Before we can even get to those questions, we first have to come to a Biblical (not popular
or commonly taught) understanding of who, and what, God truly is. Salvation is not a feeling, a one-shot deal, or a game.
Coming to Christ, is a serious life change, and if YOU are serious, you will take the time to read this most important message.
WHO IS GOD?
Understanding who God is, is essential to knowing more about His character. Please take
the time to read this.
WHAT IS GOD?
What moral or principled charateristics come to mind, when a person thinks of God? Holiness,
peace, joy, love? Those are all true, and they are the easiest ones. What about:
- Just (Isaiah 45:21)
- Righteous (Psalms 7:9)
- Goodness (Matthew 19:17)
- Angry (Psalms 7:11)
- Jealous (Exodus 34:14)
- Perfect (Matthew 5:48)
When God gave Moses the 10 commandments, He said to Moses, "I am the LORD thy God, which
have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Exodus 20:2), and then began to list, what He expected of them. Being a holy God, delivering
His people from slavery and oppression, God gave them rules to live by. These are the 10 Commandments God gave:
(1) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
(2) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that
is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself
to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto
the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
(3) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
(4) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all
thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor
thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days
the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the
sabbath day, and hallowed it.
(5) Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee.
(6) Thou shalt not kill.
(7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
(8) Thou shalt not steal.
(9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
(10) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's
wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
These are the 10 commandments God gave to Moses. This is the behavior He expected of the
people that serve Him.
The Bible tells us that the law (this is Gods law) of the LORD is perfect, converting
the soul (Psalm 19:7). In simple terms, this means that when we hold ourselves up to the law of God our thoughts, our words,
our actions, we can see that we fall quite short of the expected behavior He demands from us.
When we look through the ten commandments, the law of God, we can easily see that we have
broken at least one of them, probably more, and probably on a regular basis. The Bible says that if youve broken only 1 of
the laws, youre just as guilty as if youd broken them all. (James 2:10). This is a serious offense. With serious consequences.
Going back to the Biblical understanding that God is holy, good, righteous and just, we
have to honestly ask ourselves, if we died tonight, and found ourselves standing before this good, and perfect God, would
we be granted access to Heaven? An evangelist said it this way: "The very thing (goodness) about God that sinners believe
will save them from eternal condemnation, is the very thing that will CONDEMN them. It is BECAUSE God is good and holy and
righteous, that He MUST punish sin where it is found".
This leaves us in a very dangerous position. Weve created a god in our own minds, that
is a comfortable god, a lenient god that allows us to do whatever we choose to do, and then will welcome us into his presence
on the day of judgement, because he is forgiving and loving. This is NOT the God of the Holy Bible. This is a made up god,
that weve custom tailored to suit our sinful lifestyle violating the very first commandment.
So what GOOD is this law of God, if there is NO WAY we can keep it? The law is VERY good,
it cannot save us, but it DOES show us that we need to BE saved. It shows us there is a disease, that we have it, that its
terminal, and we need a cure.
The Bible teaches us that the law is a schoolmaster, or a teacher, that BRINGS us, to
Jesus. (Galatians 3:24) Only by Jesus, can we find hope. This is what the Bible says about what He did for us, and why:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
1Cor. 6: 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Acts 4: 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before
you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 3:16 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 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.
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.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
THIS,
is Biblical salvation.
Now that you have come this far reading this, what do
you do with this information?
If youve read this, and you understand that you are a sinner, in need of a Savior, a prayer
from your heart, to Gods ears, is what is required of you.
Not required in the sense that you can do ANYTHING on your own, apart from God, to be
saved... but required because you now see, by His grace, that He has called you to repent, turn from your wicked ways, and
serve Him, and Him alone. Make no mistake about this, salvation, as Ephesians 2:8 tells us, is a gift from God. While neither
you nor I ever did, our could do anything to earn this gift, what is required of your heart now, is a simple and earnest cry
of "God, forgive me."
We would encourage you to seriously consider your sinful state, before a Holy God, and
what might happen to you, if you were to die tomorrow, and stand before Him. As stated at the beginning of this article, salvation
is not a game, or a feeling it is life, or death.
Below is a sample prayer, that you might like to read. When you pray to the Lord, dont
concern yourself with flowery language, He already knows what youre thinking and feeling, He simply wants to hear it from
you.
Dear God, I confess I am a sinner and need forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin.
Thank you Father for drawing me to yourself, and showing
me your mercy.
God, give me a new will, to turn from my sins, and serve
you.
I now receive Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross,
for me.
In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
If you just prayed that prayer, and meant it from your heart, you are a BRAND NEW creation,
in Christ Jesus!!! Praise God, and welcome to the family.
This is JUST the beginning of a wonderful new life, that He has for you.
Just like with any other relationship, the one you have with Jesus requires your time,
your devotion, your willingness to learn, and your sincerity. The one BIG difference is, the relationship you now have with
Jesus, is THE most important one, you will ever have.
A few things to help you begin this new life with Him:
Read your bible every
day, to get to know Him. If you dont have one, get one, right away. The Holy Scriptures have been called by some: "God's love
letter to humanity" you need to know what that letter says! There are numerous versions of the bible available, and the truth
is, they are not all the same. We strongly encourage you to get an Authorized King James version. Start by reading
the gospel of John, in the New Testament. You might like to read the book of Romans, next. Then, go to the very beginning
and start with Genesis, and read a little each day. Pray before you read, that God would prepare your heart to receive, and
understand His word.
Pray
every day, and talk to God. Many new believers have no idea how to pray, and this is normal. It's very simple, you tell Him
what's on your heart. He already knows anyway, but He wants you to come to Him and tell Him, to rely on Him for guidance,
wisdom, strength & comfort. Always thank Him for what He's done for you, give Him all praise and honor, He's worth it!!
Find
a bible-believing, bible-teaching church, where Jesus is preached, and the bible is the final authority. All churches are
NOT the same. If you dont know any Christians to go to church with, look in your phone book and start calling some churches,
and ask them some questions.
Simple questions to ask would be:
- do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin?
- do you believe that He died and rose again
on the third day?
- do you believe the bible is the inspired,
infallible holy word of God?
Believe it or not, many, many churches do not believe these things, and do not teach them.
Even ones that call themselves "Christian" churches. While you've got them on the phone, ask them if they can send you, or
if you can come pick up a copy of their "statement of faith", this will help you learn what the church actually believes and
preaches.
Did you pray that prayer???
Please let us know, by posting a short note on the
Prayer Request link so that we might pray FOR you also, as you
begin your new life, in Christ!
If you need help in finding a local church to worship at, check out the links found here
in the Church Directory
