For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
First things first.
Before we can appreciate this good news, we must first know the bad news. The bad news is that even though God loves us very dearly and desires to have fellowship with us (John 3:16), our sins separate us from Him (Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:19-21). And because of our sins and rejection of God’s forgiveness in His Son, Jesus, we are destined for everlasting punishment (John 3:18, Matthew 13:41-42, Matthew 25:46).
In need of a Savior.
Have you ever stopped to think about your life – the things you do and how you treat people. A number of years ago I thought about these things and although most people thought of me as a nice guy because I did a lot of “good” and nice things, I realized that I was a hypocrite. I said I believed in Jesus, yet much of the life I was living denied that I even knew who He was. I was still going to church just about every Sunday, and although I knew about Jesus, I did not know Him as my Lord and Savior, and He did not know me as one of His followers (Matthew 7:21-23). And although I may have been doing more “good” than “bad,” what I was doing was often not very good at all and I realized that it was, in fact, sinful. For the first time in my life, not because of what I heard someone say, but because of what the Bible says, I realized I was a sinner. I finally realized I needed forgiveness for my sins (Romans 3:23, Romans 4:7) and I needed Jesus because He had done everything for me. He gave his life for me, He died for me, and paid the full price for my sins (Romans 5:8-10).
Receiving Jesus.
I knew He could forgive me of all my sins if I would just ask Him to (1 John 1:9). So I did. I prayed, “Oh dear God, I have been such a hypocrite. I have done so many things I shouldn’t have. I am a sinner and I need forgiveness. I am sorry for the things I have done and the way I have been living. Please, dear God, forgive me of my sins. I need you in my life. I need Jesus. I believe the Bible is true and I believe in You, even if no one else does—I know You are real and alive. Please, dear God, lead me to a church that teaches the Bible. And God, I need friends who believe in You, too. Please, dear God, give me Christian friends. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
The joy of salvation.
That day I repented (turned) from my sinful lifestyle (Luke 13:3) and my life was changed forever (1 Peter 1:6-9). Jesus came into my life (Galatians 2:20) that day and has answered my prayers and more. He has given me hope in the darkest of times and strength to make it through the difficulties of life (Psalms 23:4, Psalms 31:24, Isaiah 12:2).
Eternal life in Jesus.
Most importantly, since He has forgiven me of my sins, I now have His promise of eternal life (1 John 5:11-13) in the kingdom of heaven where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain (Revelation 21:4). The Bible tells us that if we believe in Him, we can KNOW that we have eternal life (Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 5:13), not because of our “good” works, but because of what Jesus has done for us (Ephesians 2:8-9). I was dead in my sins, but now have been born again and have a new life in Jesus (John 3:3, Colossians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Assurance of salvation.
I now know that not only do I know Jesus, but He knows me! Jesus tells us, “My sheep know my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish,” (John 10:27-28). I was on the wide path that leads to hell (Matthew 7:13-14), but now that I follow Jesus, I know that my eternal destiny is heaven (1 John 5:11, 1 Peter 1:3-5). I thank the Lord for all that He has done for me and so I have given my life to Jesus (Mark 8:34-35).
An open invitation.
What is your eternal destiny? Salvation from our sins is available for all of us! (Romans 6:23, Romans 10:13, 2 Peter 3:9) If you have already given your life to Him, praise God! But if you haven’t, I pray that you will so that you also will know the hope and joy that only Jesus can bring into our lives. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to pray and confess your sins to Jesus, turn away from them, and ask Jesus into your life. Then trust in Him alone as your Savior and follow Him alone as your Lord (John 14:6)—and He will show you the Way, the Truth, and the Life He has for you!
Before we can appreciate this good news, we must first know the bad news. The bad news is that even though God loves us very dearly and desires to have fellowship with us (John 3:16), our sins separate us from Him (Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:19-21). And because of our sins and rejection of God’s forgiveness in His Son, Jesus, we are destined for everlasting punishment (John 3:18, Matthew 13:41-42, Matthew 25:46).
In need of a Savior.
