Salvation

The New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world,

Matthew 26:28 (KJV) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

Jesus shed his blood on Calvary’s cross because we are sinners and it is sin that separates us from God. Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; also, Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

 

After we have heard the word of God, our heart (our mind) has a decision to make. Do we continue in sin, or do we change and turn from sin? After this repentance, we acknowledge before men that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37 (KJV) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.).

 

To be saved, we must “Put on” Christ. Galatians 3:27 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Through baptism, we contact the saving blood of Jesus. Baptism is a conscious response to a penitent heart.

 

At this point we are buried with Christ in baptism. We rise from that water grave to walk in “Newness of Life” (Romans 6:4 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.). At this point our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16 (KJV) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.).

 

Once a person has obeyed that “Form of Doctrine”, they are now a Christian. Romans 6:17 (KJV) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. We begin our journey to eternity with God.

 

Will we ever sin again? Yes we will, but if we strive to follow God and the teaching of the bible, the blood of Jesus will keep us secure (1 John 1:7 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.).

 

Will we be tempted? Yes, but if we are walking in the light God, he will help us to avoid those temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it).

 

Can we “fall from Grace”? Yes, but only if we decide to depart from God’s plan and no longer keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.).