how to receive

THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION

Since ancient days, people have searched for a spiritual solution to quell the deep anxiety that cannot be satisfied by this physical world. We were created with a body, soul, and spirit, and deep down, we KNOW we were created for a supernatural purpose. [Human Design]

Physical needs (like being thirsty) require a physical solution; and spiritual needs require a spiritual solution. If we try to satisfy our spiritual need with a physical solution—we may get a temporary fix, but in the end it just makes us even more anxious. It’s much like if I get drunk because I’ve lost my job—it temporarily removes the problem from my mind but it doesn’t solve the deeper reason for my anxiety. [Anxiety Mechanism]

We all believe in something. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even get out of bed in the morning. We ALL place our hope in something that we believe will satisfy us and take away our anxiety. Without hope we would die. Everyone has an opinion about which “something” deserves our ultimate hope. [Poles of Influence]

But what does God's Word say about how to find ultimate satisfaction? 

According to God’s Word, ultimate satisfaction comes from a relationship with Him. Because God is a Spirit, we cannot have a relationship with Him unless our spirit is alive. But, because of WHO God is—righteous, just, and loving—we can only come to God HIS way. [characteristics of God] Many try to come to God on their own terms, but the god they are seeking is not the God of the Bible. Jesus said that to know God, we must be “born again.” This is a spiritual birth; and it allows us to perceive spiritual matters so that the things of God become real, meaning

We are all either spiritually alive or spiritually dead.

The first time we chose to sin, which means to behave contrary to God’s righteous standards, our spirit died. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6:23).‬ According to the Bible, everyone has sinned. “None is righteous, no not one!” (Romans 3:10) When we choose to sin (even just once), we die spiritually. We are still physically alive, but we’re spiritually dead. You see, much like the physical law of gravity, there is a spiritual law called “the law of sin and death.” [law of sin and death] The physical laws teach us about the spiritual laws. So, if you jump off a tall building there are physical consequences (injury or death); and, when you sin, your spirit dies. You can’t pick and choose which physical laws will apply to you; and the same is true with God’s laws. However, the consequences of breaking spiritual laws are far greater! When we break God’s spiritual law, we die spiritually, and there is nothing WE can do to bring ourselves back to life—just like a physically dead person can’t jump-start his own heart.

Salvation

In other words, no PHYSICAL "good works" can bridge the SPIRITUAL abyss created by our sin. 

The Bible makes our NEED for God’s grace [undeserved intervention] very plain: “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) So, if you can NEVER be good enough, what is the answer to this horrible condemnation situation? Ah—there is Jesus, He paid the price for our sin to reconcile us to God. He took our place so we could be free: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) Jesus made a way to get us off spiritual death row! “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)

nail-through-hand

In unfathomable love, the nail-scarred hands of Jesus extend the priceless gift of salvation to anyone who will believe in Him and accept Him as Savior and LORD.

Huge caveat: Many want Jesus as their Savior but not their LORD because while they want to AVOID the consequences of sin—they also HOLD ONTO their sinful lifestyle.

But if God is drawing you to be born again, He is also giving you a genuine desire to forsake sin and turn to Him. This is called “repentance.” If you are being drawn towards God, you are necessarily being drawn away from the sin that separated you from Him and condemned you!

When you believe in Jesus as your Lord AND Savior, you are “born again,” that is, your spirit is made alive and is reconciled with God.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

When you surrender everything to Christ as your Savior and Lord, you possess everlasting life.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

The minute you are born again, you PRESENTLY possess everlasting life.

Your spiritual genetics are changed and you are “in Christ.” This is an everlasting transaction. It cannot be undone. My children will always have my genetics and once you are born again, your spirit will always have the genetics of Christ.

If you are reading this simple Gospel message and you feel the power of God drawing you to Himself, that is because the Bible says that the Gospel is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) God cannot lie, so you can ask Him, believing in FULL CONFIDENCE that He will do what He promised. [We often plop down in an old chair with more confidence than we believe in God!] There is no universal prayer to accept Christ, because this is a transaction of the heart. It’s like saying “I do” at the altar on your wedding day. But if you need some guidance, a simple prayer would be,

"Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I SURRENDER my whole heart to you. I BELIEVE Your Word. I TRUST You to save me and give me everlasting life. I ACCEPT You as my Lord and Savior. Thank you!" 

If you ask God with full confidence, His peace and assurance will come into your heart! This is the beginning of your relationship with God. The journey is your life. It’s not easy—life never is. It wasn’t for Jesus either.

But, because your spirit is now “alive in Christ” you are empowered to live a victorious and satisfied life. Your greatest source of anxiety has been satisfied—eternally. Although that spiritual bond will never be broken, you still have enemies (the devil, the flesh, and this world system) who will work overtime to rob you of God’s peace. That’s why it’s important to be constantly working on your relationship with God!