What does the Bible say about becoming a Christian?
Do you desire to learn how to become a Christian? If so, I encourage you to consider the truths found in this article with extreme urgency. When discussing how to be saved, essentially we are discussing life and death. I can’t emphasize enough, the gravity of this article. I encourage you to read every section thoroughly, but first allow me to ask you a few questions. Do you want a relationship with God? Have you ever thought about where you’re going upon death? What would be your response if you were in front of God and God asked you, “why should I let you into My Kingdom?” Take a moment to ponder this question.
Be honest, would you have an answer? Would your answer be, “I’m a good person, I go to church, I believe in God, you know my heart, I obey the Bible, or I got baptized.” Would you respond to God saying any of these things?
I ask this because your response can reveal your spiritual condition. If you did not have an answer or if you answered in any one of these ways, then this could reveal alarming news. Going to church does not save, nor does being a good person. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ saves. This is what I will attempt to explain in this article. Please consider all of these truths.
Jesus solves the problem of sin
Let’s find out what is sin? Simply put, sin is any deviation from God’s holy standard. It is missing the mark of His perfection in thought, deed, words, etc. God is holy and perfect. Sin separates us from God. Some people might say, “what’s so bad about sin?” However, this statement reveals that we are looking at it from our sinful finite perspective.
Let’s attempt to look at it from God’s point of view. The holy mighty sovereign eternal God of the universe has created creatures from the dirt who have sinned against Him in a multitude of ways. One impure thought for a second is enough to separate us from a holy God. Be still for a moment, and dwell on the holiness of God. We have to understand how holy God is in comparison to us. Below, we will learn the consequence of sin.
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.”
Colossians 3:5-6 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
Zephaniah 1:14–16 “The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. That day will be a day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness— a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.”
Jesus came into the world to save sinners
The consequence of sin
Eternal separation from God in hell is the consequence for sinning against a holy God. Those who end up in hell will undergo God’s unrelenting wrath and hatred for sin for eternity. Heaven is far more glorious than we can imagine and hell is far more horrific than we can envision.
Jesus spoke more on hell than any other person in the Bible. Being God in flesh He knew the severity of hell. He knows the horror that awaits those who end up in hell. In fact, He rules over hell as Revelation 14:10 teaches us. The consequence of sin is death and eternal damnation. However, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save you from this dreadful place and to have a relationship with you.
Luke 16:24-28 “So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.”
Matthew 13:50 “throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 18:8 “So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.”
Matthew 18:9 “And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Revelation 14:10 “they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
2 Thessalonians 1:9 “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
How Jesus saves us by becoming a curse
We are all under the curse of the law.
The law is a curse upon all of humanity because we cannot fulfill what the law requires. Disobedience at any point to the law of God will result in the curse of the law. Those who are cursed from the law will undergo the punishment of being accursed. We learn from Scripture that those who hang on a tree are accursed by God. God desires perfection. In fact, He demands perfection. Jesus said, “Be perfect.”
Let’s took a moment to examine our thoughts, actions, and words. Do you fall short? If we’re honest, when we examine ourselves we notice that we are far from perfect. We have all sinned against a holy God. Someone has to take upon the curse of the law. To remove the curse of the law, you have to be subject to the punishment of the curse. There is only one person that can remove the law and that is the Creator of the law. The one who bore that curse had to himself be perfectly obedient.
Jesus took upon the curse that you and I deserve. He had to be innocent to die for the guilty and He had to be God because the Creator of the law is the only one who could remove the law. Jesus became a curse for us. Take a moment to truly take in the weight of that. Jesus became a curse for you! Those who are not saved are still under a curse. Why would anyone want to be under a curse when Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law?
Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Galatians 3:10 “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Deuteronomy 27:26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
Galatians 3:13-15 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
The scary truth of the Bible
The scary truth of the Bible is that God is good. What makes this truth scary is that we are not. What is a good God to do with bad people? Humanity is evil. Some may say, “I’m not evil.” To other human beings we consider ourselves good, but how about to a holy God? Compared to a righteous and holy God we are evil. The problem is not only that we are evil and have sinned, but the person who we have sinned against. Consider this. If you punch me in the face, the consequences are not that severe. However, how about if you punch the president in the face? Clearly there will be greater consequences.
The greater the person of who the offense is towards, the greater the punishment. Consider this as well. If God is holy, perfect, and just, then He cannot forgive us. It doesn’t matter the amount of good works that we do. Our sin will always be before Him. It has to be removed. Someone has to pay for it. Don’t you see? We are so far from God because of our sin. How does God justify the wicked without being an abomination to Himself? Let’s learn more about this below.
Proverbs 17:15 “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.”
Romans 4:5 “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
Genesis 6:5 “When the Lord saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil.”
God has to punish sin. – Jesus took our place.
Take a moment to ponder this.
I want you to picture someone killing your entire family with clear video evidence of their crimes. After they do the crime, they go to jail and eventually they are in court for the murders. Can a good, honest, fair judge say, “I’m loving so I’m going to let you go free?” If he did, he would be an evil judge and you would be outraged. You would tell the world about how immoral that judge is.
It doesn’t matter if the murderer said, “for the rest of my life I’ll give, I’ll help everyone, and more.” Nothing can erase the crime that was committed. It will forever be in front of the judge. Ask yourself this, If God is a good judge can He forgive you? The answer is no. He is an honest judge and just like any honest judge He has to sentence you. God set up the legal system and while on earth you will be sentenced to prison for a crime. If your name is not found in the Book of Life you will be sentenced to hell for eternity. However, something happened so you don’t have to be sentenced to hell.
Why did Jesus have to die for our sins?
God came down from Heaven to redeem us
The only way God could forgive vile people like us was for Him to come down in the flesh. Jesus lived a sinless perfect life. He lived the life that God desires. He lived the life that you and I can’t live. In the process He taught us to pray, fight temptation, help others, turn the other cheek, etc.
The only way God could forgive vile people like us was for Him to come down in the flesh. Jesus lived a sinless perfect life. He lived the life that God desires. He lived the life that you and I can’t live. In the process He taught us to pray, fight temptation, help others, turn the other cheek, etc.
Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God that you and I deserve. He bore your sins on His back and was crushed by His Father because of you and me. Jesus took upon Himself the curse of the Law that you and I rightfully deserve. In His love He has taken our place to reconcile us to a holy God.
Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight.”
He lavishly poured out His grace upon us. While we were still sinners He died for us so that we could be set free. God came down in the form of man and He thought of you. He thought of (Insert name). The gospel of Jesus Christ is so personal. He thought of you specifically. Yes, it’s true that Jesus loves the world.
However, to be more specific and intimate, He loves (Insert name). His immense love for the Father and His immense love for you drove Him to the cross. Presence makes love more real. God came down from heaven and became poor and endured pain, humiliation, and betrayal because He loved you. On the cross He took away your sin, guilt, and shame. Jesus made it possible for you to know God.
Don’t you see? Sin was standing in the way of you having a relationship with a holy God. Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with Him by putting that sin on His back and dying for your sins. Now there is nothing that is blocking you from knowing Him.
John 3:16 “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.”
1 Timothy 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.”
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus laid down His life
Jesus did not lose His life. Jesus willingly laid down His life. Rarely will you ever find a shepherd that will die for his sheep. However, “the Good Shepherd lays down his life for His sheep.” This Good Shepherd is extraordinary. He is not only extraordinary because He died for His sheep, which is remarkable in and of itself. This Good Shepherd is extraordinary because He intimately knows every sheep.
If Jesus wanted He could have sent angels to either protect Him or kill everyone, but someone had to die. Someone had to satisfy God’s wrath and it was only Jesus who could have done it because He is God and He is the only perfect man to have ever lived. It doesn’t matter if it were 1000 angels, only God could die for the world. Only the precious blood of Christ is sufficient to cover every person’s sin, past, present, and future.
