Salvation
Christianity is a relationship with a spiritual being called Jesus who came and walked the earth in a land called Israel.
SEVEN STEPS TO SALVATION
by David Scott
Many people are asking today, “How can I know God? How can I get to heaven?” Jesus Christ clearly taught that there is only one way to know God and get to heaven. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) The apostle Peter expressed the same idea another way when he said, “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Sin separated us from God, bringing the penalty of death and eternity in a place of banishment. The Bible says, “All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) Thus, all mankind needs God’s salvation. Because of His love, God has not left us stranded in this condition. He provided the way of escape through His Son, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” ( John 3:16&17) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15)
The Bible also tells us that we can know for sure that we have passed from death to life. (1 John 3:14) There are many things in this world which you may never know, but God has not allowed something as important as our salvation to be uncertain. You can know that Jesus has saved you. You can know you are a child of God. You can know that you will live with Him for eternity. If you are not sure, there are seven steps to become certain:
FIRST – Realize you are a sinner. “All have sinned…” (Rom. 3:23) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…” (1 John 1:8)
SECOND – Be sorry for your sins. “Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation.” (2 Cor. 7:10)
THIRD – Confess your sins to God through Jesus, His Son. “For there is…one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) “He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Pro. 28:13)
FOURTH – Repent of your sins. That means to forsake them or to turn your back on them and to turn toward God. “Repent and be baptized every one of you…for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38) “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him
return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him…for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:7)
FIFTH – Once you have humbly confessed to God your realization of
being a sinner, with a willingness to forsake all sin, then you qualify to ask His forgiveness. “The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven …saying, ‘God be merciful to
me a sinner.'” (Luke 18:13)
SIXTH – Consecrate your entire life to Christ. Water baptism, mentioned in step four, is one way to dedicate your life to God. “Not everyone that says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father, Who is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21) “…present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)
SEVENTH – Believe or have faith that once you have done the first six steps, then God will perform the miracle of saving you. “For by grace are ye saved through faith…it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Get alone with God right now, where no one can distract you, and express these seven steps to Him in prayer. I encourage people to talk to God in their own words. But if you are not sure how to pray about these things, I suggest the following prayer:
“O, God, I come to You in Jesus’ Name. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I realize I cannot make myself holy to come to You. Rather, I come to You that You will make me holy. I’m sorry for my sins and I have chosen to forsake them and live my life for You. I ask that you forgive me and cleanse me of every sin by the blood Jesus shed for me
on the cross. I believe Jesus is Your Son and I accept Him right now as my personal Lord and Savior. Lord, come into my life and make your salvation real to me. I trust You, and I thank You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Once you have taken these seven steps, what will all this mean to you?
FIRST – It means you have been born again. (John 3:3-7) You were born once physically – born in sin – separated from God. The second birth is spiritual – free from sin – as a child of God. “As many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
SECOND – It means all your sins are forgiven and your whole life is
renewed. “I am He that blots out your transgressions.” (Isa. 43:25) “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)
THIRD – It means you will receive peace. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27) “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1)
FOURTH – It means you have begun a life of fellowship with God.”…truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) God is a Friend, Who sticks closer than a brother. (Pro. 18:24)
FIFTH – It means you can experience physical healing if you need it. God will not only forgive all your iniquities but also heal all your diseases. (Psalms. 103:3) “I am the Lord that heals you.” (Exodus. 15:26)
SIXTH – However, don’t be surprised if your decision to serve the Lord creates a negative response from others. (2 Tim. 3:12) Another likely problem is temptation. (1 Cor. 10:13) Becoming a child of God is not the beginning of a life with no more problems. Great faith is developed as the result of overcoming great obstacles. Your faith will be tested. (1 Pet. 1:7 & 4:12) You can find strength to overcome such difficulties by remembering what Jesus said – “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
SEVENTH – It means that you have not only become a child of God, but also a soldier in His spiritual army. (Eph. 6:10-17; 1 Tim. 1:18) This is because you also have a spiritual enemy (1 Pet. 5:8) As you learn to use your spiritual weapons, you will overcome this enemy. (2 Cor. 10:4; Rev. 12:11)
If you have not already prayed about your need for salvation, I encourage you to do so now. I know what I’m telling you is true because I took these seven steps 38 years ago and experienced their reality. That just began my relationship with God. There have been many difficulties during that time, but God has seen me through them all. This can be yours too if you respond promptly to the Lord. This can be YOURS – NOW. Please don’t delay. Make today your day for salvation!