We are born innocent and pure into a world infected with sin. With time, when we begin to understand good and evil, sin infects us and we die spiritually. God teaches us that at this time, a separation is created between us and him, which cannot be bridged by human effort. But God is a loving and merciful God who wants all people to be saved. So he has given us good news – the gospel of our salvation! This good news (the gospel) tells us that there is a way to bridge that gap and restore our relationship with God by having our sins washed away and becoming cleansed by the perfect blood of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that the only way to be freed from sin is to die to yourself. The same passage (Romans 6:3-7), tells us that the only way we can die to our sin and be freed from it is by going through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus with him. This death, burial and resurrection happens spiritually when we are physically immersed in the waters of baptism. God’s word tells us that our hearts are uncircumcised (unclean) before we are baptized in obedience to the gospel. And it is God who does the work of circumcising our hearts and cleansing our souls in the water to prepare a place for the Holy Spirit to reside.
Salvation can only be found through Jesus and in Jesus. There is no other entity in heaven or on earth that can save us. Although this salvation does not happen through any work we can do, God asks us to follow his plan and obey the gospel: the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus through which we are saved (Romans 1:16).
Our lives from that point on reflect and display to the world that we are a new creation, created to do good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do.(Ephesians 2:8-10). We make mistakes, but our calling is to walk in the light as He is in the light – realizing that the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us. (I John 1:7)
We press on sure of our salvation because God has promised and GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Realize: Acknowledge the need for a relationship with God.
Verse: Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Repent: Turn away from actions and thoughts that distance you from God.
Verse: Acts 3:19 – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Believe: Trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Verse: John 3:16 – “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.”
Confess: Declare your faith in Jesus openly and sincerely.
Verse: Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Be Baptized: Experience the symbolic act of immersion, signifying a new life in Christ.
Verse: Acts 22:16 – “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
Receive the Holy Spirit: Invite the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit into your life.
Verse: Acts 2:38 – “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
Grow: Continuously deepen your faith through prayer, study, and fellowship.
Verse: 2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Serve: Actively engage in sharing the love of Christ with others.
Verse: Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Celebrate: Join in the joy of salvation with a welcoming community of believers.
Verse: Psalm 100:2 – “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Persevere: Endure in faith, knowing that God’s love is steadfast and eternal.
*NIV unless otherwise noted
