How Do I Obtain Salvation?

Salvation is a free gift from God and is available through Faith in Jesus Christ’s Death and Resurrection being payment in full for your sins.  Salvation is a free gift available for the asking; however, there is some preparation work required on your part.

First, you must understand that you have “transgressed” against God’s Law:

“You must understand that you haven’t lived up to God’s Law with your sinful nature and you have sinned in the past by things you have done and left undone.”

You must be truly ready to “repent” your past sins and sinful nature and are ready to ask for God’s forgiveness:

“You must know not only in your mind, but also have a feeling deep down in your heart, that you regret and are truly sorry for your past sins and sinful nature and are ready to ask God for forgiveness.”

You must understand that “you alone” can’t obtain God’s forgiveness for your sins:

“You must understand that there is no way that you alone can reconcile your sins with God.  You must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood as a perfect sacrifice for your sins.  You must believe your only way to Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ alone.  You must believe that Jesus Christ, through His death and His resurrection, is the only one who can reconcile your sins with God the Father.  "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)”

Do you think you are ready?  If so, you can use the following prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, I know I have done wrong in the past; I know I have fallen short in Your eyes by what I have done and left undone; and I know I am a sinner. I know Jesus gave His blood and His life for my sins.  I believe Jesus is the only one who can reconcile my sins with You.  I truly want to repent my sins Father and I ask for forgiveness in Jesus' name. I want Jesus to come into my life now and clean me as white as snow.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

After saying the prayer, you should get a “Baptism by water” as a public demonstration that you have joined God’s Christian community; you can go to the Church of your choice and request it.  It is definitely good idea to go through a "Baptism by water” and it is definitely an important step, in the right direction, in your Christian life; however, it is not a requirement for your Salvation.  [Note:  Some Churches teach and some Christians believe that "Baptism by water” is a requirement for Salvation.   Most Churches require a "Baptism by water” to become an accepted member of their Congregation; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t go to those Churches without it.]

You definitely should get a copy of the Holy Bible and read at least the New Testament.  I would like to recommend “The New American Standard Bible” version of the Holy Bible, because it is easy to read and understand.  Reading the New Testament will enlighten you with the words of Jesus and the His Disciples, which will explain the Christian Faith to you.

You should also join a Church, so you can have fellowship with fellow Christians and benefit from the Christian guidance and support you will receive.  You may want to “try out” different Churches to find where you “fit in” best.

The changes in you by the Holy Spirit may be slow or fast in coming, but I assure they will come.  You will see changes in the way you think, in your behavior, and you will ahor (extremely hate) sinning by yourself or others.

John 14:15-31 (Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit)

 ¹⁵"If you love me, you will obey what I command. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

 ²²Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

 ²³Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

 ²⁵"All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 ²⁸"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, ³¹but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”

Salvation is free gift from God, but it comes with a price.  You’re heart and actions are known to God:

“Salvation is free gift from God, but it is how you act and treat people that shows you have Salvation to others (Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."  Matthew 7:20).  Your good deeds will not get you into Heaven or gain your Salvation; God knows what is in your heart. Act the way God expects, so that others can see God’s miracle working within you.  When you commit a sin against God’s Law again, and you will, ask for His forgiveness in Jesus’ name.  The forgiveness is free, but it doesn’t give you the right to freely and with knowledge break God’s Law.  I could give many quotes from the Holy Bible, which seem to imply that Salvation may not be permanent, if you go back to your sinful nature; however, one stands out: “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20).”   [Note:  Some Churches teach and some Christians believe that Salvation is permanent, and Some Churches teach and some Christians believe that Salvation can be lost, if a Christian goes back to his or her sinful nature]

James 2:14-24 (Faith without Deeds is Dead Faith)

“¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 ¹⁸But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

 ¹⁹You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

 ²⁰You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. ²⁴You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”

[One Final Note:  A large number of Charismatic Churches (including most Pentecostal Churches) teach and some Christians believe that a person must receive a “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” (i.e. “speaking in tongues”) as proof they are a “born again” Christian; however, most Churches don’t teach that, nor do most Christians, like myself, believe that.  If you are interested, you could ask one of those Charismatic or Pentecostal Church’s Clergy or their Christians about “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”; and/or, you could search the web, because there is much information available about the “Charismatic Movement”, “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”, “speaking in tongues”, and being “born again”.  It is your right and responsibility to choose the Church you attend and/or join and how you live your Christian life; God gave us all “free will” and you don’t lose “free will” by having Jesus Christ as your Savior.]

I hope Jesus Christ becomes or is your Savior and we meet in Heaven…. Jim Long

For the Benefit of Salvation Click Here

If you are offended by something I wrote, I am sorry.  Jim Long

You can email Jim Long at:  jim@freedom-of-religion.org

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