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The ABCs of Salvation

 

Admit

Admit to God that you are a sinner. Everyone needs salvation. Each of us was born with an terminal illness the Bible calls sin. Sin is a refusal to acknowledge God’s authority over our lives. Everyone who does not live a life of perfect obedience to the Lord is guilty of sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Since none of us is perfect, all of us are sinners (Romans 3:10-18).

The result of sin is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death means eternal separation from God. By God’s perfect standard we are guilty of sin and therefore subject to the punishment for sin, which is separation from God. Admitting that you are a sinner and separated from God is the first step of repentance, which is turning from sin and self and turning toward God.

 

Believe

Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and receive Jesus’ gift of forgiveness from sin. God loves each of us and offers us salvation. Although we have done nothing to deserve His love and the gift of salvation, God wants to save us. In the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, God provided salvation for all who would repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

 

Confess

Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person. Tell your pastor or a Christian friend about your decision. Following Christ’s example, ask for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Rom. 10:9-10).

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