The first step is clarifying what it means to be saved

To be saved means that we have been forgiven of our sins and have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not merely a hope that we will go to heaven, but that we are right with God on earth. Man's greatest need in this life is to be saved from his sin.

The apostle Paul said, “just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned"(Rom 5:12). He also tells us that, "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Our sin separates us from God and the consequence of our sin is death. The good news is that God "gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Biblical salvation refers to being delivered from the penalty of sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and experiencing new life in Christ on earth.

By His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus took the sins of the entire world on Himself and made salvation possible, but this salvation does not automatically apply to everyone. Only those who personally believe in Jesus Christ are saved. The Bible says: "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Rom 10:9-10).

Believing is more than acknowledging that God Exists

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” (James 2:19).

The scriptures are clear that believing God exists does not save us. It is impossible for someone to truly place their faith in Christ and not have their desires, passions, and life changed. More than believing in God’s existence, you must surrender your life to Him, trust Him, and repent of your sins permanently.

 

What does this look like?

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17). Salvation is much more than saying a prayer or being baptized. It is a supernatural act of God that transforms a person's life permanently. When one experiences salvation a new life is born (John 3:3-5) and a new way of life begins.

Where do I go from here?

If you have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ we want to celebrate with you! But the journey does not end there, it has just begun. The Bible says, "as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith." (Co. 2:6-7). The next step is to begin growing in your faith so that you may be firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. This really begins with finding a local church and getting involved with what God is doing. The church is where we learn biblical truth to live by, participate in corporate worship, and grow together as a community of believers on the same journey through life. New Beginnings would love to be that church to walk alongside you as you begin to grow in your faith. Make sure you let us know of your decision and how we can pray for you!