What Does It Mean To Be Saved?
God loves you and created you to know Him personally.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3
Your sin keeps you from knowing God personally.
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17
You see, God is holy, just, and perfect and so is His standard of what is right. Sin is our attitude of ignoring or rejecting God. We do what we want to do, not what He wants us to. Therefore, we are condemned and cannot know Him.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23
Because of our sin we deserve death.
Only through Jesus Christ can you know God personally.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18
We deserve death, but Jesus died in our place, paying the penalty for our sins so that we might be forgiven. But, it is not enough just to know all this.
You must personally respond by trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
Receiving Christ means:
Turning to God from your own way of living. This is repentance.
- Trust Christ to forgive your sin as He promised to do. You can do this by praying.
- Let God direct your life and help you to live life His way. This is obedience.
You can repent and trust Christ through prayer.
You may use the following words or your own.
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and my sin separates me from you. Thank you that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross in my place, paying the penalty for my sins. I am sorry for my sins and ask You for Your forgiveness. I invite You to come into my life. I trust You, Jesus, as my personal Savior and Lord. Please begin to direct my life. Thank You for making me one of Your own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now that you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord you will want to know Him better every day. In order to do this you need to find other Christians who will help you grow. Join a local Church where you can learn what is in the Bible. Read the Bible and go to God daily in prayer.