Receiving Salvation: The Myths About A True Relationship with Christ
Receiving Christ as your personal Savior
Salvation in Jesus Christ is one of the greatest privileges any person can experience. For salvation is free.
There is nothing you can do to earn salvation. It is a gift from God. However, an individual must be willing to open his or her heart up to this awesome gift and accept the Lord Jesus. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.
Because of Christ’s obedience, we have been given a way to the throne of grace. This is something that Jesus has made available for us through his death, burial and resurrection. There is no amount of money that can pay for this gift, without forgiveness, all that we worked for earns us nothing in Christ. Roman 6:23 states that "For the wages of sin is death, but the free reward from God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB). It is then discussed in Ephesians 2: 8 that states "for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (NASB)
So often many have confused salvation with the following myths:
Myth 1: Becoming a member of a church saves me.
Truth: While membership of a local church is important and required; we don’t want you to confuse church membership with salvation. It is important that one understands the importance of having status with God and not just a membership with a local church. Luke 10: 20 (KJV) states: Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your name is written in heaven. However, once you become a Christian it is absolutely essential to become a part of a local assembly and become involved with the local church activities.
Myth 2: Being successful and having nice things places you in right relationship with God.
Truth: Luke 16:19-31 (KJV) Here lies the story of Lazarus and the rich man. [25] 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. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' This scripture depicts many today who believe that one’s success constitutes pleasure with God. This has been a great myth for so long and it so far from the truth. Mark 8: 36 (KJV) states: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? All of your possessions in the world can’t purchase your salvation. You must confess with your mouth and accept the Lord as your personal savior. This is the only way you can be saved.
Myth 3: Baptism places you in right relationship with Christ.
Truth: Baptism is something God requires all Christians to do once they've accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.
The purpose of doing this is to be one with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. However, baptism will not change your status with Christ if you have not first confessed your sins before God.
Myth 4: Salvation can be inherited from your parents
Truth: Everyone must confess; Ps 51: 5. Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. We all came
into this world in the same state. We were or are sinners who need a savior. Your loved ones salvation does not give you a rite of passage. Without your personal confession you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. This is why our lives regardless of how shameful, it is nothing to fall into guilt over. Romans 3:23 (NASB) states: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory to God”. This is the expressed reason why Jesus Christ died on the cross for yours and my sins. Because of Christ's love for us he endured the shame on the cross for our sakes. Now we have the freedom to come to Christ and accept him into our lives. But no-one can do this for you. You have to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. Then you can be saved. For just as all have sinned; all must confess and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. For He is the way, the truth and the life; no-one can come to the Father but by Him.
So today, the choice is yours. What decision will you make? The most important decision you will ever make in your life is to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. There is no greater decision and no greater benefit. Salvation is not as hard as many make it. All it takes is a confession and a true desire to let the Lord into your heart to live the life free from sin and shame. Choose you this day who you may serve.
So I hope you have a clear understanding of what salvation is and what it is not. Today, you can make the choice to serve God. I would love to be there to lead you to Christ. However, receiving Christ does not require a public display of your faith as much as the confession that comes from your heart. You can receive Christ right where you are. In your bedroom, in your living room, right where you stand; God is no respect of person and he is not strict on where you choose to ask him to come into your heart. God hears the cry of a sinner who is asking for salvation and he will hear your cry when you choose to repent and ask God to come into your life. The Bible says, “today, when you hear my voice, harden not your heart, I challenge you to surrender to God and allow Him to come into your heart. If you are ready, I’ve provided a prayer that you can pray on your own and you will be saved.
Sample Prayer of Salvation
Lord Jesus, I need you. cleanse me and make me brand new. I believe in my heart that you are the Son of God, and
that God has raised you from the dead. I ask you Lord Jesus to forgive me of my sins. Thank you for forgiving me of all the sins I’ve ever committed. Thank you now for coming into my heart. Thank you for becoming my Lord and my Savior. I confess you today as the Lord of my life.
If you made this confession, you are now a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things have passed away and all things have become new! Before God, your slate has been wiped totally clean and you are brand new! Thank God for a new beginning, you have entered a new day in your life.
What Just happened?
What you have just done, is repented. Repentance means, a complete change of mind. Over the course of time and throughout the rest of your life, you will begin to feel your heart changing for more of the things of God. In fact, right now you may realize some of your joy for what you've just done and your desire to really begin a new walk in Christ Jesus. While we would love to tell you this is easy, we would be deceiving you. Salvation is a free but sanctification is a process. Some things may be easy to turn away from while other things may be more difficult. Therefore, I encourage you to get connected with others that you know are Christians and who are striving to live for God. I want you to know that no-one is perfect. You will make mistakes along the way, but God is faithful and just to forgive you of all your sins as you recognize your wrong doings and your willingness to repent. You are now a new creature in Christ Jesus; old things have passed away and behold all things become new. There will be days that you won’t feel saved, but understand that salvation is not a feeling, but it's by faith your are saved. Others may try to discourage you and make you feel that it can’t happen this easily. Remember, there is nothing you could have done to earn salvation for you are not saved by works, but it is only by the grace of God.
Follow-up:
Now that you’ve confessed Christ it’s important to understand as stated in Romans 8: 1, there is therefore now no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus. In many cases you will experience the enemy and maybe your friends who will try to remind you of your past. They will try to make you feel guilty for the sins you committed in your past. However, you have to remind yourself of Romans 8:1 that God no longer holds your past against you, because you have confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior. John 8: 32 (NASB) “states and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
Freedom to Live Ministries Church offers New Life Ministry Discipleship Class. This ministry is a 7-week class that disciples you in the foundational truths of God's word. This class will help you grasp a greater understanding about salvation, repentance, prayer, the Holy Spirit and many more basic subjects. It is designed for those who never received sound biblical teaching about salvation and the basic bible teachings of how to live a victorious Christian life. This class will provide the necessary tools required for your personal spiritual growth and a mature walk in God. I would encourage you to consider joining us for this class. This class is free to the public but requires registration. There is no church membership requirement to attend this class. It is important, once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior to find a good bible based teaching church that provides this kind of teaching for you. It’s important that you immediately lock into a good church and receive foundational teaching to help you on your new life's journey. This teaching can help you in your development and growth in God. Please consider joining us. We look forward to serving you.
or more information regarding our New Life Discipleship Class contact us at:
Freedom to Live Ministries
Pastors Larry and Kelly Jennings
1040 C E. Hwy 54
Fayetteville, GA 30214
ftlministry@gmail.com
404-419-6408
I desire to know more about salvation and your discipleship class at your church.
