Adam and Eve brought sin into the world.  A separation developed between God and man as a result.  Their sin also meant that mankind was condemned to death and eternal separation from God upon dying.  During the Old Testament days, people offered animal sacrifices to cover their sins, and God would accept this when done according to His preset conditions.  However, Jesus came to earth and died on the cross as our ultimate sacrifice.  No longer does mankind have to offer animal sacrifices to cover sin because Jesus already took the punishment.  Consequently, we must believe in Jesus Christ and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior in order to go to Heaven.  Yet, it is far more important than just making it to Heaven’s gates.  When Jesus died on the cross, He built a bridge to the Father, reestablishing our means of fellowship with Him.  John 14:6 says, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”

 

Jesus came to earth, He died on the cross, and He took the punishment for our sins.  All of this has already been done for you and for me.  Although this gift is free, we have a part to play.  Each of us has a ticket available with our name on it.  However, unless you and I want it and go to Him to receive it, we will not have access to the Father and we will not abide with Him in Heaven when we die.  Plain and simple.  The choice belongs to each one of us.  Knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the foundation upon which all else is built. 

 

*More and more, I believe the Lord has impressed upon me a very important lesson.  Salvation is a condition of the heart.  There are many people that have never prayed the “sinner's prayer” and yet they know Jesus because they have sought Him in earnest.  There are others who have said the “sinner's prayer” and still do not know Him because they didn't mean the words they spoke. 

 

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”   That means that each and every one of has sinned.  Jesus Christ is the only person who has ever lived who did not sin. 

 

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  There is no other way.  Eternal life is a free gift but is comes THROUGH Jesus.

 

John 3:16,17

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”  Jesus’ death made the way for each of us to be saved.  He doesn’t condemn us.  He reaches out with nail scarred hands and lovingly calls us to Him.  That is who our Lord is.  He is love! 

 

Romans 10:9-11,13

“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  As the scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed’........................For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord he will be saved.”

 

Let’s think of salvation  in A, B, C terms:

 

A:  Acknowledge

We must acknowledge that we are all sinners, just as God’s word tells us above.  And we must be sorry for our sins.

 

B:  Believe

We must believe what the Bible teaches us.  We must believe that Jesus came and died for our sins and that God raised Him from the dead.  Notice that the Bible says we must believe “in our hearts.”  Salvation flows from the heart. 

 

C:  Confess

We must confess that we are sinners, ask God to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

 

 

Sample Salvation Prayer

 

Dear Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner.  I know that you died on the cross for my sins.  I believe you.  I want you to be the Lord of my life.  Please forgive me for all of my sins. Please wash me clean and make me white as snow.  Please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  I give myself to you.  Jesus, I thank you for hearing my prayer.  I thank you for answering my prayer.  I thank you that you are now my Lord and Savior.  I pray all of these things in your most precious and holy name, Jesus, amen.