God’s Plan of Salvation
There are seven facts revealed in God’s plan of salvation, and as you study them, keep in mind that this is God’s plan – not man’s – it is God’s. There is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of God (Acts 4:12).
All roads may lead to Rome, but all religion do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that is God’s way; and God’s way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
God’s salvation is three fold:
First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross (Hebrew 9:26).
Second, He appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after His resurrection, to save you from the power of sin (Hebrew 9:24; 1John 2:1-2).
Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as “Lord of lords, and King of kings” (Rev 17:14) to save you from the very presence of sin (Hebrew 9:28).
Now come to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to your soul.
(JOHN 3:16)
(ROMANS 3:23)
ROMANS 6:23)
(ROMANS 5:6-8)
(ACTS 16:30,31)
(1JOHN 5:10-13)
(ACTS 5:29)
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.
It is an eternal fact that God loves you with an everlasting love that cannot be fathomed; It is so boundless that it can only be known by faith.
The little word “so” in the above verse is most expressive. It gives you some concept of the magnitude of God’s love. God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son, to be made sin for you, that you might be made the righteousness of God in Him (a divine exchange “God gave His Son took you as His sons”), (2Cor. 5:21).
Jesus Christ was made that which God hates: sin – that you might be made that which God loves: righteousness. Because God so loves you, you can exchange your sins for His righteousness. Could you ask for greater evidence of love? Calvary is proof that God loves, and longs to save you.
BEFORE GOING TO THE NEXT FACT, ADMIT TO YOURSELF THAT: “GOD LOVES ME.”
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Sin is the transgression of the law (1John 3:4)
Sin is unbelief; it calls God a liar (1John 510)
Sin is active rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2)
Sin is passive rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2)
All unrighteousness is sin (1John 5:17)
God, who cannot lie, said: “All have sinned,” “All” includes you. You have sinned against God by thought, word and deed. You have committed sins of commission and sins of omission, in the sight of God. You are a lost sinner.
Before turning to the next fact, admit to yourself; I am a lost sinner, because I have sinned.”
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Refer Ephesians 2:1-2 also)
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a sinner. Now God would have you know that “the wages of sin is death.” You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as personal Savior. The Apostle Paul said, “You hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). To be saved is to be made spiritually alive in Christ. What is Death?
-
Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you from God, you are dead in your sins.
-
Death is physical separation. It separates the spirit and soul from the body.
-
Death is eternal separation. If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God at the great white throne judgement. And there your sins will separate you from the mercy of God forever ; this is hell (Rev 20:11-15).
You know that God loves you, and that you are a sinner – dead in sins. Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself: “I am dead in sins.”
For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST DIED for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US.
He died for those who are unlike God; this includes you. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (v8)
For He (God the Father) hath made Him (God the Son) to be made sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2Cor.5:21).
“For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold ……… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:18-19).
“For Christ also has once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened in the spirit” (1Peter 3:18).
“CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES” (that our preaching need to be according to the scripture) (1COR. 15:3).
In the light of these wonderful scriptures, will you now thank God for His great love in sending His Son to bear your sins in His own body on the cross and admit to yourself that: “CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY FOR ME.”
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The Philipian jailer asked Paul and Silas: “What must I do to be saved?” The answer was quick in response, and positive in content: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house.” Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his house; they believed and were saved.
What is this gospel that saves when believed?
First, It is: “that Christ died for our sins.”
Second: “that He was buried.”
Third: “that He rose again the third day” (1Cor. 15:3-4)
Jesus Christ the God-Man died for you, was buried for you, and rose from the dead for you and is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for you (1John 2:1).
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation only when you believe. Your faith in Jesus Christ releases the power of God that saves your sol.
The man born blind received physical sight by a miracle; but spiritual sight came, when Jesus asked, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” He answered, “Lord I believe” (John 9:35-38). Salvation came to Thomas when he believed and confessed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:24-29).
When you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Roman 10:9-10).
Accept Him now by faith, and pray this prayer:
“LORD Jesus, I know you love me, be cause you died on the cross bearing my sins. Thank you, Lord, for revealing to me my lost, sinful condition.
I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot save myself.
I do now by faith, gladly accept you as my personal Savior, and thank you, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen.”
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
“…….That ye may know that ye have eternal life ….. (above verse 13). Upon the authority of God’s word, you can be saved and know it. YOUR FAITH IN GOD’S INFALLIBLE WORD IS YOUR ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. “He that believeth on the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life” (John 3:36).
The Bible is a book of certainties. It strengthens convictions, and establishes beliefs. God would have you know:
-
That you are now a child of God (1John 3:2)
-
That you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2Cor.5:21; and Romans 10:1, 4).
-
That you are now a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
-
That you are now a son and heir of God (Gal. 4:7).
Could you have greater assurance than is found in God’s infallible Word? “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt 24:35).
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
“We ought to obey God rather than men.” You now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your Lord and Master, and “no man can serve two master” (Matt 6:24). Determine now to obey your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in all things:
-
Unite with a New Testament church. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).
-
Follow Him in the ordinance of Baptism (Acts 2:41). Baptism does not save (it is a funeral service of your old self “I” or old sinful nature inherited from your parent at physical birth or old man, which died by faith on the cross together with Christ); it is a witness of your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4).
-
Join a Sunday school class (Scripture Class), and study the word with God’s Children (2Tim 2:15).
-
Attend the worship services of your church (Heb. 10:25). You need the preaching of God’s Word and Christian fellowship.
-
Be a faithful steward (1Cor. 4:2). All that you are and have belong to God. “You are not your own. FOR YOU ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE………” (1Cor. 6:19-20). As a faithful steward, you will pay God His tithe (Mal. 3:10). The tithe is one-tenth of your income, and it is the Lord’s (Lev. 27:30).
-
Make time in you daily life to pray and read God’s word, that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment