Featured photo courtesy of Brent Finley.
The memory verses for this week – Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9
Have you ever been caught off guard by someone asking about the plan of salvation?
I have.
Many years ago, I was a counselor at a summer camp for young people. One of my duties was to be available for any young camper who had questions about faith.
I was in my early twenties. I had been a Christian since I was eight years old.
I had been a Sunday School teacher. My dad was a pastor, and most of my family were professing Christians.
You would think that I would have had no problem counseling someone about faith in God.
But that way of thinking is all wrong. Saving faith has nothing to do with our good deeds or family background.
I knew that from an early age. But I failed to really know God’s Word.
I had read the Bible. A lot. I just never did more than read the words. Because of that, I had a rude awakening that shook me.
Looking back, I am so thankful for the lesson that I learned.
Actually, it was another counselor that approached me about how to lead someone to Christ. What she was really asking me was how she could have assurance of her faith.
I told her that we can know we are saved by how we feel in our hearts. But that is so wrong. Our salvation isn’t based on feelings or emotion.
An old pastor showed me my error. He helped me to first be certain of my own salvation. That was exactly the right thing to do.
Once I began to learn more about the basics of the Christian faith, then I knew that I was truly born-again.
I was simply unprepared to help others. I did not know scripture as I should have.
Then he taught me how to share the Good News.
Thankfully, despite my failure, I believe the young woman that I spoke with did give her heart to Jesus.
It is the Holy Spirit Who works in our souls to lead anyone to salvation. He overcomes all of our inadequacies.
As a born-again, believer, if someone approached you about faith in Jesus, could you share God’s Word?
Every believer should know passages like the memory verses below. Believers should be able to share with others and answer their questions with clarity.
The path to salvation starts with the Holy Spirit, Who leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4).
We must first recognize that we are sinners by nature. All human beings are. And sin is what separates us from God. (Isaiah 59:2)
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
The next step is to tell others that there is a penalty for sin. Unless they receive the free gift of eternal life, they will face the consequences of their sin.
The consequence of rejecting Christ is eternity spent separated from God, suffering needlessly in Hell.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Jesus became the substitute for sinners. He did that by taking our sin upon Himself on the cross. Now when God looks upon believers, He sees the work of His Son. He sees us as covered and clean before Him.
The next step is to confess Jesus as your Savior, by faith.
“… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.“
Romans 10:9
That is all that it takes to be born again.
So, let’s summarize the steps to saving faith in Christ Jesus:
- Accept the invitation of the Holy Spirit and admit that you need the Savior.
- Be willing to turn away from your old life and repent of your sin. Ask God for His forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus died for your sin, was buried and rose again.
- Invite Christ to come into your heart and be willing to give Him your life.
Why not find a moment to be sure that Jesus lives in your heart?
If He does, then be prepared to share the Gift of Salvation.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.gi
Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 