The Bible is the believer's best resource for knowing God and learning what it means to live a holy life. Everything people need to know is in the scriptures. In addition, there are many commentaries to help seekers learn how to be saved by Jesus and please God. The process is a simple one which requires a sincere heart, deep faith, and total commitment. Fortunately for all of us, God is willing and able to provide all we need, starting with the grace to change our sinful, selfish ways.
The work of salvation is already done. Jesus went to a terrible death on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. His death was the blood sacrifice required to reconcile sinful mankind with a holy God. His resurrection was the triumph over death, spiritual as well as physical.
Many people are turned off by the idea of admitting they are sinners. World philosophies have taught that mankind has its own divine nature or else that man is simply another animal evolved by chance and without an innate spiritual component. Right and wrong are concepts that depend on a God of truth; a world view that sees random chance as the governing force has no standard of absolute truth.
This is contrary to God's word. God tells us in the Bible that we're born in sin and continue in sin unless we're 'born again' as new creatures with the righteousness of Christ. No one living is without sin. It doesn't matter how much good we think we do. Salvation is not earned; it's a free gift that can be accepted or rejected.
The fact is that God made the world and also the rules we live or die by. The saved know that these rules make our lives better. A holy god cannot enter into relationship with sinners, but when we accept Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross we are redeemed. The penalty of our sin - death - has been paid in full.
Free will is so important to our heavenly father that He gave the very first people, Adam and Eve, the choice to obey or disobey. We know that they chose to 'become like God' and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the 'original sin' that the Bible speaks of.
Those who are troubled by the idea of 'original sin' only need to evaluate themselves. There is something inherent in man that drives selfishness, dishonesty, immorality, and contentiousness. All of us have broken God's rules many times over.
So how does it work? The Bible tells us that those who believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins, accept His sacrifice, and turn from their sins will be saved. After you do so, acknowledge Him before men - in other words, tell others of your salvation in your personal testimony - and continue in fellowship with God for eternity.
The work of salvation is already done. Jesus went to a terrible death on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. His death was the blood sacrifice required to reconcile sinful mankind with a holy God. His resurrection was the triumph over death, spiritual as well as physical.
Many people are turned off by the idea of admitting they are sinners. World philosophies have taught that mankind has its own divine nature or else that man is simply another animal evolved by chance and without an innate spiritual component. Right and wrong are concepts that depend on a God of truth; a world view that sees random chance as the governing force has no standard of absolute truth.
This is contrary to God's word. God tells us in the Bible that we're born in sin and continue in sin unless we're 'born again' as new creatures with the righteousness of Christ. No one living is without sin. It doesn't matter how much good we think we do. Salvation is not earned; it's a free gift that can be accepted or rejected.
The fact is that God made the world and also the rules we live or die by. The saved know that these rules make our lives better. A holy god cannot enter into relationship with sinners, but when we accept Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross we are redeemed. The penalty of our sin - death - has been paid in full.
Free will is so important to our heavenly father that He gave the very first people, Adam and Eve, the choice to obey or disobey. We know that they chose to 'become like God' and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the 'original sin' that the Bible speaks of.
Those who are troubled by the idea of 'original sin' only need to evaluate themselves. There is something inherent in man that drives selfishness, dishonesty, immorality, and contentiousness. All of us have broken God's rules many times over.
So how does it work? The Bible tells us that those who believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins, accept His sacrifice, and turn from their sins will be saved. After you do so, acknowledge Him before men - in other words, tell others of your salvation in your personal testimony - and continue in fellowship with God for eternity.