In the world, a little over 80% of the population believe in a higher power, a supreme being. About 63% of people believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. A fewer number of people believe the Bible is factually true. Where do you stand?
Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” This scripture states that the existence of God is evident in creation and those things around us and we cannot say that God does not exist.
So, if God exists, which is obviously true, then HIS Word is infallible. HIS Word is factually true. No one has been able to discredit it. Prophecies from a very long time ago have come to pass just as God predicted through the power of Holy Spirit. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jesus), and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
The message of the Bible is one of love and redemption. God’s love and redemption toward mankind. Mankind was created in God’s image. We were created to have a relationship with Him. We see this in Genesis in the Bible. When man chose to believe the serpent rather than God this caused a separation between God and mankind. Everyone thereafter was born into sin. Psalm 51:5 says, “Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. “
God immediately made a plan by which mankind could be reconciled to Him. In Genesis 3, we see God promising the serpent (satan) that a man would come forth from the woman and bruise his head or basically defeat him and the sinful nature. After the fall, we see that offerings and sacrifices being made to God for the sin of people. People were incapable of being good on their own so sacrifices were continually made.
All throughout the Old Testament in the Bible the coming of JESUS was foretold. A coming Savior that would take away our sin and restore our relationship to God. Approximately 2000 years passed before the coming of Jesus Christ to earth. We see the record of his conception and birth in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible. He came to be our sacrifice for sin, once and for all. He came, He lived and performed healings and miracles and preached the truth of God’s Word. People could not accept His message of repentance and could not accept who He said He was. He then was beaten beyond recognition and hung on a cross. It was apparent what His purpose was by what He spoke and how He prayed to God the Father. The weight of the sin of the world was upon His as he hung on that Cross. But, it didn’t end there. Jesus rose from the dead after three days and later ascended to heaven right in front of his disciples eyes to forever be at the right hand of God. Death had no hold on Him.
The repentance message He preached was simple and is still the same today. Acknowledge we have a sin problem. Acknowledge who Jesus is, the one and only Son of God that came to be our sacrifice for sin, our reconciler to God. He is the only way to heaven. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “ Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 10:9 says, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Acts 3:19 says, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
So this salvation is a gift from God. It is not something that we can earn. Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. So the plan is simple:
Acknowledge you are a sinner
Acknowledge that Jesus is God’s only son was sent to die for your sins
Repent (which means to confess and turn away from) of your sins
Accept the forgiveness of your sins
John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. The blood that He shed for us cleanses us and makes us clean. We become a new person, a new creature according to II Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” HE makes all things new! He gives your rest for your soul!
The prayer is simple,
Father God, thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for my sin. I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life for me. Lord, I realize that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I ask you to forgive me of all my sin and to cleanse me with the blood of Jesus by the power of Your Spirit. Come into my life. Make me a new creature in You. The power of sin is broken in my life in the name of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit come, fill me, lead me, guide me and direct me into all truth. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and thank You for loving me. AMEN!
It is that simple.
To move forward in Him you will benefit greatly from reading His Word and spend time just talking to Him in prayer. Holy Spirit will lead you in the paths you need to go if you seek Him with your whole heart. Get connected with a good church that allows the presence of God to move and work freely. Reach out to someone you know that lives a Godly life.