GOD'S WAY OF SALVATION

Different people pursue heaven in different ways. In the Bible God says that there is only one way to heaven. There is only one way we can be forgiven for our sins. God's way of salvation is the way of faith in Christ. In order to understand why Christ alone is God's way to heaven we need to know what the Bible says about
us and about the sin that separates us all from God.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MAN:

1. All men and women are sinners.

...There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become
worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Romans 3:10-12)
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... (Romans 3:23)

2. Our sin and self-centeredness separates us from God. Our sin makes us God's enemies.

...your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:18)
...you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. (Colossians 1:21)

3. Because of our sin, we cannot save ourselves by means of good works and religion. This is because all our efforts and good works are stained by sin and impure motives.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags... (Isaiah 64:6)
...by observing the law, no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)  

The Bible is clear. All of us are sinful and separated from God. More than that, we are unable to save ourselves from sin and condemnation. All would be hopeless were it not for God. Let's consider what the Bible says about Him.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GOD:

1. God is merciful and does not want to punish us for our sin.
...God is love... (1 John 4:8b)
...The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger,
abounding in love... (Exodus 34:6)

But the same Bible that tells us that God is loving and merciful also teaches us that:

2. God is holy and just. Therefore, He cannot leave sin unpunished.
...I will by no means clear the guilty... (Exodus 34:7b)
...The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished... (Nahum 1:3)

Because God is holy and just, He must punish our sin. Because God is loving and merciful He does not want to punish us. How can God punish our sin without punishing us? The answer is found in Jesus Christ.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JESUS:

1. Jesus is God become man.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:1, 14)
But about the Son (Jesus) he says, "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever... (Hebrews 1:8)

2. Jesus took our place and was punished for all our sins when He died on the cross.
...He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
...the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In the person and work of Jesus, both the love and justice of God are satisfied. By becoming a man, God was able to pay the full penalty for our sin (satisfying His holy justice) so He would not have to punish us (satisfying His merciful love).

After dying on the cross, Christ conquered death and was raised from the grave. He lives today offering eternal life to all who will receive Him!

WHAT WE MUST DO:

We must individually put our faith in Jesus Christ by receiving Him as Lord and Savior. Putting your whole faith in Christ requires the following:

1. TRANSFER YOUR TRUST from what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on His cross.

2. ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR. Open the door of your heart and invite Him in.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him... (Revelation 3:20)

3. RECEIVE CHRIST AS LORD. Give Him the "driver's seat" and "controls" of your life.

4. REPENT. Be willing to turn from anything that is not pleasing to Him. He will reveal His will to you as you grow in your relationship with Him.

You can receive God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ right now. Here's a suggested prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in heaven for me. Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation. I accept the free gift of eternal life. Amen.

If you prayed the above prayer with a sincere heart, you are now God's child. As a new believer you will want to grow in Christ and learn what it means to live for Him. You need a church home where the Bible is taught and where you can enjoy being a part of God's family. We hope that you will visit us here at Intermountain Baptist Church. Our Sunday morning Bible study begins at 9:45 am. Our worship service is at 11:00 am. We are located at 4770 S. 1950 W. in Taylorsville, UT. If you have questions about the above Bible study or what it means to be a follower of Christ, please call us at (801) 969-1593.
God bless you.