THE PLAN OF SALVATION
Have you ever wondered what happens after we die or where you'll spend eternity? The Bible has the answer, and the good news is that by trusting in Jesus and accepting His gift of salvation, you can be absolutely certain you will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Becoming a Christian is about starting a personal relationship with Jesus, and it’s the most important decision you can make. If you’re wondering how to begin that relationship, it’s really simple—there are a few key things to understand. Here’s what you need to know:
You Have Sinned, and Sin Separates You from God
The reality is that no one is perfect—we have all sinned. The Bible clearly states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This means that every person has fallen short of God’s standard of holiness.
Sin carries a serious consequence. Romans 6:23 warns, “For the wages of sin is death.” This doesn’t just mean physical death, but eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, as described in Revelation 20:15.
You Cannot Work Your Way To Heaven
Many people believe that being a good person or doing good deeds will get them into Heaven, but the Bible teaches otherwise. In Titus 3:5 it states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” In other words, salvation is not something we can achieve through good deeds—it is entirely an act of God’s mercy.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this truth: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation is a gift, freely given by God, not something we can earn through our own efforts. No matter how many good things we do, those good deeds can’t erase our sins or make us right with God. The good news is that Jesus already paid the price for our sins, and next, we’ll see what that means for us.
Jesus Loves You and Paid the Penalty for Your Sins
The Bible shares this amazing truth in Romans 5:8-9: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Think about that—Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, yet He took the punishment we deserved. No ordinary person could do that because we’ve all fallen short of God’s glory. Because of His love for us, Jesus sacrificed Himself so that our sins could be forgiven and our relationship with God could be restored, giving us the incredible opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
John 3:16 sums it up beautifully: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus made the way—now, how can we receive this gift of salvation?
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 3:23-25)
You Must Personally Receive God's Free Gift of Salvation
Salvation is a gift, but like any gift, you have to choose to receive it. The Bible puts it simply: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). In Romans 10:9, it says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
So what does that mean for you? It means recognizing that you’re a sinner, asking God for forgiveness, and putting your trust in Jesus—believing that He bled, died for your sins, and rose again. When you take that step of faith, you don’t have to worry about being separated from God forever. Instead, you can be certain that you will be with Him forever in Heaven, always in His presence.
If the Lord is speaking to your heart about your need for salvation, would you take a moment to pray right now? Ask God to forgive your sins, trust that Jesus died for you and rose again, and accept His free gift of salvation.
If you have just prayed and trusted Jesus as your Savior, the Bible says you can know you have eternal life in Heaven. This eternal life is in His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11–13). What a wonderful promise to hold on to!
Did you know the Bible says, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10)? If you’ve prayed and received Christ, we would love to hear from you and share in your joy, just as the angels are rejoicing.
If you have any questions or want to learn more, feel free to call us or come visit our church—we’d be happy to talk with you!