Copyright: Copyright ©1996  New Life Victory Center, Eleanor
Citation: All Rights Reserved


Contents

Why do I need Jesus?

What must I do to be saved?

What next?

Taking it deeper.

Common Doubts & Misconceptions

About Bible Helps


Why do I need Jesus
Why do I need Jesus?

So many feel that they are as good as the next person, better in some cases, and believe God will honor that.  If we are to live by the Truth, however, we must look at what the Bible says, rather than what seems right to us.  Accordingly we discover that we need Jesus because no matter how good we are, we will always come up short.

When Adam disobeyed God he corrupted the seed of man, and through him spiritual death was passed on to all his descendants.  Since Adam was the first and only created man, all mankind is descended from him, and therefore inherit his sin.  In order for this trend to be broken, someone would have to be born apart from a man.  For absolute purity, the mother must have never even had intercourse.  This came about nearly 2000 years ago through a young lady by the name of Mary.

Jesus became the second Adam so that anyone who would accept His gift could be adopted into a new family lineage and be released from the sin heritage.


Romans 3:23
Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;


1 Corinthians 15:22
1 Corinthians 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.


Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.


Luke 1:27
Luke 1:27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.


1 Corinthians 15:45
1 Corinthians 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.


Romans 8:15
Romans 8:15  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.


What must I do to be saved?

I'm not sure what you may have heard, but for the moment forget it!  This will simplify what God has to say about His gift to you.  When Jesus was asked this question He gave a simple answer, "You must be born again".  In that same spirit of simplicity I wish to present to you how to be saved.

Have you ever received a gift, say, for your birthday or Christmas?  If so, someone presented you with a gift they had selected just for you.  You were given the gift, opened it, and took it with you.

Salvation is a gift from God.  To be saved you must accept the gift (the sacrifice of Jesus for the elimination of your sins).  First you must agree in your heart that God sent His only born son to die for you.  Then you must "open" it, or tell God that you accept the gift.  Then you must take it with you where ever you go.


John 3:3
John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.


About Bible Helps
Bible Helps is published by New Life Victory Center in Eleanor, West Virginia.  Pastor Dennis L. Wyer is the author.  For a listing of other titles send a SASE to:

New Life Victory Center

P.O. Box 31

Eleanor, WV USA  25070

Contributions to help with the costs of developing and distributing these programs are always welcome.

If you have a document you would like to have converted to a Bible Help file, send it to the above address for an estimate on how much it would cost to produce a complete stand alone Help file for you.  Prices start as low as $50.


I can't walk the walk the walk!

I hear this often from backslidden and non Christians both.  My heart goes out to those who have been overcome by the religious snare that says once you become a Christian you must always and forever thereafter be perfect in all your ways.  The Truth of God's Word doesn't change.  There is none righteous, not one!  While John holds the same wish as all of us that no one would sin, he realistically points out that if you do sin you have an advocate with God to provide forgiveness.  Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Any time you renew anything it takes time.  Paul goes further by saying that he presses toward the mark for the prize of the high calling.  That's the mature Apostle Paul saying that.  God knows you're not going to be perfect over night.  If man could so readily perfect himself, there would have been no need for Jesus to die.

     I agree with you.  You can't walk the walk.  No one can.  That's why we have the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus.


John 16:33
John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


Common Doubts & Misconceptions

I can't walk the walk.

There are too many hypocrites in the church.

I was hurt in a church once.


What next?

     Now that you have accepted the gift of salvation you are just beginning a new life.  The Bible often compares that life to natural life, growing from infancy to adulthood.  The thing to remember as you are getting started is that as an infant in Christ you have three main responsibilities.

     First of all you must feed on the milk of the Word.  Don't try to get into deep theological discussions.  If some adolescent Christian tries to 'impress' you with how 'spiritual' they are, simply beg off saying "That sounds interesting, but I'm just trying to get a firm grasp on the basics right now."  There is no shame in that, and in the long run you'll be stronger for it.  Read your Bible, mainly John through Romans.  Those three books should be your main diet for the first 6 months of your Christian life.  Once you have digested most of the information in those letters pertaining to your new life, branch out to other New Testament books, saving Revelations for last.  Exercise caution as you enter the Old Testament.  Many new Christians make the mistake of jumping into the Old Testament (often with the ambition of reading the Bible from cover to cover) only to get trapped in a legalistic, condemning snare trying to digest the demands and curses of the Law.  Remember, we are no longer under the Law but are under grace.  There is nothing to condemn you now except Jesus, and He died to excuse your sins.

     Next you must learn to walk.  This is exercising your faith legs.  Initially the Christian life is very new and exciting.  As time progresses you will need to stand the trials and temptations of life as you begin to mature.  Allow God to lead you to an area of your life that needs some correction.  Don't try to move the whole mountain at one time!  God will help you deal with areas of sin in your life as He see's fit.  Learn to confess God's Word in challenging situations.  As your faith is tested, it will grow stronger and stronger.

