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God's Plan for Salvation
There are seven facts revealed in God's plan of salvation. Keep in mind that this is God's plan - not mans - it is God's, there is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of God. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
All roads may lead to Rome, but all religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that is God's way; and God's way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
God's salvation is threefold: First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26. Second, he appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after his resurrection,to save you from the power of sin. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24. 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: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1,2. Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as the "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" to save you from the very presence of sin. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28.
Now come to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to your soul.
I. IT IS A FACT THAT GOD LOVES YOU. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
It is an eternal fact that God loves you with an everlasting love that cannot be fathomed; it is so boundless that it can only be known by faith.
The little word "so" in the verse above is most expressive. It give you some concept of the magnitude of God's love. God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son, to be made sin for you, that you might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21).
Jesus Christ was made that which God hates: sin - that you might be made that which God loves: righteousness. Because God so loves you, you can exchange your sins for His righteousness. Could you ask for greater evidence of love? Calvary is proof that God loves, and longs to save you.
Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself that: "God loves me."
II. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
What is sin?
- Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
- Sin is unbelief; it calls God a liar (1 John 5:10)
- Sin is active rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2)
- Sin is passive rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2)
- All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17)
God, who cannot lie, said: "All have sinned." "All" includes you. You have sinned against God by thought, word and deed. You have commited sins of commission and sins of omission. In the sight of God, you are a lost sinner.
Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself: "I am a lost sinner, because I have sinned."
III. IT IS A FACT YOU ARE NOW DEAD IN SIN. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a sinner. Now God would have you know that "the wages of sin is death." You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as personal Saviour. The Apostle Paul said, "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). To be saved is to be spiritually alive in Christ.
What is death?
- Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you from God; you are dead in your sins.
- Death is physical separation; it separates the spirit and soul from the body.
- Death is eternal separation. If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God at the great white throne judgment, and there your sins will separate you from the mercy of God forever; this is hell (Revelation 20:11-15)
You know that God loves you, and that you are a sinner - dead in sins. Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself: "I am dead in sins."
IV. IT IS A FACT THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
He died for those who are unlike God; this includes you. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For he (God the father) hath made him (God the son) to be made sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (II Corinthians 5:21).
"For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the previous blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18,19).
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened in the spirit (1 Peter 3:18).
"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3).
In the light of these wonderful Scriptures, will you now thank God for His great love in sending His Son to bear your sins in His own body on the cross, and admit to yourself that: "Christ died on Calvary for me." Then, let's go to the next fact.
V. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED BY FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:30,31
The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The answer was quick in response, and positive in content: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his house; they believed and were saved. (NOTE: As we continue, some references are made as direct statements to an unsaved person, some to the faithful Christian. Let your heart judge which you are.)
What is this gospel that saves when believed?
First, it is: "that Christ died for our sins."
Second:
"that he was buried."Third:
"that he rose again the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)Jesus Christ the God-man died for you, was buried for you, and rose from the dead for you; and is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for you (1 John 2:1)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation only when you believe. Your faith in Jesus Christ releases the power of God that saves your soul.
The man born blind received physical sight by a miracle, but spiritual sight came when Jesus asked,
"Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" He answered "Lord, I believe" (John 9:35-38). Salvation came to Thomas when he believed, and confessed, "My Lord and my God."When you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9,10)
Accept him now by faith, and pray this prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I know that you love me, because You died on the cross bearing my sins. Thank you, Lord, for revealing to me my lost condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot save myself. I do now by faith, gladly accept You as my personal Saviour, and thank You, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen."Praise the Lord! Let's now go to fact #6.
VI.
IT IS A FACT HEAT YOU CAN BE SAVED AND KNOW IT. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:10-13"...that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." (verse 13 above). Upon the authority of God's Word, you can be saved and know it. Your faith in God's infallible Word is your assurance of salvation. "He that believeth on the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life" (John 3:36)
The Bible is a book of certainties. It strengthens convictions, and establishes beliefs. God would have you know:
(1) That you are now a child of God ( 1 John 3:2).
(2) That you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:1,4)
(3) That you are now a new creature in Christ (II
Corinthians 5:17).(4) That you are now a son and heir of God (Galatians 4:7). Could you have greater assurance that is found in God's infallible Word
? "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).Now, let's complete our seven facts.
VII.
IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW A CHILD OF GOD AND YOU ARE TO OBEY HIM. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29"We ought to obey God rather than men"
(above verse). You now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your Lord and Master, and "no man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24. Determine now to obey your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in all things:(1) Unite with a New Testament church.
"And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).(2) Follow Him in the ordinance of baptism (Acts 2:41). Baptism does not save; it is a witness of your faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4).
(3) Join a Sunday School class, and study the Word with God's children (II Timothy 2:15).
(4) Attend the worship services of your church ( Hebrews 10:25). You need the preaching of God's Word and Christian fellowship.
(5) Be a faithful steward ( 1 Corinthians 4:2). All that you are and have belong to God.
"Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price...." (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). As a faithful steward, you will pay God His tithe ( Malachi 3:10). The tithe is one-tenth of your income, and it is the Lord's (Leviticus 27:30).(6) Make time in your daily life to pray and read God's Word, that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.