Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

As human beings in the 21st century, we sometimes get comfortable in modern amenities and think- “Well, what exactly do I need to be saved from?”

But throughout history, we have seen the manifestation of things that have horrified us. Murder, genocide, famine and the ravages of hunger , war, pain and death. Where did these things come from? Were we meant to suffer like this? What is the point of life then if we are meant to die and leave everything?

People have tried to rationalize the reason for all these things but essentially, there is agreement that evil exists. And as most certainly evil exists, there must also certainly exist good. The Bible gives us clues in the book of Genesis 2:15-17-

–The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it. Then the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”

The Bible continues to tell us that man was tempted and did eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, he was banished from Eden and sentenced to die. The story could end right there because man committed the offense that deserved the punishment. Man, therefore, became a sinner- sin being doing those things that are opposite to the nature of God, and doing the things that seem right in his own eyes. Man became an enemy of God instead of His friend. He was free to choose to follow evil or good as pleased his heart and mind.

However, a merciful God created a way of escape, a way to re-establish the relationship between God and man. So salvation is really God’s provision for man to make his way back to God. Jesus was promised and came on the earth to provide that way. But we first need to understand:

1. We are sinners in need of redemption- Romans 3: 10 says ““There is no one righteous, not even one“
2. We have to make the decision to turn away from the way of evil and sin -Acts 17:30-31 says “Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, having provided proof to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
3. Jesus Christ is the only one who has died in place of us that we may have life. And He did not stay dead- He rose again – Romans 10:9-10 says “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.“
4. We have to invite Him into our lives so that we may experience the relationship with God that we lost in Eden. Romans 10:13 says “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In order to make the first step in the direction of salvation,  pray the simple prayer:

“I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins, in my place and gave me a way to escape from the sentence of death. Jesus, I make the decision to follow you and invite you into my  life. Be my Lord and my Savior.“

Once you have made Jesus Christ you Lord and Savior, your relationship has just begun

a. Read your Bible every day ( it is the only way we can get to know Jesus Christ better)

b. PRAYER = SPIRITUAL BREATH -Talk to God in prayer each day (There are different forms of prayer mentioned in Scripture: supplication, intercession, thanksgiving, fellowship, faith).

c. Be baptized and seek out a church where you can fellowship with other Christians.

d. TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST!!