Matthew 26:53 “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
John 10:18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath for us
Jesus drank your sin and not one drop fell from that cup. The cup that Jesus drank from represented the judgment of God. Jesus willingly drank the cup of God’s great wrath and laid down His life as a sacrifice for sins. He willingly bore the divine judgment that should have rightly fallen upon humanity. Charles Spurgeon said, “I am never afraid of exaggeration, when I speak of what my Lord endured. All hell was distilled into that cup, of which our God and Savior Jesus Christ was made to drink.”
Matthew 20:22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.”
Luke 22:42-44 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
What is the purpose of being a christian?
Through Jesus we can know and enjoy God.
Salvation should lead to rejoicing. “All my sins are gone! Jesus died for me! He saved me! I can begin to know Him!” Before the foundation of the world God wanted to have a relationship with us. However, due to the fall sin entered into the world. Jesus eradicated that sin and restored our relationship with God.
Through Christ we can now know and enjoy God. Believers have been given the glorious privilege of being able to spend time with the Lord and cherish His Person. The greatest gift of salvation is not escaping hell. The greatest gift of salvation is Jesus Himself!
Let’s grow in treasuring Jesus and getting to know Him. Let’s grow in our intimacy with the Lord. Praise God that there is no barrier that is prohibiting us from growing in Him. Something I pray often is, “Lord I want to know You.” Let’s satisfy our souls in Christ. As John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Habakkuk 3:18 “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
How to be saved?
How to be forgiven by God?
Christians are saved by faith alone. Ask Christ to forgive your sins, trust Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and believe He has taken away your sins!
“Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God’s grace.” Charles Spurgeon
Christians are not saved by what we do or have done, but we are saved by what Christ has done for us on the cross. God commands all men to repent and believe the gospel.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Mark 1:15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Mark 6:12 “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.”
I encourage you to be still for a moment. Quiet your heart and come to Jesus Christ genuinely. Take a moment right now to confess and ask for forgiveness. Repent and put your trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ on your behalf. He has made you right before the Lord. Below we will talk more about what repentance means!
What is repentance?
Repentance is a beautiful thing. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Repentance is a change of mind about Christ and about sin that leads to a change of action. Our lifestyle transforms. Repentance is not, I’m going to stop doing this stuff and that’s it. In repentance you’re not left empty-handed. Repentance is, I’m dropping all that is in my hand to grasp a hold of something better. I want to grasp a hold of Christ. In Him I have something far more precious.
Repentance is the result of seeing the beauty of God and His goodness and being so consumed with it that everything that you’re holding onto looks like trash in comparison to Him. The good news of the gospel is that you get to repent of sin without shame because Christ gave His life for you and resurrected. He is the one that says you are covered.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” C.S. Lewis
When we are repentant we see sin like we’ve never seen it before. We begin to hate it. We begin to see how it leaves us broken. We see what Christ has done on the cross for us. We change directions from that sin to the direction of Christ. That is biblical repentance.
It may not always be perfect, but the heart will have a new relationship with sin. Sin will begin to bother you and break your heart. The things that didn’t use to bother you before will bother you now.
Acts 3:19 “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Luke 3:8 “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham. That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.”
Acts 26:20 “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
To repent is to:
- Admit your sinfulness
- Regret
- Change one’s mind
- A change of attitude towards God’s truth.
- Change of heart
- It is a change of direction and ways.
- Turn from your sins
- Hatred for sin and the things that God hates and a love for the things that God loves.
There is a lot of confusion when discussing repentance. However, allow me to clarify a few things regarding repentance. Repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. 2 Timothy 2:25 teaches us that it is God who grants us repentance. Repentance is a work of God.
As stated above, Repentance is a change of mind about Christ, which will lead to a lifestyle change. Repentance is not what saves us. Trusting in the perfect work of Christ is what saves us. However, without first having a change of mind (repentance), people will not place their faith in Christ for salvation.
Biblical repentance should lead to a growing hatred for sin. This does not mean that a believer won’t struggle with sin. The statement is true that “no one is perfect.” However, a true repentant heart will not live a continuous lifestyle of sin. Evidence of salvation is that a person will be a new creature with new desires and affections for Christ and His Word. There will be a change in that person’s lifestyle. Paul taught that man is saved by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28). However, this leads to the question, does it matter if a Christian lives a lifestyle of sin and rebellion? Paul gives a response to this question in Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Believers have died to sin. Paul then goes on to use baptism as an illustration of our spiritual reality.
Romans 6:4 “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
We were buried with Christ and raised from the dead in newness of life. Dwell upon this thought for a second. It’s impossible for a person to be risen from the dead and not have their entire life changed.
A genuine believer will not desire to trample on the grace of God because He has been supernaturally changed by God and has been given new desires. If someone is claiming to be Christian, but sin doesn’t bother them and they boldly proclaim, “I’ll just sin now and repent later, I’m a sinner anyway,” is this evidence of a changed heart or an unregenerate heart (A heart that has not been radically changed by God)? A repentant heart has been so moved by the grace of God, and it has been so captivated by the beauty of the Lord, that it wants to live a life pleasing to Him. Once again, it is not because obedience somehow saves me, but because He has already saved me! Jesus alone is enough to live a life of obedience.
Be honest
Now that we learned what repentance is, allow me to give you some helpful advice. I encourage you to repent daily. Let’s be professional repenters. Be intimate with the Lord and be specific when asking for forgiveness. Also, I encourage you to consider this.
Is there any sin that is stopping you from trusting in Christ? Is there anything that is holding you back? Is there something that you find more precious than Jesus? Jesus died so that you could be set free from sin. I encourage you to examine yourself and be honest.
Whether it be sexual immorality, pornography, greed, drunkenness, drugs, pride, lying, cursing, anger, gossip, stealing, hatred, idolatry, etc. Is there anything that you love more than Christ that has a hold on your life? The blood of Christ is strong enough to break every chain!
Get alone with God and be honest with Him about your struggles. This is a way of being totally reliant upon God. Ask for forgiveness and pray for a change of mind. Say, “Lord I don’t want these things. Help me. I need You. Change my desires. Change my passions.” Pray for help with these things. Pray for strength from the Spirit. Pray for help with dying to self. For those of you who struggle with sin such as myself, I encourage you to cling to Christ.
In resting in Christ there is victory!
Romans 7:24-25 “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?
This is the gospel that saves.
(Jesus died for our sins, He was buried for our sins, and He was resurrected for our sins.)
Believe this gospel that Jesus died and rose again defeating sin and death. He died the death that we deserved so that we could have eternal life. Jesus took our place on the cross. We don’t deserve God’s love and mercy, but He still gives it. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
“The heart of the gospel is redemption, and the essence of redemption is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.” (C.H. Spurgeon)
“The core and essence of the Gospel is its tremendous and glorious revelation of how deadly is God’s hatred of sin, so that He cannot stand having it in the same universe as Himself, and will go any length, and will pay any price, and will make any sacrifice, to master and abolish it, is set upon so doing in our hearts, thank God, as elsewhere.” – A. J. Gossip
Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
If we are saved by faith alone, why should we obey God?
Let’s look into the the topic of why Christians obey a little further. It is imperative that we don’t start to think that we remain in a right standing before God by our works. This is believing salvation by works. We are saved by trusting solely upon Christ. We are totally loved by God and justified before Him. Christ has perfectly finished the work on the cross. On the cross, Jesus said, “it is finished.” He has satisfied the wrath of God. Jesus has emancipated us from the penalty sin and the power of it.
