Anyone who comes to the Messiah Jesus for salvation must have at least a basic understanding of who Jesus is and how He meets our needs for salvation.
An explanation of the facts concerning salvation must include at least the following:
All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23
The penalty of our sin is death - Rom. 6:23
Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins - Rom. 5:8
Rom. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom. 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Messiah Jesus our Lord.
Rom. 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.
Understanding those facts and even believing that they are true is not enough for a person to be saved. There must be an invitation for a personal response from the individual who will repent of their sins and personally trust the Messiah.
Invitation to Respond
When the Bible speaks of people coming to salvation it does so in terms of a personal response to an invitation from the Messiah Himself.
Matt. 11:28-30 - “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
John 1:11-12 - He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
These verses speak of a genuine personal invitation that seeks a personal response for each one who hears it. As the facts of the gospel are presented, a response is offered by the hearer.
Either they receive the gospel message or they reject it.
Any genuine gospel presentation must include an invitation to make a conscious decision to forsake one’s sins and come to Jesus the Messiah in faith. asking Him to forgive you of your sins.
Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 5:31 - He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 17:30 - Therefore having over-looked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent.
If the need to repent of one’s sins or the need to personally trust Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins is left out, an incomplete gospel has been proclaimed. And this is not sufficient to save anyone.
Forgiveness and Eternal Life
Although there are many wonderful blessings that come to the one who is truly saved, the primary thing that is promised in the gospel message is forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
All who come to Jesus the Messiah in this manner can have the assurance that they will be accepted by Him and will not be turned away. Let's be there together brothers.
John 6:37 - All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
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