Salvation
No one get out of this world alive, so this is beyond a doubt the most important question you can ever ask yourself, In fact, the Bible was written, “So that you may have eternal life” (1 John 5:13)
First according to scripture, you need to realize that you are a sinner. If you do not realize you are a sinner, you will not recognize your need for a savior. The Bible says we “all have sinned and fall short of the “ glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So first and foremost, if you recognize that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin you ultimately have to say this:” I am a sinner”
The Bible goes on to teach us that we must repent of our sins. Repentance is an old English word that describes a willingness to turn from our sins towards Jesus Christ. It literally means a complete U-turn on the road of life—a change of heart and a change of mind.It means that you are willing to follow Jesus and to receive him as your savior and Lord. Jesus said” “repent and believe the Good News” (Mark1:15), and indeed, that’s what we are talking about the best news ever shared in the history of humanity, the news that you can have a relationship with the very one who knit you together in your mother’s womb.
If you want to demonstrate true belief it means to be willing to receive. To truly receive is to trust in anddepend on Jesus Christ aloneto be the Lord of our lives here and now and our Savior for all eternity. It takes more than knowledge (the devil knows about Jesus and trembles). It takes more than agreement that the knowledge we have us accurate (the devil agrees that Jesus is Lord). What it takes is to trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It takes knowledge, agreement and personal trust, placing your trust in Jesus Christ alone. The requirements for eternal life are not based on what you can do but on what Jesus Christ has done for you. It’s not d-o ,it’sd-o-n-e. it’s done through the person and work of Jesus Christ. He stands ready to exchange his perfection for your imperfection.
According to Jesus Christ, those who realize they are sinners, repent of their sins, and receive him as Savior and Lord are “born again” (John 3:3) –not physically, but spiritually. The reality of our salvation is not dependent on our feelings but rather on the promise of the Savior who says: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life “ (John 5:24)
If the Holy Spirit right now is moving upon your hear and you want to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, it is as simple as asking Jesus Christ to come into your life. You have to recognize that you’re a sinner, be willing to repent of your sins and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life.
Some Christians lack assurance because they don't know the exact time of their salvation. They can't remember when they believed. Some can't remember ever not believing. Because they can't pinpoint the exact moment, they doubt whether the moment actually occurred. But if you didn't know the date of your birth, you wouldn't wonder if you were alive. Far too much has been made of isolating the moment by some little formula, whether it be praying a prayer, signing a card, raising your hand, or walking down an aisle.
Many Christians--especially those reared in a Christian environment--can't identify the exact moment they were saved. I can't. I don't know when I passed from death to life, but I know I did. There were times as a little child when I prayed special prayers. I specifically remember praying with my father on the steps of a church in Indiana when he was holding a revival meeting. His sermon convicted me because I had done some things that week that weren't right. I remember as a fourteen-year-old going forward at camp and throwing a pine cone in the fire, teary-eyed and wanting to make my life right with God. I was in a serious auto accident when I was a freshman in college, which vividly reinforced God's claim on my life, but I can't say for sure that was the time of my salvation.
I don't look for a past event to make my salvation real to me. I look at the present pattern of my life. Some people have a false assurance because they can remember a past event, but their life doesn't follow a righteous pattern. So don't worry if you can't tie in a specific time or event with the moment of your salvation. Focus on your lifestyle instead.
How Many Times Have You "Got Saved"? (Paul Washer)