Christians are already saved by His blood and that is why we obey! We obey because we are thankful for what was done for us on the cross and we love God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
This passage teaches us that those who trust in Christ are not only forgiven, they are also made new. Salvation is a supernaturally work of God, where God changes a man and makes Him a new creature. The new creature has been awakened to spiritual things. He has new passions and appetites, a new course of life, new purposes, new fears, and new hopes. Those who are in Christ have a new identity in Christ. Christians are not trying to be new creatures. Christians are new creatures!
I’m going to be totally honest for just a second. I’m burdened by what I’m witnessing in Christianity today. What frightens me is many who call themselves Christians live like the devil. It’s frightening because Matthew 7 reminds us that many will go before the Lord one day expecting to get inside heaven only to hear, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” That is absolutely terrifying! There are massive false conversions going on in Christianity today and it tears my heart apart.
Congregations throughout America are filled with beautiful people on the outside. However, on the inside many are dead and don’t know Jesus and it’s evident by the fruit that they bear. Matthew 7:16-18 “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
We have to get to the condition of the heart. Once again, I’m not saying that Christians don’t struggle or that we are not distracted at times by the things of this world. However, what does the whole of your life reveal? Do you want Jesus? Does sin bother you? Are you seeking to live in sin and find a teacher who will justify your sins? Are you a new creature? What does your life reveal? In the section below, we will discuss evidence of salvation.
Matthew 7:21-24 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Luke 13:23-28 “Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”
Evidence of true salvation in Christ.
- You will have faith in Christ alone.
- More and more you will have a greater sense of your sinfulness and you will see your great need for a Savior.
- You will confess your sins daily and grow in repentance.
- You will be a new creation.
- Obedience to God’s Word.
- You will have new desires and affections for Christ.
- God will work in your life to make you into the image of His Son.
- You will grow in your knowledge of the gospel and dependence on Christ.
- Seeking a pure life regardless of the world.
- Desiring to have fellowship with Christ and with others.
- You will grow and produce fruit (some people grow slower and some faster, but there will be growth. Sometimes it will be three steps forward and two steps back or one step forward and two steps back, but once again you will grow.)
Wait, so can a true Christian backslide?
Yes, true Christians can backslide. However, God will eventually bring that person to repentance if that person is a child of God. He will even discipline that child if He has to. Hebrews 12:6 “Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
God is a loving father and just like any loving father, He will discipline His children. Loving parents never allow their children to wander off. God will not allow His children to go astray. If God allows someone to go on living in a sinful lifestyle and He doesn’t discipline them, then that is evidence that the person is not His child.
Can a Christian backslide? Yes, and it is even possible for a long period of time. However, will they remain there? NO! God loves His children and will not allow them to go astray.
Wait, so can a true Christian struggle with sin?
Yes, as I mentioned above, true Christians struggle with sin. There are people who say, “I’m struggling with sin” as an excuse to continue in their sin. Nonetheless, there are genuine Christians who struggle and are broken over their struggles, which reveals a repentant heart. A good preacher wants said, “as believers we should be professional repenters.”
Let’s repent daily. Also, remember this as well. Our response to struggling should be to run to the Lord. Lean on His grace that not only forgives us, but helps us as well. Run to God with all your heart and say, “God I need your help. I can’t do this on my own. Please Lord help me.” Let’s learn to grow in our dependence of Christ.
What doesn’t save you?
In this section, let’s discuss popular misconceptions that many have. There are several things that are important on our walk with Christ. However, they are not what save us.
Baptism – Water baptism does not save anyone. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 teaches us that it is faith in the gospel that saves us. These Scriptures also remind us what the gospel is. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Though baptism does not save us, we should get baptized after placing our faith in Christ.
Baptism is important and it’s an act of obedience that Christians do after getting saved by the blood of Christ. Baptism is a beautiful symbol of being buried with Christ unto death and being resurrected with Christ in newness of life.
Praying – A Christian will desire to have fellowship with the Lord. A believer will pray because he has a personal relationship with the Lord. Prayer is not what saves us. It’s the blood of Christ alone that removes the sin barrier that separates humanity from God. With that said, we need prayer to have fellowship with the Lord. Remember the words of Martin Luther, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
Going to church – It is essential for your spiritual growth that you find a biblical church. However, attending church is not what saves nor maintains our salvation. Once more, attending church is important. A Christian should be attending and actively involved in their local church.
Obeying the Bible – Romans 3:28 teaches us that we are saved by faith apart from the works of the law. You’re not saved by obeying the Bible, but evidence that you are saved by faith alone is that your life will change. I’m not teaching a works-based salvation nor am I contradicting myself. A true Christian will grow in obedience because he has been saved and radically changed by the sovereign God of this universe.
You are saved by faith alone and you can’t add anything to the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Why Christianity over other religions?
- Every other religion in the world teaches a works-based salvation. Whether it is Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholicism, etc. the viewpoint is always the same, salvation by works. A works-based salvation appeals to man’s sinful and prideful desires. Humanity desires to be in control of their own destiny. Christianity teaches us that we can’t earn our way to God. We are not good enough to save ourselves. God is holy and He demands perfection and Jesus became that perfection on our behalf.
- In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By saying this, Jesus was teaching that He is the only way to heaven and that all other ways and religions are false.
- All religions can’t be true if they have different teachings and contradict each other.
- “Christianity is the only religion in the world where a man’s God comes and lives inside of Him!” Leonard Ravenhill
- Fulfilled prophecies are major evidences for the reliability of God’s Word. The prophecies in the Bible are 100% accurate. No other religion can make that claim.
- Jesus made claims and He backed them up. He died and rose again.
- Not only was Scripture written by eyewitnesses, the Bible also records eyewitness accounts of the resurrection of Christ.
- The Bible was written over 1500 years. Scripture contains 66 books and it has over 40 authors who lived in different continents. How is it that there is perfect consistency in every message and every chapter seems to point to Christ? Either it’s an extreme coincidence that defies all probability, or the Bible was sovereignly written and orchestrated by God. The Bible is the most scrutinized book ever, but it still stands firm because God preserves His Word.
- Christianity is about a relationship with God.
Steps to become a Christian
Come to God with all your heart
Be honest with Him. He already knows. Cry out to Him. Repent and believe in Christ and you shall be saved. Call on God now to save you!
The answer to how to become a Christian is simple. Jesus! Trust in the perfect work of Jesus on your behalf.
Steps 1-3
1. Repent: Are you having a change of mind about sin and what Christ has done for you? Do you believe that you’re a sinner in need of a Savior?
2. Believe: Anybody can say something with their mouth, but you must believe with your heart. Ask Christ to forgive your sins and believe He has taken away your sins! Trust Christ for the forgiveness of sins. All your sins are removed and atoned for. Jesus has saved you from the wrath of God in hell. If you were to die and God asked, “why should I let you into heaven?” The answer is (Jesus). Jesus is the only way into heaven. He is the claim for humanity. He died, He was buried, and He resurrected defeating sin and death.
Be honest: Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven?
Be honest: Do you believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins, was buried for your sins, and rose from the dead for your sins?
Be honest: Do you believe that all your sins are gone because in His amazing love for you, Christ paid for all of them so you could be set free?
3. Surrender: Your life is for Him now.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Advice for new Christians
Pray daily: Find a quiet place and go be alone with the Lord. Build your intimacy with Christ. Talk to Him throughout the day. Include Christ in the smallest aspects of your day. Enjoy Him and get to know Him.
Read the Bible: Opening our Bible allows God to speak to us through His Word. I encourage you to read Scripture daily.
Find a church: I encourage you to find a biblical church and get involved. Community is important on our walk with Christ.
