John 3 v16- 17; SALVATION: What is it ?

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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world, through Him might be saved. Salvation is the all inclusive word meaning forgiveness of one's sins, Saved from the bondage and power of satan. Saved from sickness .and poverty and quilt. Deliverance from the wrath of God, land saved from an eternity in hell, it also includes many other things, some of which will now be reviewed. Salvation comes from God who planned it Christ who procured it and the Holy Spirit who proffers it to sinners. Romans 5 V8; But God commanded His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us . .Titus 1 v2; in hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Rejection of this priceless gift, which is contained in Jesus, is made more terrible when we consider the price God had to pay for it, and all that Jesus had to suffer to procure Salvation with all its facets, for us. John 19 vl-3; vl5-18; Right from the beginning of time Scripture shows us that man had to sacrifice a lamb when ever he committed a sin that separated him from God. There are prophecies also they tell of a coming Saviour Isaiah 7 vl4; Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign, Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.(God with us. ) Read also Matthew 1 vI8-23; So here as seen in John 3 vl6-17, God kept His promise and in due time the Saviour promised was born and there came a day when He was to start out on His ministry of reconciling man to God, John the Baptist was paving the way for Jesus and said to two of John's disciples, John I v29, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. So Jesus began His ministry and in Acts 2 v2l; And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved, Saved from the wrath of God for our sins separate us from God If we choose to reject God's gift of forgiveness (Jesus and continue to live in sin, then we choose our own destiny. Revelation 14 v9-11; (v11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name, So the first requirement for our salvation is to repent of our sins and turn from them to God. Romans 2 v3l32; Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection,. implacable, unmerciful who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do the same. lsaiah 53 v6 ; All we like sheep have gone. astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Everybody struggles with guilt for a time. What makes a difference is how we deal with our conscience, Guilt repressed can cause pain sickness, depression, anger, unforgiveness and continued sin. Then we need to confess our sins to God with faith in His Word. 1 John I v9; If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Acts 4 vl2; Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Romans 3 v23; For all have sinned and come 'short of the glory of God; Just a short simple verse that says we re all sinners and fail to come up to Christ's standards. It takes only one lie to make a liar and it takes only one sin to make a sinner. Isaiah 53 v6; All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way. Isaiah 59 v2; your iniquities, sins have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid His

face from you. The one whom you are hoping to lead to Jesus Christ needs to admit that he or she know they are sinners in God's sight, because they have sinned so many times over the years. There are the sins of commission, sins which we actually committed, and the sins of omission, that which God wanted us to do and in disobeying Him we sinned against Him. When we keep on sinning it changes our personality and character, setting up reactions that result in unwanted consequences. Genesis 4 v7. God says to Cain, If you do well shall you not be accepted, and if you do not well, sin lieth at the door. What You need to do. REPENT: Acts 3 vl9, Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Luke 13 v3; Except you repent you shall all likewise perish Isaiah 55 v7; Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him and to our God for He will abundantly pardon. 2 Chronicles 7 vl4; If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2, Romans 6 v23; For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Again just a short verse which is very much to the point. As a servant of satan we do his bidding and reject the gift-of salvation offered us by God. The wages of our sins means separation from God which means we are choosing to join satan when he is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Psalm 9 vl7; The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God. Matthew 35 v32-46; V41; Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. v46; And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal. Revelation 14 v9-11; And the third angel followed them saying with a. loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name Revelation 20 vl2-15; But the gift of God; To all who will acknowledge that in God's sight you are a sinner, and will repent and ask God's forgiveness, He will forgive you, and give you eternal life in Jesus Christ , The gift of God is the Lord Jesus Christ who alone can save you from the torments of hell. Acts 4 vl2; Neither is salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. John I vl2; But as many as. received -Him to them gave He power to become the sons (and daughters ) of God, even-to them-that-believe on His name. Romans 8 vl; There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.: Acts 16 v3l; Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. This gift of forgiveness and salvation cannot be bought or earned, it is offered to us by God because of His love for the sinner but not the sins committed against Him. John 3 vl6-17; 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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. SO THE GOOD NEWS: Jesus saves you from the disaster of hell and reconciles you with God, and brings you into the family of God. But we need to reach out and receive this gift that God is offering us. How is this done ? Revelation 3 v2O; This verse is frequently used to help further explain ,how to receive Jesus Christ into

