For the preaching
of the cross
is to them that perish
foolishness;
but unto us
which are saved
it is the
power of God.
I Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
What is Salvation, and what must I do to be Saved?
We think life’s most important question is “Are you going to heaven when you die?” It is not a question of how good you are, whether you go to church, or how much money you give to charity. God says, in order to go to heaven, you must be born again. (John 3:3)
The plan of salvation is right in the Bible. God gives us His clear plan for being “born again.”
First, we must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything and accept our humble position in God's creation. "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
Next, we must realize that we are sinners. "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Because we are sinners, we are condemned to death. "For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) This includes eternal separation from God.
But God loved each of us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear our sin and die in our place. "God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Although we cannot understand how, God said our sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. Jesus became our substitute.
In the Bible, a jailer asked his prisoners, Paul and Silas: "What must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:30-31)
It’s very clear in the Bible, believe in Jesus as the one who bore your sins on the cross, dying in your place, and who was buried and raised from death. It is Christ’s blood and resurrection that assures us of salvation and eternal life when we call on Him as our Lord and Savior. "For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Whoever includes each and every one of us.
Therefore, if you understand that you are a sinner, and you believe that Jesus Christ came as the one and only Redeemer of sin, then you understand the plan of salvation. The question is: “Are you ready?”
It's time. This is the day!