Stay accountable: Never doubt the impact of accountability partners on your walk with Christ. Find trusted mature believers who you can be accountable with and who can be accountable with you. Be vulnerable and share prayer requests with each other. Be honest about how you are doing.
Find a mentor: Find an older believer who can help guide you on your walk with the Lord.
Confess your sins: There is always sin to confess. If we are not confessing sin, then our hearts are being hardened by sin. Don’t hide. You are so loved by God. Be honest with the Lord and receive forgiveness and help. Confess your sins daily.
Worship God: Let’s grow in our worship and praise of God. Worship Him by the way that you live your life. Worship Him in your work. Worship Him through music. Worship the Lord with awe and thanksgiving daily. True worship comes to the Lord with a genuine heart and desires only God. “We can express our worship to God in many ways. But if we love the Lord and are led by His Holy Spirit, our worship will always bring a delighted sense of admiring awe and a sincere humility on our part.”
Aiden Wilson Tozer
Rest in Christ: Know that you are deeply loved by God and it’s not because of anything that you have to offer Him. Rest in the perfect work of Christ. Believe in His grace. Cherish His blood and rest in it. Cling to Him alone. As the hymn says, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”
Don’t give up: As a believer, you will have both good and bad times. There will be times on your walk when you will be discouraged by your struggles with sin. There will be times when you’ll feel spiritually dry and defeated. Satan will try to attack your identity in Christ, condemn you, and lie to you. Remember who you are in Christ. Don’t remain in that state of despair. Don’t feel like you’re not good enough to go to God. Christ made a way for you so that you could be right with the Lord.
I love the words of Martin Luther, “God doesn’t love us because of our worth, we are worth because God loves us.” Run to God for forgiveness and help. Allow God to pick you up and dust you off because He loves you. Then, start moving forward. There will be times on your walk when you can’t sense God’s presence. God didn’t leave you don’t worry. When this happens, remember to live by faith and not your feelings.
Whatever situation that you find yourself in, keep pursuing the Lord. Put the past behind you and move forward to God. Realize that He is with you. His Spirit is living inside you. Don’t give up! Run to Him and seek Him daily. 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
ABC’s of becoming a Christian
A – Admit you are a sinner
B – Believe Jesus is Lord
C – Confess Jesus as Lord
God bless you my brothers and sisters in Christ.
For more information about evidence of salvation, please read this article.
Helpful verses
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 10:9-11 “If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved from the punishment of sin. When we believe in our hearts, we are made right with God. We tell with our mouth how we were saved from the punishment of sin. The Holy Writings say, “No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.”
Romans 15:13 “Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Well explained. God bless you. Praying many will get the message and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior.
Hello Betty,
I very much enjoyed reading this message, I feel so blessed to have come across this website. It’s such a comfort to know that there are still many good Christian websites that can help stay focused on our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. God Bless you and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Christ Jesus. We were raised.
I really enjoyed reading this and hope as I close I can find this site again.
Merry Christmas Bessie Smith!
In His grip 🙏
Thank you for this message of salvation. May God help us to live out our Christian faith.
Well said, I loved every explanation, I pray that more people read this article.
Looking to find a way to help others and stay connected.
Trying to scare people into Christianity does nothing but push people away. God is love. To become a Christian all you need to do is receive his love, you do not have to be perfect.
Hi Nikeya,
I’m not trying to scare people into Christianity. I’m giving you what the Bible says. God is love, but He does have wrath. I never said you have to be perfect. However, a true believer will bear fruits of repentance. There will be a change of minds that leads to a change of action.
– Fritz
I think you are still conflicted on what saves someone, I mean on paper you say Jesus saves you by faith alone but then you tell a person to look at their works and personal experience for (CONFIDENCE) that they are saved. CONFIDENCE IS FAITH so… you’re preaching the Gospel and pointing to Jesus but then pushing Jesus to the side and exalting a persons progress above that faith and effectively saying it doesn’t matter if you believe if your works don’t match. I wonder what you would say gives you confidence of salvation. Do you point at Jesus but then to yourself saying I know i believe because I repent every day, etc evidence of true salvation..? That means JESUS is your INTELLECTUAL answer but your CONFIDENCE is really in yourself…. meaning you need to still make the decision to believe and CONFIDE in Jesus alone.
Hey Robert,
Nowhere in the article did I tell others to get their confidence from their works. No, look to Jesus alone. Rest in Him. When a man is saved, that is God’s work and God will continually work in that man. Evidence of faith alone is a changed life because God has done a mighty work. True Christians obey because they have been saved not because obeying saves them.
– Fritz
…I might add that I used to get very conflicted/tangled up in “now that I am a Christian, I should be able to live perfectly in this world and in this life without sinning. How confusing!
No, I AM a sinner and That’s why I sin, even now. I am perfected under the blood of the lamb of God who takes away my sin.
The evidence will certainly be clear because ATTITUDE changes are completely within and are expressed outwardly through behavior choices. Those ACTUAL behavior choices WILL NOT ALWAYS BE SINLESS…I AM A SINNER DECLARES THE LORD. YET, OH HOW HE LOVES ME.
My mind has a hard time getting around that.
Thank God for Jesus…God’s plan for me to be reconciled to Himself, for HE first loved me.
I pray that this helps and that these words were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Amen this is true!!!
I agree that a true believer will turn from sin; because God’s Spirit is in that person, so He changes that person from the inside out. So what is a true believer ? All who call upon the Lord will be saved. Who is the Lord? Jesus of Nazareth is. He died on our behalf and was raised up on our behalf. If we believe that, we will be born again; and being born again we receive the Holy Spirit, so that by the enabling of this Spirit we may live a wholesome life. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot live a wholesome (holy) life; we may try, but the truth is the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. You are right in saying, “those who are in Christ cannot remain in sin. Why? Because God’s seed is in them, and they cannot remain practicing sin. Not because of their own effort, but because the nature of God in them begins to put healthy habits in them. It is all quite simple. And I am happy God makes it clear for us simple folks.
Indeed. Amen. thank God
Exactly as [Fritz Chery] says.
Do Not hit the [Messenger] here, but rather it is GOD you/we/me are Hitting Directly if such Excuses like these Prolong to continue. It is there in the Bible.
Well said Fritz. The world wants to believe that there is a god who does not judge. Our God sent His Son to die for our sins. We should fear the Lord our God. He is love, but He as is our Judge our Jury
Amen, Fritz ! ” …I’m giving you what the Bible says. God is love, but He does have wrath. I never said you have to be perfect. However, a true believer will bear fruits of repentance. There will be a change of minds that leads to a change of action.”
Christians will always have doubters/haters/enemies… I love your words and I’m sure Jesus does too. The information you post is very helpful. I know God doesn’t want us to argue his word with unbelievers, if they don’t understand and accept it, we let them be. I’ve been pulled into arguments before and regret it. When Jesus was here on earth he didn’t argue with anyone. He simply stated what was true. But was very careful with bait questions. Your doing the same. And that shows you are a true believers/follower and child of God. May God’s Holy Spirit always be with you and continue to guide you with right words for those who are really searching.
Thank you for the information. It is very helpful to me.
Nikeya if you read the bible it will tell you how to live your life for the Lord. It is a compass for us. The Lord will speak to you through His Word and you will know the truth.
@Nikeya
The Gospel of Jesus is Christ is offensive and that’s the truth whether you want to face it or not. Just think of it this way. Knowing that a majority of other religions make it seem easy to get to Heaven by buying your way there (completely false) or they twist Scripture. The Only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. If you haven’t already I encourage you to repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness and start following after Jesus. Fritz is not trying to scare people but you can’t just water down the Gospel and Bible like that. Even in Scripture in Exodus and throughout the Bible. Jesus punished those who were wicked and were not born again (were not saved and did not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior). Fritz is telling you the Truth about Jesus because you need him as much as any other person on this planet. By the way, The Gospel of Jesus is offensive to you because it goes against our society’s popular false belief that as long as you’re a good person you can go to Heaven. Which is another untrue opinion. Also it contradicts human knowledge and understanding because it goes against our sinful nature. This is probably why you got offended. I encourage you to read the Bible for what it is and seek God more. He will definitely reveal yourself to you.
