Salvation is a very simple, but incredibly profound status-change for your life. This change is centered around God's unconditional love for the world, and His desire for our sins to be reconciled. To see this love in action, God sent His only Son into the world to live among mankind, die on the cross, and rise from the dead.

Through His death, God offers forgiveness for your sins. Through His resurrection, we see the promise of everlasting life. While this is powerful enough for the entire world, God will not force you to receive this gift. The only way to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is to accept His offer of forgiveness and everlasting life.

The following Scripture passages will walk you through the entire story.

MAN IS SINFUL
“...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
Romans 3:23

Though you might try, and you may think you are "good enough," in truth, no one is perfect. Every person's life has been tainted by sin in one way or another.

SIN HAS A PENALTY
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23

That sinfulness means that we do not meet God's minimal standards. By ourselves, we cannot be worthy and the result of that is spiritual death; or separation from God forever. Fortunately, God did not allow our story to end there.

 GOD’S LOVE IS REVEALED

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16

In response to our separation from God, He sent His Son Jesus. He did this because God loves His creation and wants to make our lives full and complete. This is not only an abundant life here and now, but also for a life which is eternal.

CHRIST PAID THE PENALTY
“...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8

God loves you even in your sin. Christ came to die a death in your place and to pay the penalty for your sin. He did that so that you may be reconciled to Him.

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace means undeserved favor. God graciously offers to you what you could never do for yourself. God’s gift to you is free. You do not, and cannot, work for a gift. All you need to do is receive it. Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you to provided deliverance from your sins.

WE MUST RECEIVE CHRIST
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..."
John 1:12

When you receive Christ by accepting what He has done for you, you become an adopted child of God. He is waiting to be received into your life.

RECEIVE CHRIST NOW
You can invite Jesus Christ into your life right now. Although there is no special prayer required of us, it might help you to pray to God something like the following:

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that Christ died in my place to pay the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead. I accept the offer for Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for making me Your child. Help me to surrender every part of my life as a response to Your love. In Jesus' name, amen.

PROMISES FROM THE WORD OF GOD
“For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'.”
Romans 10:13

If you just now received Christ by calling upon the name of the Lord in prayer, the following took place: your sins were forgiven (Colossians 1:14); you became an adopted child of God (John 1:12); you were made heir to all of God’s blessings (Romans 8:16-17); you now possess everlasting life (1 John 5:12-13).

You became a Christian the moment that you received Christ. Don’t only trust your feelings, for they will change; but take God at His Word and believe His promises. Review the above passages whenever doubts arise. You can always say with confidence,” I have received Christ, and by the authority of God’s Word, I know I have eternal life.”

If you have questions or would like to talk with a pastor, call the church at (309) 699-6768 or email us at office@visitcrosspoint.com