Why do we need salvation?
Good question! Here is the answer.
We have all sinned. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
God deeply loves us anyway. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He provided a way for our sin to be removed via His son.John 3:16 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.
Even though it was extremely painful for His Father and Holy Spirit to be separated from Jesus while he was tortured and murdered, their love for us was greater. On the cross, as Jesus was dying, He took on our sin causing God not to be able to look at him. Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.
Why would Jesus dying for our sins remove our sins from us? Think of it as a child who stole candy from a store and eats it. The storekeeper finds out. Someone has to pay for the candy. The child is unable to pay. Someone else has to. Sin requires someone who has never sinned to cover the sin. Jesus covers our sin with his innocent blood and He rose from the dead three days later to conquer death. II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
There is more to it. If our sins are covered (forgiven), we become a child of God. We get the opportunity to walk with Him and talk with Him. He hears us and loves us, and He talks to us. He gave us His Word (the Bible) so we can learn more about Him and our reason for living. We learn we do not walk alone and get to enjoy a relationship with a loving savior who helps us through this life. Most importantly, we learn our real home is in heaven. We are just sojourners passing through. I Peter 1:17-19 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
We also learn there is an eternal lake of fire that we go to if we are not children of God. It is a terrible forever place where we are tortured by demons who hate us and we are separated from God forever. We do not get a second chance. After we have lived 10,000 years in this terrible place, our time in eternity has barely begun. We want to die to escape, but we can never die. It never ends. Revelations 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
So how can we get this wonderful relationship with the Savior? How can our sins be forgiven? God has made salvation so simple, a child can understand. Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
You need to admit you are a sinner. Sin is any behavior any action, thought, or omission that violates moral or divine law, specifically disobeying or rebelling against the will of God. Examples of sin are lying, stealing, hating, jealousy, murder, etc. God gave us a conscience we are born with to know when we have sinned. If we continue doing the same sin over and over, our conscience becomes dull. We do not hear it anymore. Nevertheless, it is still sin. We need to be saved from it as it separates us from our loving God. Jesus is the only way to the Father. As mentioned, His blood is the only thing that can cover our sin. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Bible tells us how to become saved from our sins. Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So here are the steps to becoming a child of God. Say the below prayer (or something similar) and mean it with all your heart.
1. "Dear Jesus, I realize I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins and rose again."
2. "I believe you are Lord. Please forgive me of my sins."
Congratulations! You are now a child of God! Your walk with the Lord has just begun! There are several things to know at this point. Jesus tells us to repent and then turn from our wicked ways. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. You are now a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. The old things that are not pleasing to God need to be gone from your life. Sometimes that means getting new friends, not going to places you used to, not reading or watching things you used to, etc. You need to make a concerted effort to change your life so it is pleasing to God. You will have a rewarding and happy life with no regrets if you follow God's will. It is important you regularly attend a full gospel church that preaches an uncompromising Word. You should have your own Bible (please let us know if you need one) and read it every day. As you grow in the Lord, and especially if you get filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible will become alive to you and it will feed your soul. You should also get baptized in water when your church provides the opportunity. They will explain what it means.
It is important to know that you can lose your salvation if you continue in sin. You need to continue to ask forgiveness when you sin. Jesus is faithful to forgive you. As you grow in the Lord, you will sin less and less. Do not feel condemnation if you accidentally make a mistake. That is not sin. We learn from our mistakes and move on. Fellowship with other Christians is important and helpful. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.
