There are seven facts revealed in God’s plan for salvation, and as you study them, keep in mind that this is God’s
plan --not man’s-- it is God’s. There is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of God
(Acts 4: 12).
All roads lead to Rome, but all religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way,
and that is God’s way; and God’s way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. (John
14: 6).
God’s
salvation is threefold: First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin
by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross (Heb. 9: 26). Second,
He appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after His resurrection, to save you from the power of sin. (Heb. 9:
24 also I John 2: 1,2). Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as “Lord of lords, and
King of kings” (Rev. 17: 14) to save you from the very presence of sin (Heb.
9: 28).
Now come
to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to your soul.
1. IT IS A FACT THAT GOD LOVES YOU (JOHN 3: 16).
2. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER (ROM. 3: 23).
3. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW DEAD IN
SIN (ROM. 6:23).
4. IT IS A FACT THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU (ROM. 5: 6-8).
5. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED BY FAITH
IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. (ACTS. 16: 30,31).
6. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED AND KNOW IT (JOHN 5: 10- 13).
7. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW A CHILD OF GOD AND NOW YOU ARE TO OBEY HIM. (ACTS. 5: 29).
I. IT IS A FACT THAT GOD LOVES YOU (JOHN 3:16)
I(A) It is an eternal fact that God loves you with an everlasting
love that cannot be fathomed; it is so boundless that it can only be known by faith.
The little word "so" in the above verse is most expressive. It gives
you some concept of the magnitude of God's love. God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son, to be made sin
for you, that you might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21).
Jesus Christ was made that which God hates: sin--that you might be
made that which God loves: righteousness. Because God loves you, you can exchange your sins for His righteousness. Could you
ask for greater evidence of love? Calvary is proof that God loves, and longs to save you. Before proceeding to the next fact,
admit to yourself that "God loves me."
II. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER (ROM. 3:23)
II(A) What is sin?
Sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4)
Sin is unbelief; it calls God a liar ( I John 5: 10)
Sin
is active rebellion against God (Isa. 1:2 OT)
Sin is passive rebellion against God (Is. 1:2 OT)
All unrighteousness is sin (
I John 5:17)
God, who cannot lie, said: “All have sinned.” “All” includes you. You have sinned against
God by thought, word, and deed. You have committed sins of commission and sins of omission. In the sight of God, you are a
lost sinner.
Before proceeding to
the next fact, admit to yourself: "I am a lost sinner, because I have sinned.
III. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW DEAD IN SIN (ROM. 6:23)
III(A)
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a sinner. Now God would have you know that the "wages
of sin is death." You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as personal Savior. The Apostle
Paul said, "you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sin" (Eph. 2:1). To be saved
is to be made spiritually alive in Christ.
What is death?
(1)
Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you from God; you are dead in your sins.
(2) Death is physical separation. It separates the spirit and the
soul from the body.
(3) Death is
eternal separation. If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God at the great white throne judgment. And there
your sins will separate you from the mercy of God forever; this is hell (Rev. 20: 11-15).
You know that God loves you, and that you are
a sinner--dead in sins.
Before proceeding
to the next fact, admit to yourself: "I am dead in sins".
IV. IT IS A FACT THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU (ROM.5:6-8)
IV(A) He died for those who are unlike God; this
includes you. " While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (verse 8).
"For he (God the Father) hath made him
(God the Son) to be made sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
( II Cor. 5:21).
"For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (
I Peter 1: 18,19).
"For
Christ also hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the
flesh but quickened in the spirit ( I Peter 3: 18).
"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures"
( I Cor. 15:3).
In
the light of those wonderful Scriptures, will you now thank God for His great love in sending His Son to bear your sins in
His own body on the cross, and admit to yourself that: "Christ died on Calvary for me".
V. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED BY FAITH IN THE
LORD JESUS CHRIST (ACTS 16: 30,31)
V(A) The Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The answer was quick
in response, and positive in content: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house".
Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his house; they believed and were saved.
What is this gospel that saves when believed?
First, it is: "that Christ died for your
sins"
Second: "that He
was buried."
Third: "that
He rose again the third day" (I Cor. 15: 3,4).
Jesus Christ the God-man died for you, was buried for you, and rose from the
dead for you and is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for you (I John 2:1).
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it
is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is the power of God unto salvation only when you believe. Your faith in Jesus Christ releases the power
of God that saves your soul.
The man born blind received physical sight by a miracle; but, spiritual sight came when Jesus asked, " Dost
thou believe on the Son of God?" He answered, "Lord, I believe" (John 9: 35-38). Salvation came to Thomas when he believed and confessed, "My Lord and My God" (John
20:24-29).
When you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you will be saved
(Rom. 10:9,10).
Accept Him now by faith, and pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You love me, because You died on the cross bearing
my sins. Thank You, Lord, for revealing to me my lost, sinful condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot
save myself. I do now by faith, gladly accept You as my personal Savior, and thank you, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen.
VI. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE
SAVED AND KNOW IT (I JOHN 5: 10-13).
VI(A) "...That ye may know that ye have eternal life...(above
verse 13). Upon the authority of God's Word, you can be saved and know it. Your faith in God's infallible
Word is your assurance of salvation. " He that believeth on the Son hath (present tense) everlasting life." (John
3: 36)
The Bible is a book
of certainties. It strengthens convictions, and establishes beliefs. God would have you know:
(1) That you are now a child of God (I John 3:2)
(2) That you have been made the righteousness
of God in Christ (II Cor.5:21; also Rom. 10: 1-4).
(3) That you are now a new creature in Christ
( II Cor.5:17).
(4)
That you are now a son and heir of God ( Gal. 4:7). Could you have greater assurance than is found in God's
infallible Word? "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matt. 24:35).
VII. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW A CHILD
OF GOD AND YOU ARE TO OBEY HIM. (ACTS. 5: 29)
VII(A) "We ought to obey God rather than men" (above verse). You now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your
Lord and Master, and "no man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6: 24). Determine now to obey your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in all things:
(1) Unite with a New testament church. "And the Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
(2) Follow Him in the ordinance of baptism (Acts. 2: 41). Baptism does not save; it is a witness of your faith in the death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6: 4).
(3) Join a Sunday School Class, and study the Word with God's
children ( II Tim. 2: 15).
(4) Attend the worship services of your church (Heb. 10: 25). You need the preaching of God's Word and Christian fellowship.
(5) Be a Faithful steward ( I Cor. 4: 2). All that you are
and have belong to God. "Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price...". (I Cor. 6:19.20).
As a faithful steward, you will pay God His Tithe (Mal.3:10 OT). The tithe is one-tenth of your income and
it is the Lord's (Lev.27:30 OT).
(6) Make time in your daily life to pray and read God's Word, that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
