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Salvation, Restoration & Forgiveness
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Salvation, Restoration and Forgiveness
Welcome to a more thorough discussion of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
This is a detailed, step by step explanation of the Gospel. The format in use is from Evangelism Explosion International, an organization founded by Dr. James Kennedy, and based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Scriptural references will be from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated."
#1. The first amazing discovery is that Heaven is a "free gift!"
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
#2. As a "free gift", entrance into Heaven cannot be either earned or deserved.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Suppose you were to buy an expensive gift for a special friend, such as your spouse. When you presented it to him/her, suppose that their reaction was
"You should not have done this. Here, let me help you pay for it."
Would such a reaction insult you? If you accept the help, then it is no longer a gift, is it?
If there were any way that we could work for, or otherwise earn our salvation, then it would cease to be a gift.
But this can be seen more clearly when we understand what the Bible says about man.
#3. The Bible says that man is a sinner.
"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ."(Romans 3:22b-24)
What is sin? Some would say it is disobedience to God. Some would say that it is "falling short of the mark." Most of us would agree that it involves doing what we know to be wrong, and not doing what we know to be right.
Suppose you were able to live so carefully as to only sin three times a day. That would be remarkable, wouldn't it? In fact, some folks might call you a "saint" if it were possible to live in that way.
However, if you were to live to be seventy years of age, at three sins a day, or over 1,000 sins a year, that would be over 70,000 sins in your lifetime!
Do you know what the Bible has to say about this? In Matthew 5:48, Jesus says: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 70,000 seems a long way from "perfect."
#4. The Bible says that man cannot save himself.
Again, suppose you were to be preparing a special breakfast for some friends. One of your specialties is making omelets. As you are cracking the eggs over the bowl for your special omelets, you mind is on the other things you must do as you prepare the breakfast.
Before you realize it, one of the eggs that you crack and droop into the bowl is bad! But, it is in the bowl with the other eggs before you know it. What should you do? You think to yourself: "If I just put enough other eggs in the bowl, and other items, no one will notice."
Did you laugh a that idea? You should. And yet, isn't that like the argument some people give regarding their lives?
"I just figure that my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds..."
"I am not as bad as some people I know..."
The writer of the Proverbs says: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Can you begin to see now why it is impossible for man to save himself? This comes into sharper focus when we see what the Bible says about God...
#5. The Bible says that God is merciful, and therefore doesn't want to punish us.
The Bible says that "God is love..." (I John 4:8b)
One of the most familiar of all Bible versus is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Yes, the Bible emphasizes God's love and mercy. But it also talks about His justice.
#6. The Bible says that God is just, and therefore must punish sin.
"Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished..." (Exodus 34:7b)
"He who believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:18)
Suppose I were to try, on the spur of the moment to rob a bank. Since I am new at this (I really would be), and I don't know how to do it right, I don't anymore than get the money and start out the door than I am caught. Before I know it I am in handcuffs and standing before the judge. The Yes, Judge, I am guilty judge asks me: "How do you plead?" My response: "Yes, Judge, I am guilty. But look, I didn't get away with anything. See, the bank has its money back. This was my first and last (I should hope) attempt. See, I have learned my lesson. If you just let me go, I promise I will never, never, never, try this again!"
What would you think, if the judge, just simply, let me go?
More importantly, what would the banks in that town think?
How long would that judge stay on the bench?
You see, that is the dilemma we face concerning our sin. Yes, God is righteous, and merciful, but He is also just. And justice demands punishment.
#7. Well, God solved our problem in the Person of Jesus Christ!
Who is Jesus Christ to you?
A good teacher, a fine example?
He is all of each of these and many more things. However, the Bible refers to Him as the Infinite God-Man.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." (John 1:1,2)
"The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Someone has suggested that Jesus was so much God, he was hardly human. And, that he was so much human, that he was hardly God. He was fully God, and fully human. (This is one of those truths which is difficult for our finite minds to comprehend. It is a biblical concept, which can only be understood through faith.)
What He did.
He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to secure a place in heaven for us which he offers as a free gift.
What is Grace?
Here is an acrostic on the letters of the word, which make it easier to understand:
G - God's
R - Riches
A - at
C - Christ's
E - Expense.
Pick up a book and let it represent a record of your life. All the good things, and all of the bad. As you look at that book and think about its contents, listen to the these words from Isaiah 53:6:
"All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
It is as if God took that little book that is in your hand, and placed it and its contents on Jesus' back as hung on that cross on Calvary.
