.Ephesians 2:8-10 Tells us that salvation is a gift!
"For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith-and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God- 9 not by works,
so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
"Therefore, my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed-
not only in my presence,
but now much more in my absence-
continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act according to
His good purpose."
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Yesterday, we used the example of being offered the gifts of 3 different types of makeovers:
- body
- wardrobe
- house
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These concepts are all there when a person decides to accept the gift of salvation from God. What does that look like? Many people would have us believe it is "saying the sinner's prayer" and "accept Jesus into your heart"... Others would have us believe that it's not about acceptance, "we just need to cover our bases and 'baptize' that baby"...
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I think the best way to get a basic grasp of how people become christians, is by looking at how they became christians (part of the family of God) in scripture. Join me today as we read through a few of those:
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Acts 2:38-47 - Here, is the day "the church" or "the family of God began" after Jesus had ascended back into heaven. The apostles' (through the power of the Holy Spirit) aided 3,000 people in becoming christians that day. See how it was done and note how the word "accepted" is used:
- 38 Peter replied, "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.
- 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."
- 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
- 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
- 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
- 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
- 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
- 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
- 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
- 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "
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Here's another New Testament example of salvation:
Acts 16:25-34
- 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
- 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
- 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
- 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
- 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
- 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
- 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household."
- 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
- 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
- 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-he and his whole family. '
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Acts has many stories of people converting to christianity after accepting the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Each new convert did not become "perfect" because "christians aren't perfect... they're just forgiven. Each convert became God's work in progress!
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If you have not yet read the poem over on the right side bar, close to the top and right underneath the clock. I hope you have time to read it now. Be blessed!
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