Grace and Peace,
Jason
Amen brother!
In His grip 🙏
All of this is true. I’m not Baptist/Pentecostal though. Reading this is very very hardcore. It also assumes that the sin of everyone is what they’ve doNe. Not what they’ve failed to do.
Mostly Episcopal with some Methodist. My experience was actually being an earnest kid (preacher’s child) and trying to measure up, to be goid enough for Heaven. At one point, I ran away/moved out and wound up on a commune of sorts called Twelve Tribes. They were a classic cult, and they were talking forever about “removing the leaven from your life”. And then I fled as fast I could and made it the next day to a Presbyterian church where they were talking about the Jewish sacrifices of atonement. How they bled out animals. She stopped. “We don’t have to do that anymore!” she said.
Midway through work at Amazon, I came to understand that no matter how many items I picked or how fast, I could never make quota. It never managed to be enough. While this article is correct , it tends to put things into a one size fits all approach, and contradict itself by saying that we need all sorts of things like constant repentence (I do repent, but it’s usually when we know we mess up, if I did it every day, it wouldn’t feel meaningful) while at the same time saying nothing we do can save us. That includes the laundry list above.
My biggest sin right now is fear. What they call sloth. In this Coronavirus disease, I’m afraid to go out without other people. I’m afraid people might arrest me if I go too far from home. I’m not afraid of the disease, I’m afraid of the police.
People will say we need to sacrifice, we need to be perfect, we need to this to do that… We don’t have to do that anymore. Thanks be to God.
Hey Samantha,
I’m thankful that you understand that salvation is found only in the blood of Christ. Repentance is not a work we do to save ourselves.
Repentance is a work of God.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
– Fritz
John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
A person is saved by faith alone, but repentance will be evident is a believer’s life. Also, I recommend to confess sin daily because commands us to confess sin – 1 John 1:9. We sin daily in our thoughts, deeds, words. We should be confessing our sin so our hearts are not hardened by sin. The closer we get to the light of Christ will reveal how sinful we are and how much we need Jesus.
I am grateful for this article, father in heaven have mercy on me
I’ve noticed people tend to equate “God is love” with “God will never have wrath” or that God will always approve of everything everyone does if He loves them. This is nonsensical. If you found your toddler with a bottle of rat poison you wouldn’t laugh and approve just because you love them, you would take it away, put it somewhere further out of reach and tell them not to do it again.
“For whom the LORD loves He disciplines, Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12 NASB
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6 ESV
Amen sister! 🙏
Keep reading you Bible sister!
Jesus is NOT a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, Caucasian, surfer type with a perfect complexion, gentle appearance and wearing a woman’s nightgown begging to come into your heart.
__________________________
The link between the fear of God and wisdom means we cannot possess wisdom if we recreate God in our own image. Too many people want to “tame” God into a non-threatening nobody. But, if we redefine the
Lord as a god that makes us feel comfortable, a permissive “buddy” who exists simply to bless us and give us what we want, we will not fear Him in the way He deserves to be feared. The Lord God Almighty
is far greater than that, and the
fear of the Lord begins when we
see Him in His majesty and power
(Revelation 4:11; Job 42:1–2).
The Lord shows Job (and us) a glimpse of His power in Job 38-41 when He describes His absolute sovereignty over everything.
Not to be rude, but this wouldn’t encourage me to be a Christian if I were high. I thought yalls God was about love and forgiveness. How are Christians a child of God and there’s no love like that of the holy Father or something.. this makes me feel like if I joined this group then I would only ever hate again. How disappointing.
Hey Anon,
Thank you for commenting. This article was written in love. When I posted Scripture, those are not my words. Those are God’s Words. God is love but a loving God must hate evil. God tells us to repent. Through the death of His perfect Son, God has made a way for men to be right with Him. Just I because I quote God’s Word does not mean I hate you. Also, a Christian has experienced God’s love and His grace and does not desire to trample the grace of God. Love does not mean that Christians can’t preach against sin. In fact, if I truly believe what the Bible says about hell, then I should be more urgent to proclaim repentance and faith in Christ alone.
– Fritz
I am a Christian and have been for for 33 years. I only have peace with God, he is my everything. I can’t live in peace with out my savior Jesus Christ. Thanks
I have never ever met a Christian or read an essay where the idea of the Narrow Path has been thoroughly and truly explained.
Fritz,
I enjoyed your article. Have you considered these scriptures in your study?
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 2:37-38 NIV
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] 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.
Romans 6:3-8 NIV
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— [7] because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. [8] Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Colossians 2:11-12 NIV
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
All conversions in Acts as well. We are saved by grace through faith and faith is an obedience not just a belief. Christ himself was baptized, not for forgiveness since He was perfect but to fulfill all righteousness. He is our savior, prime example of obedience.
Hi Linda,
Baptism is not a saving act. Rather, baptism points to the saving work of Christ on the cross. In Matthew 28, if baptism is necessary for salvation, then obeying every command is also necessary for salvation as well. Matthew 28 is not referring to baptism being required for conversion. It is referring to making disciples. Jesus is telling them to go and make disciples, then baptize and teach them.
We know that salvation is a gift from the Lord. Baptism is a work of man. Man has to be there. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Acts 2 is not teaching us that baptism is required. We know then we are justified by faith alone. Romans 6 and Colossians 2 are referring to spiritual baptism not water baptism. Immersion into Christ is what saves us through faith. Please consider these truths.
God bless,
– Fritz
If your Bible says by Faith Alone it is wrong. The Bible does not teach by Faith Alone. And it should not have been added to The Holy Bible.
Hey James,
The Bible does teach grace through faith in Christ alone. Works are the evidence of salvation, not the cause of salvation.
Check out these verses below.
Galatians 2:21 “I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”
Romans 3:27-28 “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Galatians 3:10-11 “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
Fritz
I’m glad that I subscribed to Biblereasons.com. You are doing a great job for lazy Christians, to wake them up. It’s helping me to teach others about Scripture and Jesus.
Your plan of salvation is a lie from Satan!!! It is Lordship Salvation heresy!!! Repent and believe the gospel means to have a change of mind!!! Only!!! It’s a change of mind from mans way how to get to heaven to what Christ says. John 6:40, John 3:16. No where in the Bible does it say repent of sins!! If your bible does say that you have a modern day curupt bible translation. We are saved by faith alone in Christ finished work. Ephesians 2:8-9. Not repenting or turning from sin which is a work. Unbelievable. I pray that anyone reading this garbage get a King James Bible and look into the heresy of Lordship Salvation. Trust Christ alone for salvation.
Hi Steve,
I’m sorry. I’m not teaching a false gospel. Throughout the article I stated that we are justified by faith alone in Christ. However, You can’t place your faith in Christ without first having a change of mind. Let’s remember that knowledge of our transgressions before the Lord will be responded by running to Jesus for forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Genuine believers will be new creations. Although not perfectly and not without struggle, their life will reveal a repentant heart. Matthew 7:16 “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Look at these verses. Am I telling you something that is not in the Bible?
Please pray about these Scriptures. Genuine faith in Christ will change your life. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Faith in Christ alone is the only thing that will save you. Works do not save you. However, evidence of trusting in Christ alone is that your life will change.