By now you may be saying, "Yes, I have known much of this, and I have heard the story of Jesus all my life. The question in your mind may be, how can I make it mine? How can I know for sure?
The answer, my friend, is that this free gift must be received by faith. Remember, how I said that it is a free gift, that it cannot be earned or deserved? It must be received, by faith...
#8. The Gift of Eternal Life must be received by Faith.
What Faith is not.
Many people talk about faith today. We use the term all the time. Lets eliminatewhat saving faith is not, so we can understand what it is.
First, faith is not mere intellectual assent. The Bible says that the Devil believes. But does that save him? Apparently not.
"You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder." (James 2:19)
In Matthew 8, when Jesus was about to cast the legion of demons out of the Gadarene man, the demons ask: "What do you want with us, Son of God?" (Matthew 8:29)
I believe that many historical figures actually lived before me. We celebrate birthdays for former presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We appreciate the works of men like Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Longfellow, and many, many more. But belief in their existence does not alter our lives in any significant way. Yes, we appreciate the art of Michelangelo, Rembrant, etc. But this does not change the course of our lives in the way that we believe that faith in Jesus Christ should.
Saving faith is not mere intellectual assent.
It is not temporal faith.
Temporal faith is faith for a particular situation or circumstance.
Suppose your children are going on a trip and you pray for their protection on the journey. And, you have faith as you pray. That is fine, but what happens to that faith when the trip is over?
#9. Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in jail, and they were singing. An earthquake occurred, and the doors of the jail were opened. Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, the jailer was ready to take his own life. After Paul shouted, and he realized that everyone was still there, he was touched. No doubt he had noticed something different about Paul and Silas before this incident.
At any rate, he asked Paul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
Look around the room and locate a chair. Do you believe that chair exists? More importantly, so you believe that chair would hold your weight, if you were to try to sit on it?
What is the "one thing" you must do to convince yourself, and others, that the chair you are looking at could hold you?
Yes! You must sit in it, and put your full weight on the chair!
So it is with trusting in Jesus Christ. Believing in Him is a matter of "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you..." (I Peter 5:7)
Ultimately, it is a matter of whom do you trust? Are you willing to give up your trust in your own cleverness, or resources, or abilities? Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone.
Conclusion
Does what you have read make sense?
Are you ready to make such a commitment to Jesus Christ?
Let try to clarify what such a commitment means. We believe it involves five things:
First - You must transfer you trust from yourself and other things to Jesus Christ.
Second - You must receive the resurrected and living Christ.
Third - You must receive Christ as Savior
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
Fourth - You must receive Christ as Lord of your life.
That means that you agree that He is in charge.
Fifth - You must repent. Repentance means to "change you mind." It means that you will turn your life one hundred and eighty degrees and begin walking God's way, not yours.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:17)
If you are ready to take this step, then we suggest that you pray a simple prayer which contains these things:
First - Acknowledge that you are a sinner, and that cannot save yourself.
Second - Express genuine sorrow for your sins.
Third - Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God.
Fourth - Acknowledge that Jesus Christ alone died for your sins.
Fifth - Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and to forgive your sins.
Sixth - Ask Jesus Christ to become the Lord of your life.
Seventh - Thank Jesus Christ for doing what you have just asked Him to do.
Eighth - Promise to live for Him, with His help and guidance.
If you have done this let me be the first to "Welcome you into the family of God!"
Now, is there someone that you would like to tell about the decision that you have made? If there is, let me suggest that you sit down and write or call that person right away. One of the things which will help to solidify the decision in your mind is to tell someone right away, while it is still fresh in your mind.
If that person is a Christian in whom you have confidence, ask for their help in understanding what you have just done.
Of course, we would love to hear from you. We would like the opportunity to send you some materials that would be helpful. If possible, we could direct you to a church in your area that would be helpful as you begin to walk with Jesus Christ. We believe that it is very important that you begin to read the Bible on a regular basis, and to pray. May we suggest that you begin with the book of John in the New Testament. If you would like our assistance, feel free to contact us in any of the following ways:
E-mail:
info@efcer.org
Postal Mail:
EFC-ER
5350 Broadmoor Cir. NW
Canton, OH 44709
Phone:
1-800-334-8863 or
330-493-1660
Fax:
330-493-0852.
Thank you for taking the time to work through this. You may also want download and save this text for future reference. Whether you made a decision today or not, we would like to hear from you.
