Some asks you: "Why do you think it’s not necessary to believe in Jesus Christ, call upon His name, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, as it is commanded in the Holy Bible?"
You say, “God knows that I have a good heart, and that I am a good person. He won’t send me to hell. He will understand, and He will give me eternal life.”
Well, you’re in luck. Your answer can be found in Jesus’ own words, Mark 10:17-18:
So if you’ve just now realized this fact, that you are not “good,” you are most likely wanting to know His answer to the man’s question about what you must do to inherit eternal life. Well, Jesus wasn’t finished speaking(v.19):
You are a sinner: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” BUT now you are “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23)
Christ died for you to be saved: His infinite life, given for yours, pays the price of your sins, which is the death of your finite life; “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Here are your next steps, confirmed by Jesus’ own words:
You say, “God knows that I have a good heart, and that I am a good person. He won’t send me to hell. He will understand, and He will give me eternal life.”
Well, you’re in luck. Your answer can be found in Jesus’ own words, Mark 10:17-18:
- “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”
So if you’ve just now realized this fact, that you are not “good,” you are most likely wanting to know His answer to the man’s question about what you must do to inherit eternal life. Well, Jesus wasn’t finished speaking(v.19):
- “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”
- Ever kill anyone, or wish them dead?
- Ever cheat on your spouse, or desire with your eyes and heart?
- Ever stolen something?
- Ever told a lie?
- Ever cheated or deceived someone?
- Ever disrespect your Mom or Dad?
You are a sinner: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” BUT now you are “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23)
Christ died for you to be saved: His infinite life, given for yours, pays the price of your sins, which is the death of your finite life; “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Here are your next steps, confirmed by Jesus’ own words:
- “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
- Repent: make the choice to turn away from your sin.
- Believe the good news: in what Jesus said and did.
- “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.” (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.” (John 3:16)
- Repent: make the choice to turn away from your sin.
- “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)
- Acknowledge: confess that Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior.
- “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.” (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.” (Romans 10:9)
- Pray (say this out loud if you believe it):
- “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust in Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness and everlasting life I now have. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
- “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust in Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness and everlasting life I now have. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
- Did you hear that? Heaven just rejoiced over you:
- “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Luke 15:7)
- “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Luke 15:7)
- Acknowledge: confess that Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior.
- “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
- You heard Jesus words.
- You believed in Him.
- You called/prayed upon His name.
- It’s now time to get totally immersed in water and be baptized:
- “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
- “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.” (Acts 2:38)
- “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
- You heard Jesus words.
- “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)