For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3

The Bible teaches that people sinned and rebelled against God. They chose a kingdom apart from God ruled by Satan. In so doing, humanity experienced spiritual death, incurred the wrath of God, ended the harmony God created them for, and ultimately people are sent to hell if they do not repent.

MYTH: “I have always been a follower of God,” or “I have always known God."

These truths from the Bible make it clear that no one has always known God. Each person, when born, enters life separated from God by their sin. At the same time, because God longs to make Himself known, many people grow up with an awareness of God (Romans 1:18-32). While this intellectual awareness sets one on the path to salvation, it is not salvation itself.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

Many people, in an attempt to get back to God, will try many different things to warrant God accepting them and saving them. Some people think that if they go to church regularly or act kindly toward others that God will accept them into salvation and heaven. Others may choose to be generous with their resources or to live a moral life as they define it. Yet, the Bible teaches us that none of those things will satisfy God’s wrath nor earn His acceptance. There is only one way to God. 

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:5-11

The only path to salvation and restoration with God, is through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Consider what the death and resurrection of Jesus accomplishes for us.

Death of Christ

• His death satisfies the wrath of God against our sin. Jesus paid our sin debt by dying on the cross.

• Our response: We confess our sins which is an act of a person agreeing with God that they are a sinner and in need of the forgiveness achieved by Christ.

Resurrection of Christ

• His resurrection makes new life possible. By conquering death, Jesus has authority to impart new life to those who repent and trust Him.

• Our response: We yield or submit to Christ by accepting His gift of life. We do this by placing faith or trust in Him.

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:15

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. Romans 3:21-25

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

The Bible teaches that we are to…

• Repent of our sin: Acknowledge to God our commitment to turn from our sin and embrace obedience to Him.

• Confess our sin to God: Agree with God that we are a sinner.

• Believe in Jesus: We place our faith or trust in Christ as we verbally confess that we are trusting Christ to save us.

• Submit to Him: Pledge your life and allegiance to Jesus.

The Meaning of Believe

• Intellectual Consent: To believe in the Bible can mean mentally agreeing with something. The idea is, “I believe what you are saying.” This does not represent acceptance, just understanding. Thus, to say, “I have always believed in God” is a statement of mental consent only. It is not equivalent to saving faith.

• Trust: This use of the word in the Bible is represented by the words “believe”, “faith,” and/or “trust.” It means to not only accept as true but to actively place your trust in that belief. Thus, to say, “I believe in Christ” is to say I have placed my trust or faith in hope for forgiveness and new life.

Now that you are a follower of Jesus, we begin to live for Jesus. To get started, there are a few things that are essential to living a life with Christ.

• Pray and read the Bible.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6-7

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16

• Engage in good works which Christ has for us.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

• Worship Christ and grow in Him with other Christians.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

• Increasingly conform to Jesus – we live like Him.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

• Tell others about the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20