How to be saved
1. God loves you.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Ephesians 2:4-5
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved;"
Because of God's love for all people, He desires that you have unbroken fellowship with Him. God wants you to know Him.
2. You are a sinner.
Romans 3:10
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
All people are "sinners" in that they disobey God. Sin is choosing to go your own way and do your own thing as opposed to being obedient to God. Psalm 7:11 tells us that God is "angry with the wicked every day."
3. Sin separates you from God.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
Sin forms a barrier that prevents you from entering into unbroken fellowship with God, Who is holy. As an unholy sinner, you can't have a relationship with God. The penalty for your sin is death and separation from God. You are headed for a Christ-less eternity that the Bible calls Hell. It is a real place that the Bible describes as darkness and burning, and there is no escape once you're there. (Luke 16:26)
4. You can't save yourself.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Titus 3:5 • Romans 4:4-5
People often think that through their efforts they can overcome the sin barrier between themselves and God. That isn't true. There's nothing you can do to restore the broken relationship with God. You can't earn God's salvation.
5. God sent His son Jesus to remove the sin barrier.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast."
1 Peter 2:23 • Romans 5:8 • 2 Corinthians 5:21 • Romans 10:9
What you cannot do for yourself, Jesus Christ has done for you! Your sin is a barrier between you and God. But the Good News is that Jesus died on the cross for you, He took the penalty of death and the wrath of God in your place, and then rose from the dead to demonstrate that His payment was acceptable to God. By taking your punishment on Himself, Jesus made a way for you to have a relationship with God.
6. You can receive Jesus Christ through faith.
John 14:6 • Acts 16:31 • Romans 10:9-10
Faith is trusting in what Jesus has done for you rather than trusting your own efforts to restore fellowship with God. Faith is complete reliance on Christ to put you in right relationship with God, allowing Him to live His life through you. Faith also involves repentance or genuine sorrow for sin and willingness to turn away from sin.
7. Through confession, you can trust in Jesus Christ.
Confess to God that you are a sinner. Express sorrow and repent of your sin. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Confess that you believe the Lord that He indeed came and died in your place. Invite Jesus Christ into your life as Savior and Lord. Commit yourself to live for Him.