Why all the talk about salvation? What does one need to be saved from in the first place? Why do I need to be saved?
As you go through life, it is clear to see no one is perfect. Even the best of people have let you down. We all make mistakes and miss the mark. In fact the Bible states, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Not only do we miss the mark in life, but we turn our back on God and His plans and purpose for our life (Romans 3:10-18).
No matter how small, any sin before a holy and perfect God is hideous before Him and deserving of punishment. The punishment for sin is death according to Romans 6:23 when it says, “for the wages of sin is death.”
How can a loving and forgiving God punish with death for sins? While being completely love God is also completely good and just. Would you consider an earthly judge who for love’s sake lets criminals go free be a just and good judge? Because God is good and just He must punish all sin.
However, God is also love and the second half of Romans 6:23 states, “but the free gift of God is Jesus Christ our Lord.” God acted on His own and presented us with an opportunity to have our sins paid for by the law, but also allow us to receive forgiveness of our sins and a new life with Him. Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates His own love for us, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God sent His son Jesus to earth to live a perfect, blameless life. He was innocent, yet killed unjustly so as to be the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Three days later Jesus rose from the grave having conquered death and returned to the Father in heaven. Romans 10:9 states, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus now sits at the right hand of God and is waiting for the appointed time to return and gather up all those who believe in Him and walk in accordance to His ways to spend an eternity with Him in heaven. Those who do not believe and trust in Jesus will spend an eternity separated from God suffering the punishment for their sins in hell.
There is nothing we can do on our own to earn salvation as Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our salvation is a free gift we receive and from the love Jesus expressed to us and the work He accomplished in His death and resurrection, we freely serve and love Him and others.
If you are convinced you have sinned; deserve an eternal separation from God and want forgiveness and mercy from God, you need to confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (your new boss) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!
If you have made this decision, please email us at info@livingwatersicc.org or call us at (813) 841-4571 or come to our Sunday morning service and share you new decision to believe in Jesus and surrender your life to Him.
