HOW TO BE SAVED

compiled by Bro. Chuck A. Louviere

There are many ways people try to get to heaven to be with God. Some try to buy their way, others work their way. Some think if they are basically a good person or go to church they'll go to heaven. But, all of these bridges that people try to build fall short and we are sti.ll separated from God. You see, there is a gap between God and mankind and it's called sin. Because of sin we are kept from God. The Bible says:

WAGES

Wages are something that you get for something that you've done. It's kind of like a paycheck. We all earn wages from God on our lives and we all will get paid one day.

SIN

Sin is like breaking the rules. There is a way things are supposed to be done. God has established many guidelines for our lives. Sin is bad and evil. It's like missing the mark. We could do much better, but choose not to.

DEATH

Death is the penalty for sin. Because we all have sinned, we all shall die. Look at the local cemetery to see if people are still dying. This physical death is only one part of this sentence though. If you separate yourself from God in this life then the same will be true if you were to die. That would truly be sad to be eternally separated from God and Heaven. Spiritually, we are all dead and on our way to Hell.

BUT

The WAGES of SIN is DEATH BUT... This word is very important. It shows us that there is another side to what has already been said. Were it not for this word being here, all hope would be lost for us. We would be eternally separated from God.

GIFT

Wages are receiving for what we have done. A GIFT is just the opposite. It has been paid for by someone else. You might call it a FREEBIE. Something very important has been purchased for us and it could be ours if we would just accept it.

GOD

Just as a GIFT is opposite of WAGES, notice that GOD is opposite of SIN. He is totally righteous and holy. God loves you and has a special gift to give you even though you are separated from Him by your sin.

ETERNAL LIFE

Just as DEATH is separation from God forever, ETERNAL LIFE is being able to be with God in Heaven forever. You can be DEAD spiritually even though you are alive physically. You can also be ALIVE spiritually and spend eternity in Heaven with God if you accept His free GIFT. How can you get God's free GIFT?

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

As I said before, people try many ways to get to Heaven. The Bible tells us that there is only one way to get this GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE and it is THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. You must realize that He is the only way to get to Heaven. He's the one who paid for the GIFT by dying for your sins. His blood that was shed can clean you up like a bar of spiritual soap making your heart and life new. Now, whether you choose to take this gift is up to you. What do you have to do to receive it?

LORD

Jesus Christ must be your LORD. That means He must have total control of your life. What He says, you will do. Where He sends, you will go. You must surrender all that you have and all that you are to Him. Now, knowing this is not enough. Many people have come this far, but that's not far enough. How do I make Jesus my Lord?

A.B.C.

A. ADMIT TO BEING A SINNER:

Step number one is to accept the fact that there is a problem. I'm a sinner and I can't change it by myself. There are things in my life that are wrong and I want to make them right. I must agree with God and the Bible that I'm a sinner, on my way to Hell, and I want to be rescued.

B. BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST:

He died for me and was raised from the dead so that I can be SAVED (Rom. 10:9). If He didn't do this, my sins could not be forgiven. Because of Christ paying the price for salvation I can turn away from my sins and receive ETERNAL LIFE asking Him to be my Lord. He is the only way. This must be understood.

C. CONFESS JESUS AS LORD:

You must confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. You must call on God surrendering all to be saved and then share this decision with others.

I can't force you to be saved, but would you like to call out to God now and ask Him to save you?

SAMPLE PRAYER: