God’s Plan of Salvation. What is Sin and Why do we Need Salvation?

                                                                            God’s Plan of Salvation

                                                     How to Know Jesus as Your Personal Savior.

       To come to the Father through Jesus we must first know that “God is”, and he rewards of those of those who seek him.

                                                                             Are you seeking him?

       “⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must “believe that he is” (quotation marks and bold print added for emphasis), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV) You must realize that to “believe God” and “believe in God” are two different things. The apostle James describes the difference in James 2:19 KJV where he says’ “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” If you remember the story of Adam and Eve you know that they had “absolute knowledge” of God and heard firsthand the warning of the consequences of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Did absolute knowledge of God save Adam and Eve from not “believing God” about the consequences of eating from the tree, which was death? It did not; there is more to any relationship than just knowing the other party absolutely exists.

       Will you “believe God” along with “believing in God?” If you do, then your actions will show you believe and accept God provisions for sin by putting your faith and trust in what God has told us in His Word, the Bible.

                                            Do you feel the same way about sin as God?

                                                                            What is Sin?

       “¹⁷ All unrighteousness (wrong doing, from the NIV) is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” (1 John 5:17 KJV.) So, what is unrighteousness or wrong doing? Many individual examples are given in the Bible, too many to mention here. The Bible does give us a broader definition or precept of sin by which we can recognize all sin. I summarize this definition of sin as: “Not showing proper respect and honor to our creator, God.

       You may ask; if I steal from my neighbor, how is that a sin against God? Jesus told us, “⁴⁰ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40 NIV.) This truth goes both ways. If you have done something bad toward one of God’s creations you have done it to God, and Jesus. Any disrespect of the God of creation or the work of his hand is sin.

       Did Adam and Eve have a rule book in the garden? Did they steal, rob, murder or some other thing we call sin? They did none of these. So, what was their sin? They simply did not trust and believe God about his warning. They chose their will and desires over Gods desire to protect them from bringing harm upon themselves. God wanted them and us to live in His Holy Presence in the fruit of his spirit, which is; “²²… love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22b-23 KJV.) Could God have ever truly explained to Adam and Eve the consequences of being driven out of God’s Holy Presence. Let me illustrate this.

       If you tell a small child; “Don’t put your hand on the stove it is HOT, it will burn you and there will be nothing I will be able to do to change the consequences of your actions or your pain that it will cause you. Unless that child has been burnt before they probably don’t truly understand the danger in their child like understanding. However, does he or she “believe in you”? Of course they believed in you, but did his or her actions reflect that he or she “believed you” and respond accordingly.

       You gave them the warning before they touched the stove because of your love and concerned for them. Again, could you truly explain to the child how it would affect them before it happened? No, you couldn’t, however, if they did touch the stove and was burned would you not also provide a treatment or even a cure for them if you could? Of course you would, and God has done the same for Adam and Eve along with you and me. We have all touched the stove of “SIN” and our only cure is Jesus.

       We see from Adams example that “sin” is simply exerting our will over God’s will in our lives. James explains this clearly when through the Holy Spirit tells us, “¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15 KJV.) The apostle Paul tells us, “²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV.)

                                        What are the Consequences of Sin before God?

       In Genesis and Ephesians, God reveals the precept of His purity and holiness. Genesis clearly reveals that the place mankind was created to dwell in, was before God.  That place was, in his “Holy Presence”, living and talking “face to face” with God in absolute purity. That was the place of Adam and Eve’s creation and where they were to have fellowship with God. After Adam’s sin, Adam and mankind was unfit to be in God’s holy presence without judgment. “²⁴ So he (God) drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24 KJV.) God, while not glorifying their/our sin, shows the bases of their wickedness, which was the rejection of God’s loving and sovereign will over His creation. Adam and Eve along with us must learn the precept that Paul taught in Ephesians 5: 15 and 17 NIV, “¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” We must “¹⁵be very careful, how we live.”

       To understand the seriousness of man’s condition before a Holy God we must first understand this precept of the “Holy Presence of God” and what it means to, “be in the Holy Presence of God”, and “not be in the Holy Presence of God”.

       Let’s start by looking at what the apostle Paul says about being “shut out from the “presence of the Lord”:  “⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord (emphasis added) and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”  (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV.)

       Where is this place of “everlasting destruction” termed “the second death”? We see it described in Revelation chapter 20.

       “¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is “the second death” (emphasis added). ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:13-15 NIV.)

        We see God telling us about the dreadful consequences of being cast out of God’s Holy Presence during the last judgment. This will be the place that everyone “whose name was not found written in the book of life” will be during all eternity. Is God unfair? Absolutely not, as we read in 2 Thessalonians 1:6, “God is just” He alone will judge His creation. Another question may be; will God change His mind about the consequences of sin? “¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV.)

        As we continue this study remember Adam “did not believe God” or “did not have faith” in God’s word of warning regarding to the consequences of eating from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. Adam and Eve had absolute knowledge of God and still chose to do their own will, because of this God drove them out of His Holy Presence that was in the Garden, this removal from God’s Holy Presence is “death”, spiritual death. Adam and Eve were created “alive” in God’s Holy Presence, physically and spiritually.  Adam died spiritually when he sinned, and then Adam died physically 930 years later. Because our sin nature was handed down from Adam by birth we were born physically alive but spiritually dead, that is we are unable to come into God’s Holy presence without being judged and cast from his presence like Adam and Eve. But, God has provided hope for us through Jesus Christ.

       Our accountability toward God comes when we understand right from wrong. This is especially true the day we heard and understood that Jesus has come to be our savior. God is the only judge of that day for children and those with limited mental capacity. I leave this topic in the hands of God, but if you can read and understand this article you are accountable to God for you acceptance or rejection of God’s will for your life as revealed in the Bible.

       Only God can provide a way (the perfect sacrifice) to restore our relationship with Himself. Here is how you can be “saved” from the consequences of your sins.

                                   Are you willing to turn from your sins and follow Jesus?

        “⁵⁸ May he (God) turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors.” (1 Kings 8:58 NIV.)

       “¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 KJV.)

                           Are you willing to openly confess Jesus as Lord and Savior?

       “⁸ But what saith it?(But, what does it say?) The word is nigh (near) thee (you), even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

         ⁹ That if thou (you) shalt (shall) 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.

        ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

        ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever (whoever) believeth (believes) on him shall not be ashamed.”  (Romans 10:8-11 KJV.)

                                                     The ABC’s of Salvation which are;

                     Admit, Believe, and Confess were in these verses we have just read.

                                             To sum it up, let’s look at these ABC’s.

     A — Do you “Admit” you’re a sinner before God?

    “⁵ I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest (forgave) the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5 KJV.)

    “¹³ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth (confesses) and forsaketh (forsakes) them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13 KJV.)

    “⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV.)

     B — “Believe in God” and “Believe God” that He is faithful to forgive you of our sins through Jesus Christ.

    “⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must “believe that he is” (quotation marks and bold print added for emphasis), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV.)

    “¹⁴ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

      ¹⁵ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 KJV.)

    “¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

      ¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

      ¹⁶ 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.

      ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

      ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-18 KJV.)

                                Belief – is an action word, not just a mental thought.

      C—Confess Jesus publicly as your Savior and Lord.

    “³² Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32 KJV.)

    “¹⁰……. for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

      ¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

      ¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10b-12 KJV.)

        We shall bow before Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord now, or we will bow before Jesus Christ in judgment just before you are cast out of His Holy Presence forever. Which will it be for you, now or at the judgment?

       To give your heart and life to Jesus is to commit all you are to Him. When God called the nation of Israel to be his nation to bring the savior into the world through the lineage of Abraham, God told the Israelites ; “² For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV.) In the same way by adoption into the kingdom we as Gentiles believers are to be; “⁹ ….. a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (1 Peter 2:9 KJV.)

       If you have never accepted Christ as your savior and Lord then now is the time. We are never promised tomorrow.  Jesus came as savior the first time, but he will come as judge the next time he comes. We will all face Jesus either in death or at his second coming. Accept him today as your savior.

     “²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV.)

    “⁶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

      ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV.)

       To accept Christ today, simply but sincerely, pray to God a prayer of confession of your sinfulness before God.  Ask for His forgiveness of your sin with a broken and repentant heart, believing in your heart that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins and that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved, (paraphrased from Romans 10:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14.)  Say a prayer asking God these things in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son. Let it be your heart cry to your God and creator. God knows your heart and mind. If you can’t come up with the words yourself let me offer a prayer that you can say that can help you express a broken and contrite heart before God. This prayer is between you and the Lord, but your changed life will be your testimony before the world.

                                                               Guide prayer for salvation:   

       Our father in heaven, I come to you now asking for forgiveness for my sins. First, forgive me for never before acknowledging you as my God, Lord and savior, as I do now from my heart. Show me my sins that I may confess them to you and turn from them. Give me a new heart and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may faithfully follow you. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die for my sins, and for raising him from the dead so that I may have eternal life through Jesus Christ, who is now my Lord and Savior.  I ask this in the name of your son and my savior, Jesus Christ the Kings of kings and Lord of lords. Amen!

       If you have sincerely said a prayer of repentance, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let me know. If you have a Bible believing pastor or friends let them know as soon as possible.

       I have provided this article because Jesus commanded us to teach all nations about salvation and returning to our creator God.“¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV.)

       Seek out a Bible believing congregation and be baptized as Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 28. This will be one of your first acts of worship and obedience to your new Lord and master, Jesus Christ.

        Jesus also commands us to “¹⁵ Study to shew (show) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth (needs) not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.)

       Also seek out God and sound doctrine with your whole heart in the church you plan to attend. And don’t forsake meeting with the Bible believing church the Lord leads you to, “ ²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV.)

       Turn from your sins and follow Christ to the best of your ability praying to God for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your new walk with Jesus.

        Thank you for studying God’s word with us. Let us know your thoughts in this blog.

                                                                                                  Larry and Cyndi Miller