PlanofSalvation - Indiana Baptist Institute of Theology and Missions

Plan of Salvation

One of the central themes of the New Testament is God's love for you as an individual. This love was revealed through Christ's coming into the world and living among men, His death on the cross, and rising from the dead. Through Christ's death, God offers you forgiveness for your sins. Through His resurrection we have the promise of everlasting life. Christ died and rose again for the whole world, but the decision to become a Christian is an individual matter. The only way to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is to accept what He has done and receive His offer of forgiveness and everlasting life. The following Scripture passages show God's part and yours.

God's Love is Revealed

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

God loves us all. He wants to bless your life and make it full and complete. He offers you not only an abundant life here and now, but a life which is eternal.

Man is Sinful

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23

The saying, "We are only human and nobody is perfect," is Biblically sound. When we acknowledge this truth, we come to understand our separation from God. He is holy and we are sinful, and sin brings consequences.

Sin Has a Penalty

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Christ Paid the Penalty

Sin results in death, both physical and spiritual. The alternative to death is to personally receive God's free gift of pardon for sin and provision of life everlasting which is found only in Christ by virtue of the work He did upon the cross.

You may think you must lead a "good" life and do charitable acts before God will love you. This is not so. God's love for you is not based on merit but rather on grace. His love is unconditional. He loves you despite your sin. He proved that when He came as Christ to die in your place and pay the penalty for your sin. This opened the way for you to be reconciled to Him.

Salvation is a Free Gift

"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8 - 9

Grace means undeserved favor. God graciously offers to you what you could never do for yourself. God's gift to you is free. You do not, and cannot work for a gift. All you need to do is receive it. Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you to provide deliverance from your sins. Believe that He rose as He said, three days later proving once for all that He is Victor and Savior!

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12

When you receive Christ and accept what He has done for you, you become a child of God. Picture, if you will, Jesus Christ standing at the door of your life. Invite Him in. He is waiting to be received into your life.

We Must Receive Christ

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8