– Fritz
I suppose that Steve is a typical follower of the Easy Believism crowd of YTers like Steven Anderson or Justin Edwards.
You have nothing to apologize for by sharing the TRUE GOSPEL my brother!
God bless,
In His grip 🙏
Hello Steve.
Repentance is not a work. Works are you if you do something good, like starting a ministry or writibg a tract. Repentance however is if you don’t do what you’re not supposed to do anyways.
I understand your definition. I learned it from Kent Hovind, I met him in real life, a great man. Here however I believe he errs. See 1 John 2:4. Therefore, I do not see how brother Fritz is supposedly in error.
Blessings,
Mike from Pensacola, Florida
Ephesians 4:29
King James Version
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Hey Mr. KJV
WALK THE WALK NOT TALK THE TALK
Matthew 7:15-20
King James Version
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Very well said, I am so blessed. I can use this wonderful message of truth to my brothers and sisters in my community. May God bless you more to continue to be a channel of blessings. Thank you so much. God is with you always.
So I was browsing and was very glad that someone took the time to provide the full logical story of God and salvation that was until I realize that none of what is up here is biblical….repent of your sins to be saved??? is found nowhere in the Bible unless you use a corrupted modern version and it basically spits on the cross by adding a work of righteousness. nobody can repent of their sins to be saved. think about it God’s standard is perfection so if you’re not perfect from birth to death then you’re damned just as the Bible says and God does not grade on a curve. How many sins do you repent of?? which one’s??how often?? how do you know when you’re cleared?? what if you miss one that you didn’t know of????♀️ ALL of these questions have to be answered and the Bible never answers them because the Bible doesn’t teach repenting of sins as part of salvation. Its believe, believe, faith, faith alone, believe on Christ, trust what he did etc…it’s impossible to repent OF sins if you could you wouldn’t need Christ. Repentance is about a change of mind. When You Believe on the gospel the simplicity of the Gospel, you HAVE repented because you have changed your mind about something whether it’s atheism, whether it’s your dead works like it says in Hebrews, whether it’s Muslim or Judaism, you’ve changed your mind about something so you can’t believe and not repent because believing and being convinced of the proposition that God has given us in the scriptures IS repentance. Btw, guess who repented more than anyone in the whole Bible God himself now is he turning from sin???♀️ prob not He was changing his mind about something. His character andn his ways never change but his mind does, as he changed his mind about creation when it was corrupted in Genesis 6 before the flood.
Hey Lorenzo,
Thank you for commenting. However, I believe that you are mistaken. As stated in the article, repentance is a change of mind about Christ and sin, but it will lead to a change of action. I’m not teaching a works salvation. It is God who grants us repentance as 2 Timothy 2:25 teaches us. It is God who makes us a new creation with new desires to obey Him.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Because we have been saved by faith alone and God lives inside us, we will not desire to take advantage of His grace. The life of a Christian will reveal a repentant heart. Believers will not use God’s grace as a license to sin because we have been supernaturally transformed by God.
Jude 1:4 “For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”
– Fritz
Hi Fritz, Ive posted a “Thank You” already for the article and the message (but it hasn’t been approved to show up so far). Your article is one of the most thorough and well explained that I’ve come across so far.
I like reading the comments from others, so, after reading a couple of them, it stood out to me and I wondered why the ‘negative’ responses. I’m hoping that it will be okay to comment on the subject of “repentance” as that’s something that Steve and Lorenzo have commented on above…
I’ll first say what my understanding of repentance/to repent means:
– it’s to Acknowledge/Accept
‘I am a sinner’ AND IN NEED of a Saviour;
– to have a change of mind, a change of
heart about who Christ is, To turn around
from where I was heading (if away
from God) ==> To turn back to God.
Your article is in agreement with repentance being a change of mind, a change of heart and I’ve not had a problem understanding how you’ve explained it. However, I see some parts of the article where if I was a new believer and trying to understand what repentance is, I would be confused, not so much from YOUR writing but confusion with the quoted scripture
(I think you’ve used the NLT bible??). It is confusing in particular for a person who is a new believer and for Christians who use particular versions of the Bible.
If I may I will show you from your article where ” to repent ” is not very clearly translated in the bible translation you’ve used. (I’ll use caps to show where I mean).
You’ve quoted, Mark 6:12 “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met TO REPENT OF THEIR SINS and turn to God.”
Whereas, the ESV says it like this;
“So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.
Mark 6:12 ESV
You’ve quoted, Acts 3:19 “Now REPENT OF YOUR SINS and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Whereas the ESV says:
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” Acts 3:19 ESV
Now, I understand what repentance is, but it may be confusing for some new believers and for some mature Christians because it’s saying “repent of your sins” , which could be understood by a new believer that “to repent” is to confess their sins.
You’ve said: If someone is claiming to be Christian, but sin doesn’t bother them and they boldly proclaim, “I’ll just sin now and repent later, I’m a sinner anyway,” is this evidence of a changed heart or an unregenerate heart.
Here in this example “and repent later” it again may seem confusing like its being used to mean confessing sins where actually repentance is not that.
I think your whole message is very clear and like I said easily understood. It’s just a the clarification of “repentance/to repent” in a couple of areas it sounds like to confess the sins. Yes as you’ve said we must confess our sins daily and say we are sorry (and has to be truly heartfelt).
I hope that you will look at these areas where repent (turn to God) is coming across as to confess sins.
God bless you. May God continue to guide and direct you as you serve Him.
P.s. I’d love to hear back from you as to your thoughts, understanding and/or if ive said something in error.
Emily
Thank you once again Emily for your encouraging words. I went back to check out their comments. I noticed that Steve has a misunderstanding of what repentance is. Repentance is a work of God. It’s something that God does. Salvation is a work of God as well where God changes a man and makes him new. He is right in saying that you will have a change of mind, but that change of mind will result in a change of action. I noticed Lorenzo had a similar perspective. That’s why I tried my best to explain in the comment section. I honestly tried my best to explain what repentance is within the article. Adding as much detail as possible. I’ve noticed though, that sometimes regarding these topics, many disregard what is said because it doesn’t fit their viewpoint. Sometimes people read in defense mode. I even discussed the struggling believer and the Bible’s warning to false believers.
Also, I agree with your definition of repentance. I love it.
Regarding the translation differences. Regardless of the translation that you use in the specific matter, we still have to find out what the word repent means. I believe the NLT translation explains it the best.
Mark 6:12 “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.”
Repent of your sins but you’re not left empty handed when you do. We are told that we repent in order to grasp a hold of something better and that is God. We have a change of mind about sin and Jesus and that is going to lead us to seeing Him as more precious. We see sin as rubbish in comparison to Him. So, we leave sin and turn to God for something more precious. The main thing in these specific translations is understanding what it means to repent. One helps in understanding it slightly better.
I believe I explained it well, but have taken into consideration what you said. My hope though is that the Holy Spirit would move in hearts and that people would read this with an open mind. I believe both commenters had guards up and disregarded all explanations because the explanations that were in the article were not mentioned. Nor were verses added to explain repentance and being a new creature with new desires and affections.
Thank you for your concern and for being encouraging. I’m open to positive suggestions and will review the article again to see if I can explain things better.
