God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind

If tragedy struck and you were to die today, are you 100% certain that you would be in heaven tomorrow?

This can be a difficult question to ask ourselves. But, it is a very important question; it asks us about our relationship with God. I’m not asking if you think you’re a good person and “deserve” to be in heaven because you are better than others you see.

God tells us that we cannot have a place waiting for us in heaven after this life is over based on our own good deeds or a good life that we have lived. God wants to have a spiritual relationship with each of us.

The steps that follow help us to understand how to have this relationship and live life the way God intended for us all along!

MAN’S PROBLEM

Separation from God

The Bible declares, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23

But where did this start, “Therefore, just as through one man’s sin [Adam] entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” – Romans 5:12

To sin means to do what is wrong: tell a lie, think a bad thought, hurt someone, etc.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23

Death means: separation from God for all eternity in a place called “Hell”

God is holy and righteous and will judge us of our sin

God's Plan

To Bring Us Back

The Bible declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 5:8

God wants a relationship with each of us and the only way this was going to happen was through a “final and complete sacrifice”
for sins

The only one who could give this sacrifice was one who had no sin – the Son of God, Jesus. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven - we all fall short of God’s perfect righteousness

GOD’S GIFT

Free Gift of Grace

Grace is “a free, undeserved, spontaneous love for all sinful humanity, revealed and made effective in
Jesus Christ”

The Bible declares, “For God so loved the world [You & I] that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish [Separation from God], but have eternal life” – John 3:16

This is the “Good News” of the Bible, the message of the Gospel. It’s the message of the gift of God’s own Son who became man (100% God-100% man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is God’s Son and the payment of His death for us as our substitute

Scripture tells us, “He was given over because of our transgressions [Sins] and was raised for the sake of our justification [God’s Intervention to Help Us Gain Forgiveness For Our Sins]” – Romans 4:25

RECEIVING SALVATION FROM GOD

Recognize Sin and Accept God’s Gift

Because of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, we can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins.

The Bible declares, “But to all who have received him [Jesus] - those who believe in his name - he has given the right to become God's children” – John 1:12

The Bible also tells us, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one [You and I] who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God” – John 3:17-18

This means we must each come to God: (1) as a sinner who recognizes they need forgiveness from God, (2) who realizes no human efforts can create salvation, and (3) who relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation

You can put your trust in Christ TODAY as your personal Savior! You can express your faith in Christ by a simple prayer acknowledging your sinfulness, accepting His forgiveness and putting your faith in Christ for your salvation:

“Dear God, I come to you today understanding that I am a sinner and cannot change myself from being a sinner. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and accept me as your child as I put my faith and trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me from an eternity separated from you and heaven. Amen”

CONGRATULATIONS!

If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all your heart, you are now a child of God and will be spending eternity with Him and other believers in heaven when you die.

Because of this, you can be 100% sure that you will live in heaven for eternity.

But this isn’t the end – this is only the beginning! There are a few things that you need to begin doing with this new relationship you have: (1) Let others know about the commitment you’ve made, (2) begin going to a Bible-preaching church to understand more of who God is and how he can daily change your life, and (3) continue to pray to God – just like talking to a friend – to get to
know him better!

If you are looking for a church home today, I welcome you to attend Faubion United Methodist Church where we can support you and encourage your growth as a new Christian!

Send me an email if you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior!

Pastor Tim Melin

Tim.faubionumc@gmail.com