Everyone feels an inner call for something greater – a desire for truth and a more meaningful purpose. At ABC, our desire is to help you discover this deeper truth found in the lasting love and selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Recognize Our Condition
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Reflecting sincerely on our lives we realize our lost state. This awareness is the crucial first step towards redemption. Our daily mistakes, like telling a hurried lie, harboring jealously towards others, or hating someone for their differing views, aren’t just minor errors. They highlight a deeper issue – our natural tendency towards sin, which disconnects us from God. These flaws and failures are common to all in our shared human nature and inclination to sin (Romans 3:23).
Sin is a serious matter. It does more than create a gap between us and a Holy God; it has profound consequences. Romans 6:23 states that the wages of sin is death, while Revelation 20:15 warns that those not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. Without intervention, our sins lead to eternal separation from God. However, this sobering truth doesn’t seal our fate.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
By acknowledging our imperfections, we begin a journey towards redemption and grace. This isn’t about giving in to despair; it’s about awakening to a hopeful new beginning, brimming with the promise of salvation. Understanding our sinful consequences doesn’t lead us to condemnation; instead, it’s the first step towards experiencing God’s endless love and forgiveness.
Religion and Good Works Are Not the Answer
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Many try to reach God by doing good deeds or following religious rituals. But, no matter how well-intentioned, these efforts can’t overcome the great divide caused by sin. Our ideas and actions are inadequate before a just and Holy God. As Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). Our own solutions are insufficient; it’s only through God’s grace, not our achievements, that we can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Good News: Jesus Christ Provides the Way!
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God loves us deeply and unconditionally, in a profound display of this love and compassion, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge the gap between us and Him. Jesus, in perfect love and obedience, took upon Himself all our sins, suffered, and ultimately died on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). This act was not just a moment of sorrow but the beginning of victory. Three days after dying, Jesus rose from the dead, proving His power over sin and death (Luke 24:6-7) and affirming the truth He lived and taught.
The resurrection of Jesus means that the price of our sins is completely paid, and death is not the end. We can now embrace eternal life, a gift of hope and redemption (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). His sacrifice and triumph pave a straightforward and open path to salvation for all. By believing in Jesus’s death and resurrection, we accept God’s gift of redemption and forgiveness, securing our place with Him eternally. It’s an invitation to a life-changing relationship, rich in love and filled with promise.
Believe and Receive Jesus Christ as Your Redeemer
Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Embracing salvation goes beyond just agreeing in your mind; it’s a complete surrender and trust in Jesus Christ alone for redemption. It’s an opportunity to leave our past behind and step into a new life of grace and hope. As Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This isn’t just a promise; it’s God’s assurance to everyone who seeks Him earnestly.
At this crucial turning point, the journey to embrace God’s gift of salvation starts with a heartfelt prayer, a personal talk with God. This prayer reflects the promise in Romans 10:9-10: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Using Romans 10:9-10 as a guide for moving forward, this could be an example prayer of salvation (redemption):
Dear God, I come before You acknowledging and confess that I am a sinner, and I understand that my sins deserve the just consequence of eternal separation from You in hell. With humility, I want to repent and turn to you for salvation! I believe, that Jesus Christ bore the weight of my sins upon the cross and triumphed over death through His resurrection. I place my faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the complete and final payment for my sins. Please, forgive me and lead me into a new life with a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer of redemption marks the start of a remarkable new beginning, being “born again” into a relationship with Jesus.
Redemption is the Beginning of a Life Transformed through Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Recognizing Jesus Christ as your Redeemer transcends mere acknowledgment of beliefs. It’s an intimate, transformative journey that reshapes every facet of your existence. True faith in Jesus is not just an intellectual assent but a profound, heartfelt commitment that revolutionizes your lifestyle, steering you away from your past towards a life filled with new aspirations and purpose (John 14:6, James 2:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17). It prompts an introspective query: Do you genuinely embrace Jesus Christ with all your heart, beyond mere cognitive acceptance?
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that our salvation isn’t the fruit of our deeds or religious formalities; it’s a divine gift bestowed through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith inaugurates a profound, personal transformation, underscoring that our deeds, aren’t the pathway to salvation but rather the reflection of a heart genuinely transformed by faith.
If you’ve taken this step of faith, or are still considering it, we invite you to Arlington Baptist Church. Here, you can learn more, grow in faith with others, and find a supportive community. Whether you have questions, seek a deeper understanding, or need guidance about salvation and your relationship with God, we are here to help. Join us on this journey of redemption, hope, grace, and God’s never-ending love.