Have you ever stopped to think about your life – the things you do and how you treat people. A number of years ago I thought about these things and although most people thought of me as a nice guy because I did a lot of “good” and nice things, I realized that I was a hypocrite. I said I believed in Jesus, yet much of the life I was living denied that I even knew who He was. I was still going to church just about every Sunday, and although I knew about Jesus, I did not know Him as my Lord and Savior, and He did not know me as one of His followers (Matthew 7:21-23). And although I may have been doing more “good” than “bad,” what I was doing was often not very good at all and I realized that it was, in fact, sinful. For the first time in my life, not because of what I heard someone say, but because of what the Bible says, I realized I was a sinner. I finally realized I needed forgiveness for my sins (Romans 3:23, Romans 4:7) and I needed Jesus because He had done everything for me. He gave his life for me, He died for me, and paid the full price for my sins (Romans 5:8-10).
Receiving Jesus.
I knew He could forgive me of all my sins if I would just ask Him to (1 John 1:9). So I did. I prayed, “Oh dear God, I have been such a hypocrite. I have done so many things I shouldn’t have. I am a sinner and I need forgiveness. I am sorry for the things I have done and the way I have been living. Please, dear God, forgive me of my sins. I need you in my life. I need Jesus. I believe the Bible is true and I believe in You, even if no one else does—I know You are real and alive. Please, dear God, lead me to a church that teaches the Bible. And God, I need friends who believe in You, too. Please, dear God, give me Christian friends. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
The joy of salvation.
That day I repented (turned) from my sinful lifestyle (Luke 13:3) and my life was changed forever (1 Peter 1:6-9). Jesus came into my life (Galatians 2:20) that day and has answered my prayers and more. He has given me hope in the darkest of times and strength to make it through the difficulties of life (Psalms 23:4, Psalms 31:24, Isaiah 12:2).
Eternal life in Jesus.
Most importantly, since He has forgiven me of my sins, I now have His promise of eternal life (1 John 5:11-13) in the kingdom of heaven where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain (Revelation 21:4). The Bible tells us that if we believe in Him, we can KNOW that we have eternal life (Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 5:13), not because of our “good” works, but because of what Jesus has done for us (Ephesians 2:8-9). I was dead in my sins, but now have been born again and have a new life in Jesus (John 3:3, Colossians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Assurance of salvation.
I now know that not only do I know Jesus, but He knows me! Jesus tells us, “My sheep know my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish,” (John 10:27-28). I was on the wide path that leads to hell (Matthew 7:13-14), but now that I follow Jesus, I know that my eternal destiny is heaven (1 John 5:11, 1 Peter 1:3-5). I thank the Lord for all that He has done for me and so I have given my life to Jesus (Mark 8:34-35).
An open invitation.
What is your eternal destiny? Salvation from our sins is available for all of us! (Romans 6:23, Romans 10:13, 2 Peter 3:9) If you have already given your life to Him, praise God! But if you haven’t, I pray that you will so that you also will know the hope and joy that only Jesus can bring into our lives. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to pray and confess your sins to Jesus, turn away from them, and ask Jesus into your life. Then trust in Him alone as your Savior and follow Him alone as your Lord (John 14:6)—and He will show you the Way, the Truth, and the Life He has for you!
“Indeed, God is ready to help you right now.
Today is the day of salvation.”
Growing in faith.
I encourage you to pray in Jesus’ name every day, read the Bible every day, and find a good Bible teaching church (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 2:42). If you’ve tried reading the Bible before by starting in the Old Testament at the very beginning, this time try starting in the New Testament in the book of Matthew or John. The entire Bible is important and valuable, but the New Testament speaks more directly about Jesus and our lives today. Also, pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read (John 14:26).
Below are some additional resources that may be helpful to you as you begin your new life following Jesus as your Savior and Lord, but always remember to compare what you learn to the truth found in the full context of God’s Word, the Bible (Acts 17:11).
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“ (Romans 15:13),
Joe
I encourage you to pray in Jesus’ name every day, read the Bible every day, and find a good Bible teaching church (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 2:42). If you’ve tried reading the Bible before by starting in the Old Testament at the very beginning, this time try starting in the New Testament in the book of Matthew or John. The entire Bible is important and valuable, but the New Testament speaks more directly about Jesus and our lives today. Also, pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read (John 14:26).
Below are some additional resources that may be helpful to you as you begin your new life following Jesus as your Savior and Lord, but always remember to compare what you learn to the truth found in the full context of God’s Word, the Bible (Acts 17:11).
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“ (Romans 15:13),
Joe
Helpful resources.
Websites:
Are You A Good Person?
About Heaven
Information for New Believers
Finding a Good Church
Books:
Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