– Fritz
Amen tell the truth of the Gospel don’t muddy up the water. Grace alone Faith alone Christ alone the end. Yes Faith alone + nothing = Salvation. Yes Repentance is necessary for salvation but Repentance and faith has been said to be a two sided coin with repentance on one side and faith on the other but there one coin because Repentance is a must as Faith is a must but repentance is not repenting of sins no that’s works. Repentance is a change of mind to what you believe about Christ and who he is from former beliefs in false Gods or disbelief or ignorance or lack of interest because man can’t repent of sin without the work of the power of God though the Holy Ghost and man can’t have the the Holy Ghost until they are Saved. Now dealing with Faith it is on the finished work of the son of God on the Cross through the shed blood of Christ and his death burial and resurrection we must have faith and place our faith in that. This is true SALVATION and THE TRUE message of the GOSPEL. See Ephesians 2: 8-9. Yes we also are called to good works and should show growth and bare some fruits. Ephesians 2: 10. But however we can not judge or be fruit inspectors to determine ones sincerity towards salvation. But rather call one to re-examine if a Heart has been changed do we truly have a new life are we a new creation in Christ do we Love the Brethren are we truly in the faith. And no this is not a 100% way to determines someone’s Salvation because that is between God and man but a true regenerated and redeemed life we should Love God and our Love of God will make us along with the Holy Ghost to do good works and turn from sin because we all still sin but shouldn’t live a lifestyle of sin.
The term repent at its root means “to change one’s mind.” To repent of sin means to change your mind about sin. At one time you thought sin was good and acceptable and even fun. When you repent, you see sin as evil and harmful. Any change of mind can be described as repentance.
When the Bible says God “changes His mind,” it is speaking of God in human terms. (The technical term is anthropomorphism.) Of course, God knows all along what He will or will not do, and He never changes His mind because He never gets new information that He has to consider. However, as He interacts with people, He interacts in real time. God does not interact with us today on the basis of the sin that we may commit next month. Today, if we are walking in obedience and fellowship with Him, God chooses not to act on what He knows is coming. Likewise, if we are living in sinfulness today, but He knows we are going to repent next year, God does not treat us as He will next year. He deals with us now, in the situation we are in.
In the King James Version, Jeremiah 26:13, 1 Chronicles 21:15, and Joel 2:13 say that God repented. Specifically, God repents of the punishment that He was going to send, because the people repented. God was sending judgment, but, in response to the sinners’ change of mind about sin, God also “changed His mind” about the judgment. Because of the possible confusion such wording may produce, the NIV translates the term “relent,” which does convey the idea accurately: “Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you” (Jeremiah 26:13, emphasis added).
On the eternal level, God never “changes His mind.” In fact, Numbers 23:19 says that God does not lie or repent—because He never gains access to new information. But on the level of interaction with humans—from our perspective—He does. Although He knows what will happen before it does, He reacts to us in “real time.” When the situation changes, He changes His actions and His responses to us.
Sin entered when humans broke the rules by giving into temptation.. snake lies..this disobedience has consequences.. and Adam n Eve have opened the door for sin to enter..we are all sinners from that point on.. everything we do is in need of a soul check..who do u hold accountable for yourself and your sinful actions ?
YOURSELF.
Jesus is our saving grace for this disobedience..Satan has reign on Earth.. we can choose to follow his way or YAWEH..satan is evil and waits .antidote to this is Love and The Word of God.
Amen.
Gods plan for salvation very well explained in no uncertain terms, just as His word is written. As a Christian, having been saved many years ago in my youth, I find that I am now aware of my day to day struggles with sin whereas before I was saved I was not. It was bold, black and white teachings of the Gospel by my father that later lead me to Christ. My father has since gone to be with the Lord. This site reminds me of his teachings to me. TY for that!
Well done, I have enjoyed every word. God bless you. I pray that others will come to know JESUS Christ as their Lord and savior.
Nikeya
He isn’t scaring people as you say just try reading and understanding it with a calm mind I was scared at first.
Blessed year 2020
I thank God for your life . May the Almighty protect you and give you more wisdom, and revelation in His Word. This is an eye opener, straight talk all Christians need to read this seriously.
Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shall be saved and thy house.
It’s an even balance we need to preach. Telling people of God’s just
Wrath sets up their hearts to fear the Lord because they are worthy of death…
And because the Wages of sin is death.
Rightly deserved they can know God’s gift of taking on the wrath we deserve shows them the depth God has of Great Love! Can Appreciate
If we don’t talk of God’s righteous wrath that John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord teaching God’s ways. Then people dont know why they deserve Hell and truly appreciate God’s gift.
Taking the Cross for granted many will not live the way they should being compelled by the righteous love of God!
Good presentation, and compilation of scriptures for the Salvation message. It’s so simple that I believe that many can’t grasp the importance of this eternal Truth. God Blessings for Christ’s sake. Amen
It is great to have people who devote their time in order to see that lives are being captured to Christianity. May the lord our God bless & keep from this time and forevermore. I am really impressed and have received Christ by reading this. May the lord increase you. Amen!
I have really been blessed by these words. God bless you!
I thank God for His Word. It’s so true. I thank Him for wisdom, knowledge, and an understanding of His Word. I thank God for coming across this website. God makes no mistakes. It was a reason I landed here. Be blessed true believer in Christ, my sisters and brothers.
Hmm you’ve spoken well, this is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit And I pray that all heavenly minded people will come across websites of this kind in Jesus name Amen.
I love every single word of yours and I pray for more wisdom, thank you and God bless you.
If you do not tell others about Jesus, then you do not know Him either !
No such thing as a secret Christian, if you are a “secret Christian ” then you are going through the motions and deceiving yourself. You have itchy ears only!
Yes you are right, repentance is the evidence to show. For example someone who used to masturbate, commit abortion, etc. will really feel bad for doing so. But an unrepentant fellow will see nothing wrong with what he has done. What you said about a believer backsliding is also real. From my life experience yes you got it! A was actually worried about losing Heaven, thank for clearing my doubt and fear. God is love but the consequences of sin are real. Thanks again for this write up.
Start reading in Acts 9:1 & continue on through Hebrews & you will have the entire story of the Apostle Paul being chosen to be a minister of God / Jesus & giving us [gentiles] equal citizenship with the Jews. We are saved by grace through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. You will see what Ephesians 1:13 really means. We “believers” are [sealed] with the Holy Spirit.
Hi great article! God is very pleased brother Fritz. I praise God for you. Allow that gift to be used in the furtherance of His Kingdom. May many of your kind have the boldness to tell the Real Truth in regards to matter of our salvation/Christianity.
True indeed – a simple fact that is being distorted by many- that by being good (good works) and not acknowledging that we only reconcile to our loving Father through His Son Jesus will not lead us to God. But yet just acknowledging Jesus/believe and remain the same– no fruits, no change, no transformation, same appetite to sin –the same old self is never His a way to our life in eternity with Him.
Let us continue to PRAY FOR OTHERS esp our love ones enable them to know Him more. Do our part in the body and the rest leave it to God. BUT a BIG BUT—Be a MODEL. No amount of verse share to them if we ourselves are not doing the talk. Have the fruit. Remember that other does not believe in God because also of us claiming Christians.. our traits, manner, character, our words etc.. It does not reflect the new creation we supposed to be. Its not perfect not easy. But as you said brother it will somehow manifest..sooner or later. Because we already have that spirit witihin us.. The Spirit of God – Gods Truth and the Holy Spirit that will help us faithful till the end.
Lets PRACTICE spiritual disciplines (especially daily communing with Him with His Words and in meditations) for us to grow deeper and closer to Him and daily be strenghten.
Be INTENTIONAL (its our obligation as He commandeth to preach the Gospel) in our own little ways to lead others to Jesus, May it be in sharing verbally the Gospel.. His WORDS.. or a simple act of kindness and many others that reflect how genuine Christian is.
God speed in our lives Brother!! Glory to our God
I am so blessed to receive this message today.
Thank you Lord Jesus for this message! Thank you for giving wisdom and TRUTH to the writer of this message. Lord I pray that the message reaches far and wide and Lord may you prepare the hearts of those, who are yours to receive it and be saved. In Jesus name. Amen
Hey Emily,
I’m thankful that you have been blessed by this gospel message. I will continually pray as well that God would use this article for His glory. Thank you again for your encouragement.
