How Can I Be Saved? The ABC’s of Salvation

How Can I Be Saved?   The ABC’s of Salvation

So often we present salvation as something very complex, but God never intended it to be that way. God's plan of salvation is simple enough for everyone to understand. It is as easy as ABC.

Admit
Admit that you are a sinner an in need of salvation.    Each of us has a problem called sin.    The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”   Sin is a refusal to acknowledge God's authority over our lives, and the Bible says that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Believe
Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is the only way to obtain salvation—to get to heaven.  Although we have done nothing to deserve His love and salvation, God wants to save us.  John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  Jesus said,   “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Confess
The Bible teaches that “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”   (Romans 10:9-10).

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The Lord allows us to endure

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11 (NKJV)

There has been a time when we question if the light at the end of the tunnel will ever be visible. Will the pile ever get smaller? Will the worries ever stop? When will the Lord show up? Allow me to tell you a story of an acquaintance.

A young man had been married for 15 years, but his marriage wasn't what it used to be. They had grown distant and cold to one another. "Going through the motions" was putting it lightly. If there had been an opportunity to sleep in separate bedrooms they would have. How much could he endure?

Emails left open and phone bills increasing in price led to the inevitable... an affair was occurring. How much could he endure?

Their ten year-old just diagnosed with something they felt all along: Autism. Slowly tearing their family further apart. How much could they endure?

Flustered and frustrated with life, his wife missed an important meeting a client. She showed up on Monday to discover that she had been let go because the company missed a six figure deal. How much could she endure?

But we know the Lord walks with us all the time. Think of where we'd be without the Lord? We can endure. It may not be the happy ending in storybooks we want, but we will be given another day to endure by the Father.

Job, as he was enduring the pain and sorrow of his lengthy ordeal, felt as if he had been utterly forsaken by God. But the example of Job should remind us that even when grief or turmoil hide the face of God from us, he is still working tenderly toward our sanctification and glory.

For this reason, James declares, we count them happy which endure. Those who steadfastly endure the trials God sends their way are, in the end, the most blessed people on earth. Their lives have brought glory to God, their testimony has pointed to eternity, and their faithfulness has reminded us of God’s goodness.

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Jesus' word lasts forever

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away – Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

“Nothing lasts forever.” We have become so used to the reality of this cliche that we have many times, even as Christians, unconsciously applied this earthly maxim to eternal things.

But Jesus would have us remember that, yes, heaven and earth shall pass away; nothing in this world lasts forever. Cars and carpet, bodies and bank accounts, hobbies and holidays — all eventually break up or break down. The things we strive for and try to obtain mean nothing when we are finally called to the Lord. Egyptians used to want to be buried with their belongings in the afterlife. Are we that different these days?

Even nations and world powers rise and fall over time. Did you know there is not a single world government still in power today that existed when the United States was formed? As young as this
country is, it is already the oldest living government on the planet!

Heaven and earth shall pass away, Jesus says, but my words shall not pass away. God’s words and God’s works will still stand when the earth is on fire. You perhaps will agree to the point Jesus is making, but does the reality Jesus is highlighting infuse your decision-making with an eternal perspective and priority? In other words, do you live as if everything in this world is momentary and God’s promises are everlasting?

If your joy, fulfillment, or comfort is found in your youth… what about when you get old? If it comes from your wealth… what happens when you become poor or too sick to enjoy it? What if your happiness comes from popular? When you friends move on will you  turn to the Lord? Have you turned to Him throughout your life for happiness?

Brothers and sisters in Christ, NOTHING lasts forever, except everything that I do and say, Jesus reminds us. May this reality be reflected this day in everything we do and say.

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Torres Family May Newsletter

Fishing In Restricted Waters Torres Tidings Dear Steve, We really enjoyed celebrating our recent major American holiday with Li Ming and her family. Li Ming was our very first "Spoken Chinese" teacher. At that time we started to get to know her and her family. Our Chinese was very limited, and although they understand many English words, they do not actually speak English. Now, we are having meaningful conversations in Chinese! Earlier this month, they joined us as we colored eggs, hid them, and found them. As we shared with them the good news about the holiday, they responded with interest and even asked a few questions. It is all pretty new to them. We know that understanding it all can even take years, but it is exciting to see the process has begun. Please join us in asking our father to give us more opportunities to invest in this family. They recently moved into our apartment complex, and we hope this will help us reach this family. Grace and Peace, The Torres Family Expressions of Our  Journey We enjoyed a meal with Li Ming and her family. Chen Chen and Moriah coloring Easter eggs! MAY Moriah and Chen Chen waited in the other room while the grown ups hid the eggs. Chen Chen had fun looking for Easter eggs! Quick Links    Printable Version of Newsletter Family Picture Landscape Family Picture Portrait