SALVATION ... IS THIS FOR ME?
 
 
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God sent His
Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be
saved through Him.  John 3:16-17
 
Why was this necessary?  In Genesis Adam and Eve sinned against God
(rebellion) and therefore were condemned to death (separation from God).  God
in His love established the sacrificial system right then and there to cover
sin from His sight by sacrificing innocent animals ( read Genesis 3:21 ).
Later Moses, at the direction of God, established a formal sacrificial system
for the atonement of sins.
 
Unfortunately, this system was only temporary and had to be repeated over and
over again.  Only the sacrifice of man with the shedding of blood (blood bond
or covenant) could suffice as a permanent sacrifice.  Why a man?  Remember it
was a man who committed treason in the Garden of Eden and therefore only a man
could pay the price for the rebellion.  Where was there an innocent man?  God
so loved us, that he sacrificed His only own Son to pay the debt for the sins
of the world.  Nobody else could pay the debt because we are all guilty of
breaking God's Laws.
 
... since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are
justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ
Jesus.  Romans 3:23-24
 
This means that you can't be saved from eternal damnation by good works or
by living a clean life (all have sinned).  Sin is essentially breaking one
of God's laws, statutes, or covenants.
 
But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died
for us.  Romans 5:8
 
He loves us even though we are sinners.  Isn't this a much better love than
the love of man which is conditional.  This is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
 
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23
 
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might
become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21
 
How did Jesus pay the price for our sins?  Read on ........................
 
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness.  1 Peter 2:24
 
Righteousness is right standing with God.  This means we can enter the
throne room of God and bring our prayers and supplications.
 
Why do you have to believe in Jesus and accept him as your personal Savior?
If someone gave you a car and told you how to operate it, but you didn't
believe it and do what you were told, what good would the car do?  You have
to act in faith on your belief!  That means confessing that Jesus is the Son
of God; that His sacrifice provides forgiveness for your sins; that you are
redeemed by His blood, and that you accept Him as your personal Savior and
Lord.  When He died on the cross, he descended into Hell, paid your debt,
defeated Satan, and arose to sit at the right hand of God.  Now when Satan
says. "You did this and you did that", Jesus says, "Yes, but he is mine and
I paid the debt".
 
So, how can I receive salvation and become a child of God?  How can I receive
Jesus as my Lord and Savior?
 
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes
to the Father, but by me".  John 14:6
 
Then Jesus told His disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life
will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it".
Matthew 6:24-25
 
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly,
I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter
the Kingdom of Heaven."  Matthew 18:2-3
 
... for although they knew God they did not honor Him as God or give thanks
to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds
were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools ... Romans 1:21-22
 
It is so easy that we have a hard time actually believing it.  I struggled
with it for years until one day God opened my eyes and there it was in front
of me.  I couldn't see the trees for the forest.  Here is the answer ...
 
The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of
faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus
is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you
will be saved.  For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he
confesses with his lips and so is saved.  Romans 10:8-10
 
The scripture says, "No one who believes in Him will be put to shame."  For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all
and bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him.  For, "every one who
calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved".  Romans 10:11-13
 
That seems almost too easy doesn't it.  That is all there is to it!  Satan
would like you to think otherwise.  He would like to tell you that this is
impossible and you are wasting your time.  He would like you to think you
are unworthy.  He would like you to think that this is unecessary.  He is
wrong!  God is true.
 
If you do not think that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, or think this
is nonsense, then you need to move on.  If you have tried other ways, tried
it your way, and know that you are missing something big then I would like to
ask you to pray the following prayer.  I guarantee you that God will hear you
and respond to your plea.
 
  Father, I believe that Jesus is your Son, died on the cross for my sins,
  and arose from the grave to sit at your right hand.  I ask you to come
  into my heart now.  I accept the sacrifice that Jesus made.  I want Jesus
  to be my Lord and Savior.  I confess that I am a sinner, renounce all of
  my sins, and am truly sorry.  Forgive me now as I forgive those who have
  offended me.  Cleanse me with the Blood of Jesus.  Thank you Father and
  send the Holy Spirit to teach me your ways.  Amen.
 
If you have prayed this prayer I want to personally welcome you into the
family of God.  Find yourself a good Bible teaching church and begin your
pilgrimage home.  I praise God for your victory over Satan.  Leave us a
message telling us of your victory so we can pray for you.  If we can be
of any assistance, please feel free to call upon us.  May God bless you
in all your endeavors.

Larry