Salvation
If you would like to know for sure that you are born again and that you have received eternal life, prayerfully follow these seven steps.
1st — Realize that you are a sinner
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
- 1 John 1:8
2nd — Truly be sorry for your sins
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
- Luke 18:13
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
3rd — Confess your sins to God
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
- 1 John 1:9
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
- Romans 10:9-10
4th — Forsake your sins; put them away
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
- Proverbs 28:13
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
- Isaiah 55:7
5th — Ask forgiveness for your sins
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
- Psalm 103:3
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
- Isaiah 1:18
6th — Consecrate your entire life to Christ
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 10:32
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9
7th — God saves you by His Grace
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
- Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation Prayer
“Now is the day of salvation,” says 2 Corinthians 6:2. Not some other day—but now, this very day! “Behold, now is the accepted time,” not some other time—but right now!
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. - Isaiah 55:6-7
The Lord is near you this very moment. If you have not yet received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, find a place where you can be alone with God and not be disturbed. Get on your knees and pray to the Lord this prayer out loud:
“Dear Lord, I come before You to receive the gift of God which is eternal life. I come acknowledging that I have sinned against You. I confess all my sins to You, here and now.
“I am sorry for my sins which have separated me from Your blessing, and I truly repent and ask Your forgiveness.
“I believe on Your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that, in Your great mercy and love, You sent Him to die for me, in my place. I believe He rose from the dead to live forever as my Savior.
“I do, here and now, welcome Jesus into my life as my Savior from sin, from hell, and from all the power of the devil. I receive Christ as Lord of my life. I devote my life to pleasing You.
“Jesus, You have said that if I will come to You, You will in no wise cast me out. I have come to You with all my heart as a poor, helpless, guilty sinner, seeking salvation and trusting only in Your blood — I am sure that You do not reject me.
“You have said, ‘If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ Romans 10:9
“I believe with all my heart that You are my Lord, risen from the dead. I do confess You as my Master, my Savior, my Lord. I receive You now in my heart by faith.
“Because You died for me, suffering the penalty which I should have suffered, I know my sin can never condemn me again. You paid the full price for my redemption.
“Your Word says, ‘As many as received Him [Jesus Christ], to them He gave power to become the sons of God.’ John 1:12
“I believe that You do at this very moment give me power to become Your child. I believe that You forgive me. Your precious blood washes away all my sins. You were wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities. The punishment I ought to have endured was laid upon You. I know I am forgiven. Thank You, Lord!
“From this hour, I will read Your Word and strive to follow You and please You in all that I think, do, and say. I am now a real Christian—a representative of Christ on earth.
“I now know I am saved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The Foundation of Salvation is repentance from past sin and from the desire to sin—Acts 2:38 & 20:21. The foundation of successful living is repenting immediately when temptation becomes attractive, and before lust responds and sin is conceived. Repentance also includes a change of mind, attitude, and lifestyle. John the Baptist expected this, Luke 3:8, and the apostle Paul preached it, Acts 26:20. Under grace, deliberate sin carries the sternest warnings which should alert us to the fact that God regards no sin as trivial, Hebrews 10:26-31. The daily recognition of the death of our old nature is essential, just as being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit is essential.
Today I have learned what it means to be saved.
I have sincerely taken the seven steps outlined here and reverently prayed the prayer.
I believe I have received Jesus Christ in my own life. I am now a new creature. I commit my life to do my best to please Him in all that I think, say, and do. With His grace and help, I will share Jesus Christ with others.
If you have just received Jesus as your personal Savior, we want to hear from you!