On this page, I will be using quotes from the Bible. In order to keep this a simple as possible, I will stick to only one translation of the Bible, the New International Version. I will not try to be to preachy, but this is the plan of salvation as outlined in God's word.

• We are all sinners, including you. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23)

God has a standard of obedience, it's called perfection. None of us can measure up to this standard

• We aren't sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. It is our nature, handed down from the first man, Adam.

"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."(Rom 5:12) We have a sin nature, we can't stop sinning no matter how hard we try.

• Our sin has a penalty. "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23a) Everyone must pay the penalty of sin, no exceptions.

The death referred to here is separation from God for all eternity. You may think that this might not be so bad, after all, most of your friends will be there. The typical vision of hell does not match the description in the Bible, one will not recognize his friends, and there won't be a party.
The Bible refers to this separation as outer darkness and describes it as a place of torment. The Bible says that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9) I believe that the converse is also true, no mind has conceived how miserable an eternity without God will be.

• But, thankfully there is good news. "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:22)

In the Old Testament, God made provisions for the forgiveness of sin through the shedding of the blood of sheep and bulls. This was done for several reasons, first to show that God considered sin to be a deathly serious matter. Second, and of primary importance, is these sacrifices and offerings foreshadowed the coming of God's Son, Jesus, and the sacrifice he was to make in our behalf, once for all. "The death he died, he died to sin once for all." (Rom 6:10) Jesus paid the price for everybody's sin.

• “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b)

Jesus came to this Earth, not to live a good life, or to teach us to get along with each other. His sole purpose was to live a perfect life and to be the spotless "Lamb of God." The physical pain of crucifixion was so severe that they had to make a new word for it, "excruciating," which literally means, "pain of crucifixion." Jesus willingly went to the cross, knowing the shame and the excruciating pain he would suffer. He did this because he loves you. He took your punishment so you wouldn't have to. Your sin and my sin are sufficient for us to receive the "wages of sin," which is eternity in hell. Jesus through his death on the cross, paid our debt, and received the "wages" we had coming. Romans 6:23 has another half, that is the good news of the gospel. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

• You cannot do anything to earn salvation. All of our righteous acts are as filthy rags in the sight of God. (Isa 64:5)

"Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Rom. 4:4,5) Many people try to earn salvation, but its price is too high, it cannot be earned by what we do. We cannot even help in our salvation, the price has been paid in full. When we place our own efforts beside the work of Jesus, we have in effect said that the sacrifice of Jesus wasn't enough, he didn't do a good enough job. "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."(Rom 11.6) Grace is God's unmerited favor toward man, we can't earn it or increase it. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. " (Eph. 2:8,9a) We are saved BY grace, through faith and even that faith is given to us by God.

• Salvation is a gift, you can receive this gift and be reconciled to God and receive the forgiveness of your sins.

In Acts 20:21, the apostle Paul is quoted, giving the simple plan of salvation. "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." Simply believing in Jesus and turning away from your sins is all that God asks of anyone. Merely believing in Jesus intellectually is not what is meant here. What is meant is believing and placing your trust for your salvation and eternal life in the finished work of Jesus the Son of God, as the complete price of salvation. "That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heartt hat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom 10:9)

• God gave His Son for us because he loves us.

God loves us and does not want anyone to go to hell. We have been given a free will to choose between going our own way or God's way. God did not wait until we were good enough to offer Jesus as a sacrifice in our place, and you don't have to wait until you are good enough to receive Him as your savior. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."(Rom. 5:8) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God's gift is free for the taking, think about it, read the verses (1) cited here, meditate on what God is offering you.

• If you are ready to take Jesus as your savior, here is a simple prayer

"Father, I know that I am a sinner and can not get to heaven on my own. I ask now for you to forgive my sins through the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ. Come into my heart and cleanse me of my sins. Teach me to live as You would have me to live. I thank You for sending Your Son in my place. I thank You for Your grace and love. Amen!"

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If you have sincerely prayed this prayer please let me know. Click on the "send e-mail" icon to send us an e-mail. I would be thrilled to hear from you.

If you have any questions or comments, .

(1) Follow this link to Bibles online if you don't have one available. Bible Gateway.com
I would suggest that you read all of the verses cited. Prayerfully asking God to show you the truth in His word.