
Today, if you were called into eternity are you absolutely certain that you would go to Heaven? Maybe you have been so busy with life that you have not taken the time to consider eternity. But according to 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." This could be your last day, your last chance of ever being born again. Please heed these Scriptures whereby you can know that if you were to die today or if Jesus should come, you would know for certain that you would go to Heaven.
Man's Condition
First, you must realize that you are a sinner: Sin is not only the transgression of God's Ten Commandments but also failure to do good when we know we should. God created the world in a perfect state but man's rebellion resulted in physical and spiritual death. This sinful nature has been passed down to every descendent of Adam and Eve. The Bible declares "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because you are a sinner you are condemned to death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). After death comes God's judgment, "It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). By dying in sin and facing God, we will be sentenced to the second death which is eternal separation from God in a place of torment (Revelation 20:15).
God's Remedy
Second, realize that is not God's will for you. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). That is right, God loves you so much that He gave His only son for you so that you could be saved. "For he hath made Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus shed His precious blood and died for us, "without the shedding of blood there is no remission (pardon)" (Hebrews 9:22). Although we cannot fully understand how, God said all of our sins were laid upon the Lord Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This is an incredible truth from Scripture because God cannot lie.
Our Response
Third, God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner and also agrees with what Jesus did on the cross. We also believe that if one truly repents, there will be a change in direction, action, attitude and desire. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:11)
In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…" Simply believe on Him alone as the only one who could have borne your sin debt, died in your place, was buried and whom God resurrected. His resurrection powerfully assures that his believers can claim everlasting life by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their only Saviour. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). By calling on and trusting in Christ as your Saviour you could pray something like this "Dear God, I confess that I am a guilty sinner and I need to be saved. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay my sin debt and that He rose again. Please forgive my sin, come into my heart and save my soul. I now receive You Jesus as my Saviour. Amen." We must remember its not a sinners prayer or specific words that will save you but rather coming to a place of personal repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
So with what you have been shown out of the Bible today, what will you do? Will you repent and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour? Make that decision today. You will never be sorry that you have been saved.
The New Birth
After salvation, you need to follow the Lord in believers’ baptism (Act 16:37-39). Beyond that, we encourage you to join a local New Testament Independent Baptist Church (Hebrews 10:25). Become active and support the church by attendance every time the doors are open.