Salvation, Restoration and Forgiveness
Welcome to a more thorough discussion of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
This is a detailed, step by step explanation of the Gospel. The format in use is from Evangelism Explosion International, an organization founded by Dr. James Kennedy, and based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Scriptural references will be from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated."
#1. The first amazing discovery is that Heaven is a "free gift!"
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
#2. As a "free gift", entrance into Heaven cannot be either earned or deserved.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Suppose you were to buy an expensive gift for a special friend, such as your spouse. When you presented it to him/her, suppose that their reaction was
"You should not have done this. Here, let me help you pay for it."
Would such a reaction insult you? If you accept the help, then it is no longer a gift, is it?
If there were any way that we could work for, or otherwise earn our salvation, then it would cease to be a gift.
But this can be seen more clearly when we understand what the Bible says about man.
#3. The Bible says that man is a sinner.
"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ."(Romans 3:22b-24)
What is sin? Some would say it is disobedience to God. Some would say that it is "falling short of the mark." Most of us would agree that it involves doing what we know to be wrong, and not doing what we know to be right.
Suppose you were able to live so carefully as to only sin three times a day. That would be remarkable, wouldn't it? In fact, some folks might call you a "saint" if it were possible to live in that way.
However, if you were to live to be seventy years of age, at three sins a day, or over 1,000 sins a year, that would be over 70,000 sins in your lifetime!
Do you know what the Bible has to say about this? In Matthew 5:48, Jesus says: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 70,000 seems a long way from "perfect."
#4. The Bible says that man cannot save himself.
Again, suppose you were to be preparing a special breakfast for some friends. One of your specialties is making omelets. As you are cracking the eggs over the bowl for your special omelets, you mind is on the other things you must do as you prepare the breakfast.
Before you realize it, one of the eggs that you crack and droop into the bowl is bad! But, it is in the bowl with the other eggs before you know it. What should you do? You think to yourself: "If I just put enough other eggs in the bowl, and other items, no one will notice."
Did you laugh a that idea? You should. And yet, isn't that like the argument some people give regarding their lives?
"I just figure that my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds..."
"I am not as bad as some people I know..."
The writer of the Proverbs says: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Can you begin to see now why it is impossible for man to save himself? This comes into sharper focus when we see what the Bible says about God...
#5. The Bible says that God is merciful, and therefore doesn't want to punish us.
The Bible says that "God is love..." (I John 4:8b)
One of the most familiar of all Bible versus is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Yes, the Bible emphasizes God's love and mercy. But it also talks about His justice.
#6. The Bible says that God is just, and therefore must punish sin.
"Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished..." (Exodus 34:7b)
"He who believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:18)
Suppose I were to try, on the spur of the moment to rob a bank. Since I am new at this (I really would be), and I don't know how to do it right, I don't anymore than get the money and start out the door than I am caught. Before I know it I am in handcuffs and standing before the judge. The Yes, Judge, I am guilty judge asks me: "How do you plead?" My response: "Yes, Judge, I am guilty. But look, I didn't get away with anything. See, the bank has its money back. This was my first and last (I should hope) attempt. See, I have learned my lesson. If you just let me go, I promise I will never, never, never, try this again!"
What would you think, if the judge, just simply, let me go?
More importantly, what would the banks in that town think?
How long would that judge stay on the bench?
You see, that is the dilemma we face concerning our sin. Yes, God is righteous, and merciful, but He is also just. And justice demands punishment.
#7. Well, God solved our problem in the Person of Jesus Christ!
Who is Jesus Christ to you?
A good teacher, a fine example?
He is all of each of these and many more things. However, the Bible refers to Him as the Infinite God-Man.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." (John 1:1,2)
"The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Someone has suggested that Jesus was so much God, he was hardly human. And, that he was so much human, that he was hardly God. He was fully God, and fully human. (This is one of those truths which is difficult for our finite minds to comprehend. It is a biblical concept, which can only be understood through faith.)
What He did.
He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to secure a place in heaven for us which he offers as a free gift.
What is Grace?
Here is an acrostic on the letters of the word, which make it easier to understand:
G - God's
R - Riches
A - at
C - Christ's
E - Expense.
Pick up a book and let it represent a record of your life. All the good things, and all of the bad. As you look at that book and think about its contents, listen to the these words from Isaiah 53:6:
"All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
It is as if God took that little book that is in your hand, and placed it and its contents on Jesus' back as hung on that cross on Calvary.
