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Four things God wants you to know

Am I saved and going to heaven? This is a very important question and probably one that most people ask at some time in their life. Easter is one of those times of the year that this question is probably reflected on a little bit more than usual.

To be saved means to be rescued from the penalty of sin - which is eternal separation from God in hell - and to be assured that you are going to heaven when you die. In the present tense it also means that you are in relationship with God, He is with you wherever you go and He is able to guide you and help you in all situations.

Essentially God's plan of salvation can be explained in four simple points. At PASSION Australia we pray you will take a few minutes to read the following information and God will reveal His personal plan for salvation today.

1. God loves you and He wants to be a part of your life.

We get a glimpse of God's love for mankind and His desire to be a part of our lives by looking at the Garden of Eden. When God created the heavens and the earth (see Genesis 1:1), He created mankind (Adam and Eve) and placed them in a garden. He provided for all their needs and walked and talked with them daily.

We see in God's original plan, His heartbeat is to be in relationship with each of us and walk and talk with us daily. His greatest desire way back then was, and still is, to get to know each of us personally.

Question - If God loves us all so much and wants to be a part of our lives, why do many people not have God in their life?

2. Man sinned and was separated from God

God gave mankind rule over all creation, but because God is a holy God He gave them some rules to follow. One of them was not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Genesis 2:15-17).

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve chose not to obey this command and because of this sin entered the world. Because of their disobedience they were caste out of the garden paradise God had created for them. Since this time all mankind has been separated from God (see Isaiah 59:2). The Bible tells us that not only did Adam and Eve sin, but all mankind have sinned and fallen short of God's standards (see Romans 3:23).

We may feel that we live a good life and mostly we do. However, if we take a moment to look at God's Ten Commandments (see below), we soon realise that at some time we have broken at least one of them. God says in James 2:10 that if we break one we are guilty of breaking them all.

Question - If all mankind have sinned and are separated from God, is there anything that can be done to remedy this?

3. Jesus Christ died on the cross

Many people know the Easter story - that Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday and He rose to life on Easter Sunday. This is celebrated every year in most parts of the world. But why did Jesus have to die? Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin that separates us from God (see Romans 5:8).

Because of Jesus' death on the cross, the reason for our separation (see Hebrews 10:10) has now been removed and we can now approach God and be in relationship with Him.

Question - If Jesus has died to remove our sin, is there anything we have to do?

4. Faith in Jesus Christ restores the relationship between God and man

Each of us must respond personally to God's plan for our salvation. God played His part by giving His Son to pay the price for our sin. Our part to receive what Jesus has done for us (see Revelations 3:20). God requires us to do three things to find salvation. They can be described as the A, B, C of salvation -

A - Admit. We need to admit to God that we have sinned and fallen short of His standards and to ask for His forgiveness.

B - Believe. We need to believe in Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sin.

C - Commit. We need to commit our lives to Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into our lives and guide and lead us in all we do.

How can I do this?

Responding to God is as simple as praying a short prayer that expresses our thanks for what He has done, confessing your sin and asking Jesus into your life. You can pray this prayer right now.

Dear God,
I thank You that Jesus came and died on the cross for my sin. Right now I ask for Your forgiveness. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and I ask You to be a part of my life. Please come and be my Lord and Saviour. Please guide me and lead me in all I do and help me to live for You. Amen.

If you just prayed this prayer, please visit our New Christians page to find some helpful tips on starting your new life with Christ.

Footnotes

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,..."
Genesis 2:15-17 - The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Isaiah 59:2 - "Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear".
Romans 3:23 - "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".
Romans 5:8 - "But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us".
Hebrews 10:10 - "And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all".
Revelations 3:20 - "Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me".
1 John 5:13 - "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

The Ten Commandments (extracted from Exodus 20:1-17 - New Living Translation)

1. Do not worship any other gods besides me.
2. Do not make idols of any kind.
3. Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbour.
10. Do not covet.