Why do I need to be saved?

God leaves no doubt about our condition. While we set our standards of right and wrong by society's values, God’s standard is His own holiness. How do we measure up? "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”  - Romans 3:23  It is only fair that God demands holiness; that is how He first created mankind. We have rebelled against Him as a race and as individuals.

Our pathway away from God has brought its consequences. "The wages of sin is death" - Romans 6:23a  The Bible compares sin to a cruel slave master. There is no mercy in suffering, no freedom from bondage, no lasting joy, and no hope for the future. Most frightening is the final consequence of sin. The Bible warns that without God’s salvation, death is the doorway to eternal punishment  - Hebrews 9:27.

It is from this that we need to be saved. From our own sin. From its bondage. From its consequences. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?"  - Hebrews 2:3

How does God say I can be saved?

God is holy and God is love. His holiness demands that our sin be punished in full. His love provides a way for us to be saved from this punishment. How is this possible? Someone was willing to suffer what we deserve. Our substitute had to be a sinless man, able to suffer the full wrath of God against our sin. The only one able to take our place was God’s Son.

The greatest display of God’s love unfolded as His Son left heaven to become a man. Born of a virgin 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ lived with His creation. He was tempted in every way to sin as we are and yet he did not sin; yet He showed compassion to sinners all around Him. Men hated Christ because His holiness exposed their sinfulness. They decided to remove Him by crucifying Him. He willingly allowed them to nail Him to a cross on al hill outside Jerusalem. The climax of God’s plan of salvation had arrived as God covered the earth with darkness. The Bible tells us that for three hours He laid on His Son the full punishment we deserve to receive for our sin. The darkness was broken when Jesus Christ called out with a loud voice, "It is finished." He had accomplished the mighty work, God’s great plan of salvation.

After three days in death, Christ Jesus rose from the dead. This is evidence to all who saw Him and to all who read God’s word that Christ’s suffering paid the price for our sins once and for all. He was victorious over death itself – the ultimate consequence of our sin.

God’s plan of salvation brings us into the good of Christ’s suffering, death, and victory. "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  - John 3:16

What should I do?

Many churches will say that when you say a short prayer you are saved. While this is true on the surface, the only thing the prayer of repentance does is to open the door for you to walk with God. Saying a prayer alone does nothing for us. We must pray, turn from our sins, and allow God to completely transform our nature. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  This means that when we truly pray to receive Christ with a repentant heart, God transforms us from darkness and brings us into His marvelous light! This is the Good News of the Gospel! The below prayer is just the doorway. Remember, it is not the prayer that saves; it is Jesus Christ as He comes into our heart and makes us new in Him.

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I have been running from you trying to do everything my own way. I now have come to the point where I realize that I need you in my life. I need you to change me, transform me, and make me who you want me to be. I believe that you died on the cross and were buried and that on the third day you rose from the grave! I believe you are now at the right hand of the Father praying for me and ready to change me. Today I surrender my life to you and ask you to be the Lord of my life. Today I give you my life completely to do with as you please. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me and for giving me eternal life. From this day forward I promise to walk with you in obedience as You lead me by Your Holy Spirit. These things I do today by faith. In Jesus name, Amen.’

Remember, if you have just prayed this prayer, God has opened the door to you and given you the free gift of salvation. Your responsibility is to now walk with Him yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to get plugged in to your local church. We would love for that church to be Generations Church here in Sun City, but any bible believing, life giving church is great! If you have questions or would like to speak to someone about what you have just done, please call us at 951-541-8170. God bless you!

Congratulations and welcome to the Kingdom of God! Now that you have received Him as your personal Lord and Savior, you would then follow Him in Believer's Baptism.  Our staff is available to tell you more about baptism at anytime. Please contact us if you have any further questions.