HOW TO BE BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY

So much confusion reigns in the world over something that God intended to be so simple. How can a person have everlasting life, a relationship with God, and a home in heaven?

 

The wrong answers abound. Some think it is by obeying the commands of the law. But the Bible says “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified [declared righteous] in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20) Most believe that it has something to do with good works like going to church, being baptized, helping others, and so on. But the Bible says all our righteousness is like filthy rags in the eyes of God, and salvation is “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9)

 

How then can a person receive everlasting life?

 

First, we must recognize that we don’t deserve it. We all are sinners, and that sin separates us from God. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one…. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10-12, 23)

 

We must also understand who Jesus Christ is. Jesus Christ is God the Son (thus fully God), come in human flesh (thus fully man), fulfilling the Old Testament promises of the Messiah [Christ]. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 12)

 

We must believe that Jesus Christ died for our sin, taking its penalty. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 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.” (Romans 5:6-9)

 

We must believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, defeating our sin and destroying its power over us. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10) “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it [righteousness] was imputed [placed on his account] to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25)

 

We receive everlasting life simply by trusting Jesus Christ to save us on the basis of His death for our sins and His resurrection triumphant over sin.

 

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

 

Another term used in the Bible for turning to Christ is repentance.  To repent, when it comes to salvation, is simply to change your mind from unbelief to belief in Jesus Christ.  Many people respond in faith to Christ’s offer of salvation with a simple prayer, much like this one:

 

“Lord, I know that I am a sinner and don’t deserve heaven. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Thank You for His resurrection, which proves He defeated them. I ask you to save me, believing that you can and will, because of what Jesus Christ has done. Thank you for saving me.”

 

Make no mistake – a prayer doesn’t save you, any more than any other good work will. But the faith expressed in that prayer is what allows God in His grace to save you.

 

“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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

 

If you would like to consider more of what the Bible says about this subject, Isaiah 53, John 3, and Romans 1-5 are great places to start. If you have questions about salvation, or if you have decided through reading this to trust Christ for salvation, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us through our forum or through any of the means given for contact.