The Steps to Salvation

 

Are you saved?

 

If you are unsure about this answer, the following words will be of utmost importance, as they will impact your spiritual and eternal future. Our lifetime here is infinitesimally small in comparison to eternity. I encourage you, dear friend, to take the time to thoughtfully read the following.

 

God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, is holy and perfect. Yet each one of us has violated His holiness, His perfection, His divine will, by our sin.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

 

In light of this, recognize and acknowledge with a humble heart that you, like each one of us, has sinned against God. Then, after assessing the areas in which you have sinned as best as you can, freely confess your sins to God.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

 

Having confessed your sins, repent of sin; release sinful ways and align your will with God’s will.

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord…for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)

 

You and I can do nothing to save us from eternal punishment. Yet God created a perfect plan. He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for each one of us. The blood of Jesus Christ paid the debt for our sins. On Calvary, God acted both as Judge and Justifier. Our action for salvation is to have faith in Him whom the Father sent. Believe then in the God-given gift of salvation available through the redemptive act of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus and make Him Lord of your life.

 

“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)

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)

 

Having done this, allow Christ to abide in your heart as you abide in His.

 

“He came unto His own, and His own received him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those that believe on His name.” (John 1:11-12)

 

Loving our Lord means obeying His commands.

“If you love me, you will obey my commands.” John 14:15

For our faith expresses itself through our actions.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:17-18)

 

The journey with Jesus only begins here with these steps, but it is a wondrous, joyous journey indeed! I encourage you to pray more and more each day, as it is through prayer that you communicate with your Father in Heaven. I encourage you also to read the Bible each day, as He communicates with you in His Word. You will know more intimately Him and His Way when you read fervently the love letter He sent in the Scripture. Attend also a local bible-centered church, as the Church is Christ’s Body on earth; the Church is God’s Family here, and your Family as well.

 

Are you saved? My hope and prayer is that you have walked through these steps and have started a life-long – indeed eternally-long – relationship with our Savior! I warmly welcome you then, brother or sister, to the divine Family!