What must I do to be saved? How can I gain peace of mind today and heaven “tomorrow”? We must come to God for the answer to these questions. Here is what the Bible says about God and how to find salvation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
God is supreme. He is the creator of the universe. He is also an affectionate father who loves his children and wants their obedience and devotion. He disciplines them when they disobey, but is ready to forgive when they repent.
GOD IS:
CREATOR—In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Revelation 4:11, Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16-17
LOVING—I have loved thee with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Exodus 34:6, 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8
HOLY—Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy (Psalms 99:9). 1 Samuel 2:2, Exodus 15:11
RIGHTEOUS—For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness (Psalm 11:7). Revelation 15:3, Psalm 145:17, Acts 17:31
CHARACTERISTICS OF MAN
God created man in his own image, giving him a free will—free to obey or disobey his laws. Human nature is inclined to disobey, and this is sin. God holds us responsible for making the right decisions.
MAN IS:
CREATED IN GOD’S LIKENESS—So God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27).
SINFUL BY NATURE—All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). 1 John 1:8, Romans 5:12, James 1:14-15, Galatians 5:19-21
SUBJECT TO DECEPTION—There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). Jeremiah 17:9
SEPARATED FROM GOD—But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).
GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NOT OVERLOOK SIN
Since God is perfectly good and man by contrast is sinful, a barrier has come between us and God. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16). Romans 14:12
SIN MUST BE PUNISHED BY DEATH—The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). Romans 6:23, James 1:15, Matthew 25:31-33
THE PUNISHMENT PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO SIN—Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Matthew 3:7, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 13:40-42, Mark 16:16, Mark 3:29, Luke 3:17, Luke 12:5, Luke 16:23
HOW CAN WE BE FORGIVEN
The judgments of God are sure, requiring the punishment of all who sin. God sent his beloved son, Jesus, who was without sin, to die in our place. God’s judgment was satisfied only through the shedding of Jesus’s blood. By rising again, Jesus triumphed over sin and death. If we repent of our sins and truly believe on Jesus as our Savior, we can have a new life now, and eternal life in heaven.
GOD LOVES US AND WANTS TO SAVE US—In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9-10). Matthew 11:28, Revelation 3:20, John 3:16
WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN—Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:7-8).
GOOD WORKS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH—Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:5). Matthew 5:20, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:9
SALVATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH JESUS—Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 1:12, Matthew 1:21, Romans 1:16, Acts 4:10-12
WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH—For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Romans 3:22-24, Luke 7:50
THE WAY OF SALVATION
When a sinner turns away from sin and completely surrenders to God, there is a transformation of the heart and life. His desire for the ways of God now means more to him than the desire for his own pleasure and satisfaction. There is a new birth—a new life!
Following are Scripture references to help one understand the new birth experience:
CONVICTION—Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37). Psalm 51:3, Psalm 73:21, Daniel 9:5
SORROW—For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:5, Matthew 5:3-4, Matthew 26:75
CONFESSION—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). James 5:16, Psalm 51:3
BELIEF—But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Acts 9:6, Acts 11:18
RESTITUTION—Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found (Leviticus 6:4). Exodus 22:1, Luke 19:1-10
OBEDIENCE—And he [Saul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do (Acts 9:6).
TRANSFORMATION—Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Galatians 5:19-23
THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). 1 John 4:13, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:9
The joy and gratitude of the saved soul inspires him to obey the Word and the Holy Spirit. Obedience to the Lord brings blessing and satisfaction that far exceeds all that the world may offer. Faithfulness to his commandments is well rewarded. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).