God bless,
Fritz
The exact message the world needs to hear.
Thank you for the message
God bless you..Thank God for this word.
Hey! I just wanted to stop by and thank you for writing this beautiful message. A little over three weeks ago I felt God calling me to come to him and stumbled upon this website and this post specifically. I read it in bits and pieces but it has helped me tremendously, and brought me to tears in a few places. It’s been a long walk for me, but I think I am finally becoming a true follower because of the posts on this website!
Hey Abby,
It’s a real blessing to hear what God is doing in your life. I’m thankful that He used this site to help you as well. I’ll keep you in my prayers as you grow in your understanding of the gospel. Thank you for stopping by.
God bless,
– Fritz
Good stuff. True and by the book. If anyone doesn’t believe it, then there you go about the narrow entry.
I’m a biologist. So I tend to think very scientifically.
There’s no place called heaven (hell) on any legitimate map that I know of. No life has been found outside of earth, so a place called heaven does not exist. Jesus does not exist and whether there is a God in the universe is debatable.
I’m so sick of overgrown adults persisting and whining about fairy tails like small children believing in Santa Claus and the North Pole. Grow up and open your mind!
Hey Jeremiah,
Heaven is a literal place. However, you won’t be able to find heaven on a map. I encourage you to seek the Lord. Repent and place your faith in Christ before it’s too late. Science can’t provide the answers that you need. Notice that you came to a Christian website with a closed mind and an angry heart towards Christianity and things that you believe are not true. I encourage you to take these words into consideration.
– Fritz
I also read this and enjoyed it all.
When John the baptist was preparing to baptize Jesus, he made a statement, saying, I need to be baptize of You. Jesus said this to John. I need to be baptized to fulfill all righteouness. From that point on all people have been commanded, mind you, commanded, to be baptized for the remission of sins.The book of Acts is fill with water baptism. No one will enter heaven without being in Jesus. Galations 3:27 enlightens us as to the purpose of baptism. That is the point where we put on Christ. Remember, Jesus calls baptism a righteoness act and The apostle Paul says baptism puts us into Christ. Some try to get around this saying by the Apostle Paul, by saying its a spiritual act. The Apostle Paul answerd this when he said “baptized into Christ”. This has nothing to do with a spirit. The only way to heaven is thru Christ and He believed in baptism also, for He said, He that believeth and is baptized (puts us into Christ) shall be saved. If a person dont believe Christ then heaven will not be that persons home.
Hey AL,
Baptism does not save a person, nor is it part of the gospel that saves, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Baptism is a church ordinance for a believer in Jesus who is publicly affirming his faith in Jesus. It is an act of obedience that a Christian does after professing faith in Christ. Galatians 3:27 is referring to spiritual baptism in Christ. Read Galatians 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” The baptism that saves us is spiritual baptism, immersion in Christ. Water baptism is a work of man. A man has to be there. Spiritual baptism is a work of God. Salvation is a supernatural work of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Fritz
Dear Al, this was not yet under the dispensation of grace, which did not begin prior to Acts 15. Read 1 Corinthians 1:17. Why did Christ not send Paul to baptize, if baptism would save?
Thanks for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I will always pray to the Lord and never give up on Him.
The good news of Jesus Christ has saved me. As I’m reading this I believe that God had delivered me from my sins through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have done this many times but this time meant something. For me at least it always good to hear the good news and know that Jesus Christ is for me not against me. Pray for me that I run this race according to God’s will. Thank you very much.
Hey Jeffrey,
I’m so thrilled by your comment. I will indeed keep you in my prayers and I encourage you to regularly seek the Lord in prayer and also His Word. Make a habit of spending time with the Lord. Get to know Him more and I encourage you to keep deepening in your understanding of the gospel of Christ. God bless.
– Fritz
That is good teaching just to say.
Romans 10:9-11 “If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved from the punishment of sin. When we believe in our hearts, we are made right with God. We tell with our mouths how we were saved from the punishment of sin. The Holy Writings say, “No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame.”
God bless you!
Glen
God bless you, keep teaching God’s word.
Glen
Thank you very much for this message on becoming a Christian. I am so blessed and enlightened.
Thank you for presenting the Gospel of repentance and faith in the complete and finished work of Christ. However, I believe it stops short in that there is little reference to the Holy Spirit and the work of the Spirit in our lives to transform us and enable us to live as a new creation in Christ. It is the working of the Holy Spirit within and through us. We have been born again, born of the Spirit – made new, now made alive to God! I find 2 Corinthians 3.18 is the secret to living this new life in Christ – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” And…”Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. We are brought into incredible privilege as sons of God. We are brought into adoration, worship from the heart, Love transforming us, conforming us into the image and likeness of Jesus. What joy, what praise, what thankfulness and gratitude, what realization of all that Christ has done for me!
It is the working of the Holy Spirit that I find missing from your presentation, and the working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to take our eyes off ourselves and onto Him!
This made a difference in me, I was struggling with doubt for awhile, with whether I was really saved, what you said is nothing I haven’t heard before, but you said it in a way that didn’t rely on what I have said in the past, it strengthened my faith in Christ, I prayed and was honest about what I was going through, and the doubts started to go away, and I could see the love God has for me, thank you for doing this website.
This is the most straightforward gutsy gospel presentation I’ve ever read barring the Bible. The difference is that the scattered verses of the Bible require you to search for the WHOLE story, which is what God wants of us. This article brings it home like nothing else I’ve read.!! Thank you for your work and service to the Lord!
What you wrote here below is priceless and needs to go out into the world – now!:
I’m going to be totally honest for just a second. I’m burdened by what I’m witnessing in Christianity today. What frightens me is many who call themselves Christians live like the devil. It’s frightening because Matthew 7 reminds us that many will go before the Lord one day expecting to get inside heaven only to hear, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” That is absolutely terrifying! There are massive false conversions going on in Christianity today and it tears my heart apart
Thank you for your Gospel message.
“but when HE the Spirit of truth comes he Will convince men of sin, of rightousness and judgement”.
Thank you for the great article that I am saving. You explain in plain spoken language salvation through Christ’s atonement on the cross alone.
God bless.
I’m just 10 years old and I’m trying to learn how to become a Christian.
I love bible verses as I can share with others who need my help.
I was in a place where i felt alone afraid, and in and out of different emotions. I was lost really losing myself not realizing I was losing my wife and my family in a process. I know that the Father forgive my sins, but never could really forgive myself. Me losing my faith and losing my way affected people around me. Somewhere in my journey in Christ I forgot how much HE LOVES ME SO MUCH YOU KNOW. Just sometimes I wonder what makes me so special, to me I’m a nobody I’m nothing with nothing to give but is given more then I deserve. When I backslide when I fall short it breaks my heart because I could never be better than what I see myself but when I forgave myself I realized who I was in Christ
This was incredible. From beginning to end. I’m a Christian, have been for the past 9 years of my life. But tonight, I felt the need to ask myself if i really truly understood what the Gospel meant. Because I’m someone who tends to let works be my measure of whether I’d get to heaven or not. And this was eye-opening in the purest form. God led me here. Thank you so much. God bless you! I have better words to use to express the Gospel to my friends now instead of fumbling around. I’m really so so thankful.
We need to come to a place where we will take God at his word, and allow Him to work by being dependent upon Him in complete surrender submitting to his ways. God gave us a gift we do not deserve yet he freely gave by sending Jesus in our place. The way I can show my gratitude is to serve him, follow him faithfully and be grateful each day and thank him for what he has done. To God Be The Glory For Great Things He Has Done! And will continue to do
Blessings