your life Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man (or woman ) hear My voice and open the door, I will come into Him and sup with him and he with He. Christ knocks at the door of your heart each time you go to a church meeting or hear the Word of God. All you have to do is to ask Him to take control of your life and turn your back on satan and his way of life. As we do this we know that God, through the Lord Jesus Christ has completely forgiven all past sins and we have become members of His family. Psalm 32 v5 ; I acknowledged my sin unto Thee and mine iniquity I have not hid. I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 103 v3; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases. Jeremiah 36 v3; It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them. that they may return every man from his evil way that I may forgive, their iniquity and their sin. Our God loves us so much that He paid such a price to redeem us. WHAT DOES GOD DO WITH OUR SINS ? It is important to understand that when God forgives us He also forgets those sins as well.. Isaiah,38 vl7; For Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back. Isaiah 43-v25; 1, even I am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake and will not remember thy sins. Psalm 104 vl2. As far as the East is from the West so far has tie removed our transgressions from us. Jeremiah 31 v34b; ... for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more. Acts 3 vl9. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sin may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. I John 1 v9; If we confess our sin He Is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Salvation is a spiritual rebirth, being born again. John 3 vl-7. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is not something but someone. .Jesus Christ. Isaiah 12 v2; The Lord Jehovah is become my salvation. Forgiveness of our sins is made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our access to and reconciliation with God is only through Jesus. All the wonderful gifts and blessings given us are through the sheer love and grace of God. Salvation includes so many things which the new Christian the born again, believes and receives when he or she repents of sin, confesses it to God and asks forgiveness, then asks Jesus to take control of their lives. The Holy Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are the family of God. So what does it mean to be saved ? Firstly we become reconciled to God. Romans 5 V1O;. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. We have access to the Father; John 14 v6; I am the way the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. Access into God's family; Galatians 4 v5; To redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons. So in access to God we can come to Him in prayer and praise and .make our requests known to Him in the name of Jesus. We can now have regular fellowship with God. As members of His family we have a place prepared for us in heaven, and we will meet again those loved ones of ours who have died in Christ. John 14 vl-3; Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, 1 will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you may be also. Heirs of God. Romans 8 vl7. And if children then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. As members of God's family we share in all the blessings and gifts that God pours out generously to all who

love Him. I Coriinthians 2 v9; We have a citizenship in heaven. Philippians 3 v2O; For our conversation (Citizenship ) is in heaven, from when also we look for .the Saviour. 1 Thessalonions 4 vl3-18; We become new creatures in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5 v7. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.. Our old way of life,(like the prodigal son,) should now be changed with a new walk into Christianity and discipleship with Jesus Christ. Communication with God. Romans 8 v26. John 16 v23; Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. what a wonderful privilege we have in being able to talk to God and praise and worship Him. We become servants of God. (instead of satan.) Romans 6,v22; But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life.. We are of God. 1 Peter 2 v 9 ; But you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood we have the privilege of serving God and preaching and teaching the Word of God to the unsaved and fellow Christians... Sanctification in Christ. Set apart for a holy purpose Corin.6 v9-11. (vl1 and such some of you. 1 Corinthians 6 v 9-11 ; but you are washed, but you are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God makes us holy and then sets out a purpose for each member of His family as we go out into the world to be a light in the darkness. To let the unsaved see that we are genuine followers of Jesus Christ. We are justified. Romans 5 vl; in whom we have redemption in Hs blood. Read again I Corinthians 6 v9-11; In whom we have all sins pardoned and forgotten. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and set us free from satan's power over us. Justified, just as if I had never sinned. a gracious God. 1 Peter 1 vl8 and 19; For as much as you know you were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Jesus. . We have peace with God. Philippians 4 v7. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus John 14 v27; My peace I leave with you My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Isaiah 26 v3; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee. A new relationship with Jesus Christ. John 15 vl5; Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But 1 have called you friends .... It is God's desire that we should be blessed, have peace of mind even when we have some tribulations to pass through. God has said, 1 will never leave you nor forsake you. John 15 vll; These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that .your joy might be full. Our names are written in heaven. Luke 10 v2O; Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Philippians 4 v3; Fellow labourers whose names are written in the book of life. We have eternal life. John 18 V18; And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. John 3 vl6. For God so loved the world that lie gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We shall be raised up from the dead. Read 1 Thessalonians 4 vl3-18 sealed by the Holy Spirit; Ephesians 1 vl3; in whom after that you believed you were sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God. indwelt by the Holy Spirit; John 14 vl6; And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter that lie may abide with you for ever. As we move along the Christian highway we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit to use to glorify God and bring the lost to Jesus and heal the sick. Our character should show the fruit of our Christian living. Galatians 5 v22-23; These and so much more are available to the new born believer. our salvation comes about from a sincere

desire to turn away from our old sinfull way of life, confess our sin to God who will forgive us, and to ask Jesus Christ to take control of our lives. it is a complete change in our way of life . The Holy Spirit seals the believer as a child of God and heaven rejoices. Luke 15 v7. I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. But what happens to the sinner who rejects Jesus Christ as Saviour and Redeemer ? Read Roman I v2l-32 and see the wrath of God upon the sinner. Genesis 6 v3 says, My spirit shall not always strive with man. Romans 2 v6; Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Romans l4 vl2; So then every man shall give an account of himself to God. Hebrews 2 v3; How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Romans 6 v23a. For the wages of sin is death separation from God.