We at Hope Community Bible Church have been called by God and His Word to go out to our neighbors and community to share with them the simple message of the Bible concerning man’s need for a Savior.

The Bible clearly teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that there is “no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). There is a penalty to be endured by all who are sinners, for the Word of God says, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) or eternal separation from God. It is because of these things that man ought to recognize his need for someone who can save him from this condition. Man needs a Savior, for again the Word of God teaches that we were all “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

This is where I have some good news, for God made provision for men to be saved by sending His Son Jesus Christ to the earth, the perfect man and perfect God in one person who, because He is perfect was able to take the penalty for the sins of men in their place by dying on the cross, so that they may, by God’s grace and by faith, not only be delivered from their sins, but may look forward to a changed life in the present, as one who strives to live for God, as well as to a future life, which is eternal life, forever in the presence of God. As the Word of God teaches, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish (the result of being a sinner) but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

It is important to know the Bible teaches “salvation is from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). God must make us “alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5) by His grace so that we can receive the gift of salvation, for again as God’s Word teaches, “There is none who understands, there is no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44). Again, the great teaching of the Bible is that man must recognize he is a sinner and can do nothing to save himself. All of a person’s so-called “righteous deeds” are as “filthy rags” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). This is why the Word of God says, “But as many as received [Jesus] Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

So then, how does a person become a Christian according to the Bible? Repeatedly the Bible speaks of repentance, which is acknowledging one to be a sinner and turning away from that sinfulness by the help and grace of God. The Bible says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

How does one believe? Have the words you heard pierced your heart? Are you aware of your sin? The Bible says that it is the Holy Spirit of God who will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). If you feel the weight of your sin and are asking in some way, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) then I say to you, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” that is:

1. Believe you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
2. Believe He died for your sins, was buried and was raised again on the third day just as He said (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
3. Believe that in trusting Him one day you will be raised like Him, never to die (1 John 3:2)
4. Believe He is the Lord to whom you must submit your life (Matthew 16:24)

Then, as the Scripture says, “you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). For, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Who can do this? God’s Word says, “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). So then I urge you with the Word of God, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-8a) but receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

May I ask, what is your response to these things?