the bible: Scripture, LANDS, AND HISTORY

1.    Understand the Problem: Our Sin
Every person is a sinner before a holy God and stands guilty apart from His grace. Sin is not merely mistakes or imperfections, but rebellion against God in heart, mind, and actions. At its core, sin is choosing our own way instead of God's way and living for ourselves rather than for Him. Because God is holy, sin separates us from Him and keeps us from enjoying the relationship with Him for which we were created. 

READ: Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way."
READ: Isaiah 59:2 “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God."
READ: Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
READ: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. The Holy Spirit Convicts and Opens the Heart
The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to convict people of sin, pierce the heart, and help them understand the truth of the gospel. Apart from the Spirit, people do not naturally understand or embrace the things of God.

READ: John 16:8 “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”
READ: Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart…”
READ: Acts 16:14 "...The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul."
READ: 1 Corinthians 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them…”

3. Understand Who Jesus Is
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for sinners, and rose again from the dead.

READ: John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
READ: 1 Peter 3:18 “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God”
READ: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "...that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"

4. Understand What Christ Accomplished
On the cross, Jesus bore the punishment sinners deserve so that those who trust in Him may be forgiven and reconciled to God.

READ: 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
READ: Romans 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (NIV)
READ: Romans 5:8 “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

5. Repent
God calls every person to repent, which means turning from sin and turning to God and trusting in Jesus Christ.

READ: Mark 1:15 “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
READ: Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”
READ: Acts 17:30 "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,"

6. Trust in Christ Alone
Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by human works, religious activity, or personal goodness.

READ: Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”
READ: Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
READ: Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” (NIV)

7. The Gospel Invitation
The gospel invitation is this: repent of your sin and place your faith completely in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, and call upon Him for mercy and salvation. True saving faith receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, recognizing Him as the rightful King and Master of one’s life.   
A prayer itself does not save; Jesus Christ saves. Prayer is simply one way a person confesses sin, expresses faith, and calls upon the Lord from the heart.

READ: Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
READ: Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Example Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. Please forgive me, have mercy on me, and save me by Your grace. I turn from my sin and place my trust in You alone as my Savior and Lord. Help me to follow You and live for You. Amen.”

8. Follow Christ
Those who are truly saved begin a new life in Christ. Good works and growing obedience do not save us, but they are the fruit of genuine faith as God works in His people to make them more like Christ.
It is also very important that believers become active members of a faithful, Bible-believing church that teaches the whole counsel of God and receives the Bible as the fully inspired Word of God.

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:17  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
READ: James 2:17 “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
READ: 1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”
READ: Hebrews 10:24-25  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV)

For additional information, the Southern Baptist Convention also provides a helpful explanation of how to become a Christian: Link to How to Become a Christian

Within this website, under “Touching the Bible Lands Books,” I also offer a completely free book that discusses salvation from more of a whole-Bible-story viewpoint.