The great story of salvation can be told in four words. Those words are these: Sin, Calvary, Faith, and Life. When we really see Jesus and see ourselves, we will see our need for Him. When we repent and put our faith in Him, we can live.
1. Sin - Salvation is needed.
Romans 3:23 -"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Isaiah 53:6 -"All we like sheep have gone astray; we turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
Ezekiel 18:4 -"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."
Romans 6:23 -"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Do you realize that there is something missing in your life and that there is a haunting emptiness within your life? The problem is sin because we are apart from God.
2. Calvary - Salvation is provided.
1 Peter 2:24 -"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
Isaiah 53:5 -"But He(Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed."
2 Corinthians 5:21 -"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
John 3:16 -"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…"
Know why God gave so much, even His Son? Because He wanted you to be His child. God Himself provided the way for you to have eternal life and a reason to live…hope.
3. Faith---Salvation is offered.
Ephesians 2:8 -"For by grace(God’s favor) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Romans 10:9-10 -"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 with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
John 3:16 -"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him…"
To believe is not to just give mental assent, but to commit one’s life to the leadership of the Lord. Faith is preeminently trust. Trust that leads to commitment.
4. Life---Salvation accepted.
Romans 6:23 -"…gift of God is eternal life."
John 3:16 -"…whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
1 John 5:12 -"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
John 10:27-28 -"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand."
John 10:10 -"…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
My friend, it is so obvious from these scriptures that to accept Jesus personally as your Savior is to immediately have life…real life. Would you repent (ask God to forgive you and turn from your sin) and accept the death of Jesus for you personally today? What a difference He makes. You can then have peace and joy in your heart. Because He lives, and lives in you, you don’t have to fear death or what may happen tomorrow. God Bless!
Malcom Hester, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Harrogate, TN 37752
