How to be Saved-the Good News!
The GOOD NEWS (the Gospel) is that it is very EASY to be saved from your sins and spend eternity with God. God came down to this earth 2,000 years ago and took upon Himself the form of a man. That man was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14; 1st Timothy 3:16). Literally, the GODHEAD became incarnate (Colossians 2:9–King James Bible).
Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus never sinned even once (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus died, was buried and rose again after three days (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus shed His precious blood to pay for all our sins (Colossians 1:14; 1st Peter 1:18,19), and applied that blood to the Mercyseat in Heaven (Hebrews 9:12, 24-26).
Jesus is the Savior (i.e., the Christ) who paid for our sins. If you realize that you’re a guilty sinner (and thus need a Savior, this is biblical repentance), then you simply need to believe on Jesus to have your sins forgiven. All God the Father asks is that we come for salvation through His Son, Jesus.
Acts 20:21 states: “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repentance and faith are inseparable. Repentance is simply a change of mind that involves turning to Jesus Christ to be forgiven of one’s sins. The words “believe” and “believeth” appear 85-times in the Gospel of John; but the word “repent” isn’t mentioned even once. Obviously, the person who believes has repented.
Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin, and comes to God on the basis of being a hell-deserving sinner; believing on Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, for forgiveness. Acts 10:43 states: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Jesus Came to Save Sinners!
You may pray if you’d like, but you don’t have to. Salvation is of the heart (Romans 10:10). If you’d like to pray, simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and tell Him that you’re trusting Him as your Savior.
It matters not exactly what you pray, just as long as you realize these two main truths:
1. You are a guilty sinner under the condemnation of God’s Law! (Repentance)
2. Jesus is the Savior who shed His blood to take away your sins! (Faith)
Belief on the Lord Jesus Christ involves both repentance and faith. Genuine repentance leads to saving faith.
You might pray something like this…
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a Hell-deserving sinner. I believe that you are the Son of God, the Savior, who shed your blood to pay for my sins. I now believe upon You as my personal Savior, and ask you to please forgive me of all my sins. Please save me and take me to Heaven when I die. Amen.
Remember, salvation is NOT a prayer, although you may prayer a sinner’s prayer, like the one above, to help you express your heart’s faith in Jesus. We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is credited to our account at the time of salvation. This is the IMPUTED righteousness of Jesus Christ…
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
This is the Good News! We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus, because of the blood that He sacrificed for our sins. Our part is only to believe.
Salvation is not a matter of praying some special words. The publican merely cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” The thief on the cross simply asked Jesus to “remember” him, and Jesus most certainly did. It was their faith in Christ and not their words, that brought salvation. Both men acknowledged their guilt of sin and turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. There is nothing “magic” about the words you pray, it is your faith (trust) upon Jesus Christ that brings salvation. It is your faith that causes you to call upon Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to Heaven. God wants to save you more than you could ever want to be saved (2nd Peter 3:9).
Salvation is very simple—we are sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Anyone who believes on the name of Jesus for salvation becomes a part of God’s family (Romans 10:13; Galatians 3:26). Eternal life is a free gift—freely given and freely received. Salvation is receiving; not giving. Our part is to acknowledge our guilt of sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
You see friend, there is no religion involved here, ONLY Jesus. The big issue is that we are all sinners, and that sin MUST be dealt with. The Word of God indicts all of us as guilty sinners. Jesus wants to be our Attorney and set us free. You must accept God’s plea-agreement in Christ Jesus, or stand trial at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Thankfully, God offers us a full pardon by way of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Amen!
SOURCE: Pastor Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: What Is The Gospel?