Actually first off, what does it really mean to be saved? “Saved” is often thrown around in Christian circles so often, that it may be hard to figure out what that even means. You may have been told that you need to be saved, but from what? And how?

It is revealed to us in the Bible that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then He created man and woman in His image. Think about that for a minute. You were created in the image of God. That alone should give you a boost to your self-esteem and give you a purpose in life. This is a stark contrast to the evolutionist's view that you are nothing but highly-evolved pond scum.

Now, in this original state things were perfect and there was no death. Man had a perfect relationship with God. There were no idols, altars, priests, sacrifices or anything else between man and God. There was only one rule: Don't eat the fruit of a certain tree. Man broke this rule and then sin and its consequences (death) entered the world. When you hear of people talking about being saved, they are referring to being saved from power of sin and death.

The first thing is to acknowledge that you're a sinner. You see, Jesus died for sinners. Now, you may say that you have haven't killed or robbed anybody and that you are basically a good person. However, God's Word, the Bible, says otherwise. The Bible says that there is none righteous, not even one, and that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10 & 23).

What about your good works? Won't they balance out any bad I've done? As far as salvation is concerned God has a word for them—filthy rags. The Bible says that all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

At this point it seems that all are doomed, and we would be because the Bible says in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. However, the second part of that verse says, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Notice the "but", God has provided a way for you to be to be saved from death. You see, God is not an ogre waiting and wanting to send people to hell. Instead, He loves you—so much in fact that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

To give you this gift of salvation, God made a way through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Nearly 2000 years ago, on a cross, at Calvary, Jesus suffered and died in your place. He bore your sins and mine (1 Peter 2:24). Prior to His death on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished!" That statement carries with it the idea of "paid in full". That statement remains true today. It is finished. You can't do anything to earn salvation. Going to church, giving money, being good, attempting to live right, confessing to a priest, walking down an aisle—even reading the Bible, learning and acting it out—won't do anything to save you. Christ has already done that. The Bible says very plainly in Ephesians 2:8–9:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Nothing or no one can save you, except Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." It is only through faith in Jesus, that you can ever be saved.

Faith is a decision of your heart demonstrated by the actions of your life. Romans 10:9 says, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

You can make this decision right now. If you are choosing right now to repent of your sins and believe by faith that Jesus died for your sins, and rose from the dead, and if you desire to receive new life through Him, then pray a prayer similar to this one "For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13):

"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that there is nothing I can do to save myself. I am sorry for my sins. I believe Jesus Christ died to in my place to pay for my sins. I now put my faith and trust to Christ and accept You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Thank you for my new life. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You."

If you prayed this prayer as the true desire of your heart, then share your decision with a Christian friend or pastor. If you are not already going to a church, find one that teaches the Bible and one in which you can worship and grow in your faith. Ask to be baptized as a public expression of your faith.

Get a Bible and read it. Buy one that you can easily read and I would suggest to start reading the gospel of John, followed by Romans and Ephesians.

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