Why We Need A Savior

In the first chapters of Genesis we learn about the creation of man (Gen 2:7). Adam was put in the most beautiful perfect place on the face of the earth. It was called the Garden of Eden and Adam's job was to care for it. God created a woman named Eve so that Adam would not be lonely. They talked directly to God and He also spoke directly to them. They were permitted to eat freely from any tree in the garden except one. God said "but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat from it you shall surely die." (Gen 2:17).

We see that Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan to eat from the forbidden tree. They yielded to the temptation and God punished them just as He said He would - with the death penalty. This was the first case of "sin" which is basically disobedience and rebellion against God. It is referred to as "the fall" of man.

You and I are descendents of Adam and we therefore live our lives under the same unfortunate penalty (sin and death). Here is a list of some of the terrible consequences of the fall:

The ground is cursed and will bring forth weeds which competes with the food man must grow to survive (Gen 3:17-19)
 
Physical changes take place in man; he perspires when he works and he will have to work all of his life (Gen 3:19)
 
Man (by sinning) dies spiritually and eventually dies physically; His flesh finally decays until it returns to the dust from which it was originally taken. (Gen 3:19)
 
Pain for the woman in childbirth (Gen 3:16) According to the Bible, we are all sinners (Rom 3:23). Because we are sinners, we are condemned to death. "For the wages (payment) of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment" (Heb 9:27). But God in His mercy, does not wish anyone to spend eternity in Hell separated from Him! Read on!!!
 

God's Plan of Salvation - The Good News!

But first remember this...God hates sin!! He separated Himself from Adam and Eve because of it. He will punish it with death. If we break any of the ten commandments in our lifetime, we have sinned against God. Trying to be a good person and doing good deeds doesn't keep God from handing out the death penalty for sin. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) In the Old Testament people would sacrifice animals at the alter as payment for their sins. Some kind of blood sacrifice would also be required for our sins to be forgiven. Here's where God shows Himself to be a loving Father. Get ready for the Good News! God sent His only Son Jesus to this earth to be sacrificed for our sins. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life here on earth. The blood that poured from His body and His eventual death on that wooden cross at Calvary was acceptable to God as full payment for our sins. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. He died in our place (Rom 5:8). He became our substitute. The Bible says that He then was buried but on the third day he arose from the dead and appeared to Peter, then the twelve disciples and later to more than 500 (1 Cor 15:3-6). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). By accepting His death on the cross as payment for your sins you are not only given eternal life but also the rich inheritance as one of His sons (John 1:12). So what do we need to do in order to have eternal life? God says in order to go to heaven one must be born again. In John 3:7, Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asks Paul and Silas "....Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and though shalt be saved.. ." Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved. (Rom 10:13) God's plan is tremendously powerful and simple.

Here are the steps that must be taken in order for you to be "born again" so that when you die, you'll know that there will be a place for you in Heaven. (John 14:2)

Realize that you are a sinner (remember "all have sinned...." Romans 3:23)
 
Repent! To repent means to turn away from sin and turn to God. This comes as a result of a true change of mind and heart about sin. "God....commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30) Repentance means that you agree with God that you are a sinner and you also agree with what Jesus did for us on the cross. You may find yourself chained to certain sins. Jesus can free you of them! "and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Turn away from sin.
 
Receive Jesus Christ into your heart by faith through prayer. Right now, wherever you are, repenting, lift your heart to God in prayer. In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: "God be merciful to me a sinner." Just Pray: "Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank you for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen"
 

If you just prayed this prayer, you have made the greatest decision of your life. Remember you now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How do you know that Christ is in your life? According to the promise He made in Revelation 3:20. Christ said He would come into your heart. (It is by His own trustworthiness and His Word) Final Points If any of this is not clear, read the above again over and over until you understand it. Remember that the faith that saved you came from standing on the promises that God Himself has made. Stand on God's promises. They never change. Do not trust your own feelings because they can change. Now, you need to grow in Jesus Christ and His Love.

Pray - You talk to God.

Read your Bible - God talks to you.

The book of John is a great place to start if you have never read the Bible before. Unite with Pineview Baptist Church or a Bible-believing church in your area as soon as possible. You should be Baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a public testimony of your salvation. This is important as this is the first step of obedience. Read Matthew 10:32

Witness - You talk for God
 

Please Email Us - We would love to hear about your decision!