Salvation is the most important decision anyone can make in life. It is the gift of eternal life with God, and it begins with understanding that God loves us deeply and desires a relationship with us. However, our sin separates us from God. Sin is not just the wrong things we do, but also the failure to do what we know is right (James 4:17). The Bible defines sin as breaking God’s commands (1 John 3:4), and this separation keeps us from having a relationship with a holy and just God.
Despite our sinful nature, God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins so that we can be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God. This is the heart of the message of salvation: that God, in His great love, offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
In this message, we will explore the steps involved in salvation—what it means, why it’s necessary, and how you can respond to God’s call to receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Bible presents a clear path to salvation, offering forgiveness, new life, and an eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. However, salvation involves more than just accepting Christ as Saviour. It requires repentance, being born again, receiving the Holy Spirit, and living according to God’s will.
1. The Need for Repentance
The first step in the journey of salvation is repentance. Repentance means recognising our sin, feeling genuine sorrow for it, and turning away from it, choosing instead to live in obedience to God.
- Why repentance is necessary: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2)
Repentance is essential because sin separates us from God. Every person has sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Without repentance, we remain in our sin and under the condemnation that leads to spiritual death. - What repentance looks like: Repentance involves not only a change in behaviour but a change in heart. It is a conscious decision to turn away from sin and towards God.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Being Born Again: A New Life in Christ
The second essential aspect of salvation is being born again. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again to enter the kingdom of God:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
- What it means to be born again:
Being born again means experiencing a spiritual rebirth. This is not a physical rebirth but a transformation of the heart and spirit. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we are given new life.
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’” (John 3:5)
This new birth is not by human effort but by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s grace that enables us to become His children, receiving the power to live a new life in Christ.
3. Eternal Life in Christ
Jesus came to give us eternal life, a life that starts now and continues forever with God. This eternal life is not just about living forever but about having a deep, personal relationship with God.
- The promise of eternal life:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Eternal life is available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) - How to receive eternal life:
Salvation and eternal life are received by faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). To receive eternal life, we must place our trust in Jesus, believing that He died for our sins and rose again to give us new life.
4. The Danger of Separation from God
While God offers the gift of salvation, He also warns of the consequence of rejecting Him: eternal separation from His presence.
- Separation from the Father:
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18)
Those who reject Jesus, refuse to repent, and continue in sin remain separated from God. The Bible speaks of this separation as spiritual death, a fate that leads to eternal punishment apart from God.
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) - Eternal punishment:
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
God’s desire is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). It is vital to respond to His call and accept His grace.
5. How to Respond: What You Must Do
The good news is that God offers His salvation freely, and there is a clear path to receive it. Here’s how you can respond:
- Acknowledge your need for a Saviour: Recognise that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness and salvation.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) - Repent of your sins: Turn away from your sinful ways and ask God for forgiveness.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19) - Believe in Jesus Christ: Place your faith in Jesus as the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) - Confess Jesus as your Lord: Publicly confess that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) - Receive the Holy Spirit: After salvation, you are invited to receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers you to live for God and helps you grow in faith.
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Romans 8:9)
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you, guiding, teaching, and helping you to live according to God’s will.
6. The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the Christian life, as He empowers us to live in obedience to God, provides comfort, and leads us in truth.
- The Holy Spirit as our Helper:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17)
The Holy Spirit is a gift given to every believer, helping us to live in the power of God’s presence. - The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to live as witnesses of Christ in the world and to produce fruit in our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) - The Holy Spirit seals our salvation:
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
The Holy Spirit is a guarantee of our eternal inheritance in Christ and a witness that we belong to God.
The Crucifixion and Invitation to Salvation
Each one of us will one day give an account of our lives—our thoughts, actions, and motives. Who can stand before a holy and just God? If you didn’t know, Jesus came to save us from our sinful nature. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, and only God can forgive sins.
Sin is knowing the right thing to do and not doing it. As well as transgressing the 10 commandments, it includes things like sexual immorality, lying, anger, hatred, jealousy, unforgiveness, and much more—sins that separate us from God. But the call to salvation is for everyone. Regardless of wealth, status, sexual orientation, or religious background, Jesus invites you to turn from sin and accept His gift of salvation. There’s nothing we can do to earn it; salvation is by grace alone, not through good works. Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross so we could be restored to God.
He was crucified, with nails driven through His hands and feet, a crown of thorns on His head, and He died for our sins. But three days later, He rose from the dead—Jesus is alive! Now is the time to respond. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s not the prayer itself that saves you; it’s the belief, repentance, and trust in Jesus. He is returning soon, and we must be ready to give an account.
So, turn from darkness to light, from sin to salvation, and follow Jesus. Confess your sins, repent, and start living a righteous life trusting in Him daily. Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, read your Bible, and stay connected to God in prayer. He’s waiting with open arms. Embrace His love and gift of eternal life today!
Conclusion: The Invitation
God is extending an invitation to you today:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” (Revelation 3:20)
If you are ready to respond to the call of salvation, here is a prayer you can pray:
A Prayer for Salvation:
“Lord Jesus, I recognise that I am a sinner and in need of Your forgiveness. I repent of my sins, turn away from them, and ask You to cleanse me. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again. I invite You into my life as my Lord and Saviour. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live according to Your will. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you have prayed this prayer and believed in your heart, you are saved, born again, and have received the Holy Spirit. This is the beginning of a new life in Christ!
What next?
7 Things To Do After Getting Saved
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**Photo by Brett Sayles at Pexels
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