The Plan of Salvation

  In order to have this wonderful assurance, you need first to realize a few Bible facts.

  First of all, the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one…For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23). Everyone is a sinner. Oh, it is true that one may live more wickedly than another, but it is also true that not one of us is perfect! We each have sinned during our lifetime. Thus, we are each a sinner.

  Did you know there was a penalty established for sin before man was ever created? God designed a lake of fire, hell, as a punishment for the sin of Satan and his followers before man even entered the picture. The “everlasting fire” was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). As a result, when man chooses to sin, he condemns himself to the hell intended for Satan. With the punishment already stated, justice demands that a each sinner burn in this lake of fire. “The wicked SHALL be turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17).

  Man burning in a lake of fire is like a puppy being caught in a mouse trap. That was not the original purpose of the trap. Just as we would try to free the puppy from the trap, God provided a way that we could be delivered from the eternal punishment of sin.

  “God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). God allowed the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place, to pay our penalty with His own blood. He literally passed through hell for us. When Jesus Christ died on the cross two thousand years age, He died as your substitute. He was died to keep you from having to go to hell.

  Then, the Bible declares, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9, 13). The Lord offers us Jesus Christ as our substitute just as the preacher offers a bride to a groom in a wedding ceremony. If we sincerely believe that God can save us, and we are willing to say “I DO” to Jesus Christ, the Bible promises “Thou Shalt be Saved!”

  Salvation is a free gift offered to us by God. He wants us to have it, but He doesn’t force us to receive it. He gives each one the opportunity to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, but the final decision is ours.

  May I ask you a question? Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? Would you like to know that your sins have been forgiven? Would you like to know for sure that you have a home awaiting you in Heaven when this life is over?

  Would you bow your head and ask Jesus to be your Savior right now? If your answer is, “Yes”, then let me invite you to pray this prayer or something like it right now.

  “Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner. I deserve to go to hell and pay for my own sins. However, right this moment, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior. The best I know how, I am placing faith in Christ to save me. Please come into my heart, forgive me for my sins, and save me now, Lord Jesus. Thank you for dying to pay for my sins, and thank you for saving my soul! Now, help me to live for you. Amen!”