     Finally it is every believer's duty to share what they have received with someone else.  If you're a shy person, this will be an opportunity for you to begin eliminating that carnal attribute.  Shyness is a form of fear, and we are not to walk in fear.  Don't debate doctrine or character!  Many unbelievers run from God's Truth with a smoke screen of doctrinal debate or criticism of Christians.  Your response should always be, "I don't know about that, I just know that I was going to Hell, but Jesus saved me.  How about you?"  In childhood and adolescence you are not ready to debate the Word and should resist the temptation to do so.


Taking it deeper.

     As you grow you will learn more and more about what your salvation means to you.  Religion tends to make salvation just a ticket to heaven, but it is so much more.  In the original Greek language of the New Testament sozo was the word for salvation.  It meant 'deliverance from all peril'.  That's a pretty broad statement!  Under the Old Covenant, God made provision for Israel to walk in health and prosperity (sometime read Deuteronomy 28) if they obeyed the terms of the Covenant.  Our Covenant with God today is far better than the one Israel had with Him.  You'll find that many people put more stock in their circumstances than in God's Word.  Some believe that after Jesus' sacrifice we were left on our own with no further promise than to one day make it to heaven.

     Jesus said He came to give us an abundant life.  He provided for our spiritual, physical and mental healing.  Financial prosperity is even a part of the covenant!  We have a wonderful Covenant with God, but we must learn to grow into it.  A covenant is a contract between two people stating the terms both sides must fulfill.  We have a responsibility ourselves.  It is best summed up in Matthew chapter 6:  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Mat 6:33


Hebrews 5:13
Hebrews 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe (baby).


Hebrews 5:13-14
Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.


Romans 6:14
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.


Romans 8:1
Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


John 5:22
John 5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:


John 3:17
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.


Philippians 2:13
Philippians 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


James 1:3
James 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.


John 4:28-29
John 4:28-29  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?


Acts 3:6
Acts 3:6  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.


Hebrews 10:38-39
Hebrews 10:38-39  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.


Revelation 21:8
Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


Hebrews 8:6
Hebrews 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.


John 10:10
John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

     The 'thief' refers to Satan.  'I' refers to Jesus.  The abundant life is not referring to money or possessions but a satisfying, fulfilling life.


1 Peter 2:24
1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.


Matthew 8:17
Matthew 8:17  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.


John 14:27
John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


Deuteronomy 8:18
Deuteronomy 8:18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.


3 John 1:2
3 John 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.


1 John 2:1
1 John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:


Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


Philippians 3:14
Philippians 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


There are too many hypocrites in the church
There are too many hypocrites in the church.

     By hypocrite most mean that they preach one thing but practice another.  First, let's look at the logic (or lack of logic) in this reasoning.  Today there are more non-Christians than Christians in the world.  As one who has made a study of human behavior, I have discovered that this type of hypocrisy exists among all people, saved or unsaved.  What you are saying here is that you would rather go to hell with the hypocrites rather than go to heaven in spite of them.  The logic escapes me.

     Let's look at it in a more realistic light.  Those who do not understand salvation will use this without realizing that this is the very reason why they should accept Christ's sacrifice for them.  By the world's definition of hypocrisy, they are right.  The church is full of hypocrites.  The truth, however, is that a genuine believer never claims to be perfect, but rather knows all too well his imperfections.  The true believer depends solely on the grace of God for the forgiveness of his wrongs.  The faithful Christian aspires to be perfect.  Is a person aspiring to be wealthy a hypocrite because he has none?  Certainly not, but he will let you know of his goals and plans to get there!  As a Christian we may not be perfect yet, but we do know that when Christ appears, we'll be like Him.  Until then we must press toward the mark, judging no one.


1 John 3:2
1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.


1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Corinthians 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.


I was hurt in a church once.

Luke 17:1  "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"

     I don't care if you are in the church or in the world.  Sometime, somewhere you will be hurt by someone.  The fact is people are not perfect, not even in the church.

The hard truth, however, is not how other people behave, but how you react to their behavior.  In most cases an offender is not even aware they have caused an offense.  They go on with their lives as though nothing were wrong.  You, however, nurture that offense into full blown bitterness that affects the rest of your life, even into eternity.

     Paul teaches that it is more important to guard your salvation.  Bitterness can send you to hell as well as effect those around you.  We must pray for those who offend us and not allow the temporary discomforts cheat us out of eternal glory.  If anyone ever told you that the Christian walk was a sissy walk, they were deceived.  Don't you be deceived, and don't forfeit your salvation because of another's immature, albeit inconsiderate, behavior.


Hebrews 12:15
Hebrews 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;


Luke 6:28
Luke 6:28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.