By now you may be saying, "Yes, I have known much of this, and I have heard the story of Jesus all my life. The question in your mind may be, how can I make it mine? How can I know for sure?
The answer, my friend, is that this free gift must be received by faith. Remember, how I said that it is a free gift, that it cannot be earned or deserved? It must be received, by faith...
#8. The Gift of Eternal Life must be received by Faith.
What Faith is not.
Many people talk about faith today. We use the term all the time. Lets eliminatewhat saving faith is not, so we can understand what it is.
First, faith is not mere intellectual assent. The Bible says that the Devil believes. But does that save him? Apparently not.
"You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder." (James 2:19)
In Matthew 8, when Jesus was about to cast the legion of demons out of the Gadarene man, the demons ask: "What do you want with us, Son of God?" (Matthew 8:29)
I believe that many historical figures actually lived before me. We celebrate birthdays for former presidents, such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We appreciate the works of men like Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Longfellow, and many, many more. But belief in their existence does not alter our lives in any significant way. Yes, we appreciate the art of Michelangelo, Rembrant, etc. But this does not change the course of our lives in the way that we believe that faith in Jesus Christ should.
Saving faith is not mere intellectual assent.
It is not temporal faith.
Temporal faith is faith for a particular situation or circumstance.
Suppose your children are going on a trip and you pray for their protection on the journey. And, you have faith as you pray. That is fine, but what happens to that faith when the trip is over?
#9. Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in jail, and they were singing. An earthquake occurred, and the doors of the jail were opened. Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, the jailer was ready to take his own life. After Paul shouted, and he realized that everyone was still there, he was touched. No doubt he had noticed something different about Paul and Silas before this incident.
At any rate, he asked Paul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
Look around the room and locate a chair. Do you believe that chair exists? More importantly, so you believe that chair would hold your weight, if you were to try to sit on it?
What is the "one thing" you must do to convince yourself, and others, that the chair you are looking at could hold you?
Yes! You must sit in it, and put your full weight on the chair!
So it is with trusting in Jesus Christ. Believing in Him is a matter of "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you..." (I Peter 5:7)
Ultimately, it is a matter of whom do you trust? Are you willing to give up your trust in your own cleverness, or resources, or abilities? Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone.
Conclusion
Does what you have read make sense?
Are you ready to make such a commitment to Jesus Christ?
Let try to clarify what such a commitment means. We believe it involves five things:
First - You must transfer you trust from yourself and other things to Jesus Christ.
Second - You must receive the resurrected and living Christ.
Third - You must receive Christ as Savior
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
Fourth - You must receive Christ as Lord of your life.
That means that you agree that He is in charge.
Fifth - You must repent. Repentance means to "change you mind." It means that you will turn your life one hundred and eighty degrees and begin walking God's way, not yours.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:17)
If you are ready to take this step, then we suggest that you pray a simple prayer which contains these things:
First - Acknowledge that you are a sinner, and that cannot save yourself.
Second - Express genuine sorrow for your sins.
Third - Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God.
Fourth - Acknowledge that Jesus Christ alone died for your sins.
Fifth - Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and to forgive your sins.
Sixth - Ask Jesus Christ to become the Lord of your life.
Seventh - Thank Jesus Christ for doing what you have just asked Him to do.
Eighth - Promise to live for Him, with His help and guidance.
If you have done this let me be the first to "Welcome you into the family of God!"
Now, is there someone that you would like to tell about the decision that you have made? If there is, let me suggest that you sit down and write or call that person right away. One of the things which will help to solidify the decision in your mind is to tell someone right away, while it is still fresh in your mind.
If that person is a Christian in whom you have confidence, ask for their help in understanding what you have just done.
Of course, we would love to hear from you. We would like the opportunity to send you some materials that would be helpful. If possible, we could direct you to a church in your area that would be helpful as you begin to walk with Jesus Christ. We believe that it is very important that you begin to read the Bible on a regular basis, and to pray. May we suggest that you begin with the book of John in the New Testament. If you would like our assistance, feel free to contact us in any of the following ways:
E-mail:
info@efcer.org
Postal Mail:
EFC-ER
5350 Broadmoor Cir. NW
Canton, OH 44709
Phone:
1-800-334-8863 or
330-493-1660
Fax:
330-493-0852.
Thank you for taking the time to work through this. You may also want download and save this text for future reference. Whether you made a decision today or not, we would like to hear from you.
