God wants every person to be saved. The Bible shows what He has already done for us, and how we can respond to Him. Read the passages below for yourself, and let God’s word speak.
God’s Plan to Save Man
God Has Done His Part
Salvation begins with God. Before we ever looked for Him, He loved us and gave His Son for us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Christ Has Done His Part
Jesus gave His life and shed His blood to rescue us from sin and bring us into His kingdom, the church.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13–14
…the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Acts 20:28
The Gospel Is the Power to Save
God uses the good news about Jesus, His word, to reach our hearts and save us.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16
…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21
Man Is Invited
The invitation is open to everyone. No one is too far gone to come to Jesus.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28–30
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
Some Things Man Must Do
From Scripture, here is what people did when they heard the gospel and obeyed it.
- 1
Hear the Gospel
Faith starts with listening to what God has said, and then putting it into practice.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Matthew 7:24–25 - 2
Believe the Gospel
Trust that God is real and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:30–31 - 3
Repent of Your Sins
Repentance is a change of heart that turns us away from sin and toward God.
…unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…
Acts 17:30Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…
Acts 3:19 - 4
Confess Jesus as the Son of God
Say openly what you believe in your heart: that Jesus is Lord.
Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32–33…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9–10Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Acts 8:37 - 5
Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
In baptism we are buried with Christ and our sins are washed away.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 22:16There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism…
1 Peter 3:21 - 6
The Lord Adds You to His Church
When someone is saved, the Lord Himself adds that person to His church.
…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47 - 7
Live Faithfully
Being a Christian is a lifelong walk. God gives strength to keep going, and the reward is worth it.
…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10…he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:22Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
If We Refuse to Obey God
God’s offer of life is a gift, but the Bible is honest that turning it down has eternal consequences.
…in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…
2 Thessalonians 1:7–9
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.