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Friday, August 12, 2016

God Saves

God went to great lengths to bring us back to Him when we have strayed.  He sent His only Son to invite us back and to pave the way.  I’m going to school right now and I am constantly reminded of the things Christians agree upon and the things that we disagree about.  On this all of us agree: God Saves.  God has saved different people in different ways throughout history, but God saves us through the work of His Son, Jesus.

Once we understand this, the next natural question is this: “What must I do to be saved?”  This is a place where Christians struggle to communicate what God has said.  It really isn’t that difficult, though.  We can boil down our response to two passages of Scripture.

If you declare 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 profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39 NIV)

You believe that God provides a way back through Jesus?  Great!  Say it.  Say that Jesus is the Christ and your savior.

You want to leave your old way of life?  Great!  Turn around (repent).  Let Jesus lead you as Lord of your life.

You want to know that your sins are washed away?  Great!  Go down into the water and be baptized (dunked, dipped) in the name of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. 

Congratulations, you have come home to the Father through the Son and received the Holy Spirit.  You are ready to walk together with God.

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