Hello Friends,
I had asked random people, what do you believe you have to do in order to obtain Salvation? I had received answers that went across the spectrum. Also I had went to a church where they told them that if they need to work in the church because their salvation depend upon it. Working the church is nice but they were missing an important part. So let us explore this question, “How do I obtain Salvation?”
It is useless to know how to obtain something you don’t know what it is. Therefore lets us look at the meaning of Salvation:
1: deliverance from the power and effects of sin.
3: preservation from destruction or failure
I had posted two definitions because they are pretty much the same. Sin came to the world by way of Adam, because of we all are born into sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23), however we can be made righteous through Jesus Christ (Romans 5: 11-20). That is the reason Jesus came and die on the Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for those that receive him..
So how can we obtain Salvation? Some gave me answers like if:
I just live right I will be saved: God Forbid, for there is none that is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10-12) and we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 and I John 1:8-9).
I work in the church, volunteer to a cause, or help others: Sorry that will not save you either, Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. (Titus 3:5) Also read (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Paul had to explain the same thing to the Jews in the book of Romans because the based their salvation on being the seed of Abraham, being circumcised, and having the law. However it is through Jesus they we can be saved. The condition to being saved is in, Romans 10:9-10 (this scripture is just about as important as John 3:16):
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
That is all it takes to be saved, if a church, preacher, or person proclaiming to be in the name of the Lord says differently you can either run or tell them about Romans 10:9-10.
Now I have a question for you. From reading on how to obtain salvation, are you saved? If not, I am going to ask you the question that Jesus asked the man at the pool at Bethesda (John 5:1-9). Do you want to be made whole(well)? If so I ask that you find a good church home that preaches the gospel. Please I am serious when I state this, that you go to a church that the gospel is being preached (the full truth) and not what you want to hear. As stated in Romans 10:13-15:
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Some suggestions I can make are:
Huntsville:
The Fountain of Life Ministries and Covenant Ministries
Ames (Iowa):
Friendship Baptist Church, New Birth Baptist Church, and BCC
I have spoke with the pastors of each one those churches and have seen them walk after the way of the Lord. The pastors of these churches are great men of God and I believe they will not lead you wrong because they are following Christ as well. There may be others but I actually had communication one on one with each of the pastors of the churches I had recommended. I pray that at these words you hardened not your heart, and to God be the glory and honor forever, Amen.
May God continue to bless you,
Gregory Stargell
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I love you for blogging about this. I really do. ^_^ You even back it up with Bible verses so everyone can look them up and see that you aren't making it up! Yay!
But here's a suggestion for those that want to learn the Word of God, but are uncomfortable with the idea of going to church for whatever reason...
Find a contmporary service. My church is offerig one now, in which I get to make the powerpoints, and it's completely different from a traditional service. It's all song, and a message that you can really relate to your life, and (at least in my church and at those that I've been to) everyone is friendly and welcoming, and they won't put you on the spot.
As our welcome video says, we won't ask you to change your beliefs before coming. We just want you to come! That's how a church should be, in my opinion, and anyone who's ever been to a tradiional worship service and found it not to thir liking should most definitely attend a contemporary servic or two.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
Read the book "Blue like Jazz" by Donald Miller, everyone should read this book., and then maybe Matthew.
I agree. That is very good book. I had a hard time with his gender exclusive language at points... but for the most part, it was fantastic. I'm wanting to read "Girl Meets God" next - mostly because it is from a woman's perspective. And I'm a woman... :) (Blog idea...) Anyway, really good book.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
If I may ask, from where do you draw your faith?
I've lost my faith but I want to give it a chance because I see so many people with such strong faith that it feels like there must be something that makes christians so sure.
_____________
sig: haHA!
Even though you weren't asking me, I feel led to give you my answer to your question.
I'm so sure in my faith simply because of two experiences I've had. Both of these experiences, though vastly different, prove to me beyond all doubt that my faith is in the right place.
The first was on a night when there was a really bad thunderstorm that spwned a tornado near my house. I was completely terrified out of my wits, having a bad phobia of storms, and the only thing I could do was pray. And amidst my prayers, I suddenly felt as though someone had thrown a warm blanket over me and wrapped me in a hug, even though I was alone in my room. And I was suddenly calm. I knew then and there, without a doubt, that I was safe, and God was protecting me. I can't explain it any more than that.
The other was at a youth rally I went to. I was fully prepared to not enjoy it, because there were too many people, and I am uncomfortable around large numbers of people. But there was a speaker there, by the name of Justin Lookadoo. While he was speaking, I once again felt God's presence. I've felt my whole life that I wasn't worth anything. But right then and there, I once again felt those strong, invisible arms around me, and I knew that I was loved, and that in God's eyes, if no one else's, I had some worth.
I can honestly say I've been happier since, and much more confident in myself. Those two experiences brought me back to my faith and kept me there.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
My faith comes from the events I have heard in the bible but mainly from previous experiences that defies all knowledge. The devil had tried to take my life three times as I may know. One time when I was 7, I had drowned and they had diagnosed that I had been under water to long but one person gave me CPR and I had gained my breathing again. When I got to the hospital, my parents were told that I would have brain damage. I am here to tell you that I graduated from High School with a 4.05 GPA. I have a BS in Physics with a minor in Computer Science, a Masters in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and finishing up my first year in the PH. D program in Physics/ Optics. I can go on and on about different miracles in my life but usually that testimony usually inspires others to believe. I am a living testimony, I know that it is not by my works alone but the God (Holy Spirit) in me. All I can say is trust God. He may not come when you want Him but he is always on time. Like an appointed time, it is never early or late but right on time. On top of faith, would be the need for patience because He may be setting you up for more than what you have requested because he knows us better than we do ourselves.
I hope this helps and I pray that God will strengthen you and Bless you. My email is greg_stargell@yahoo.com if you need to contact me for more information or prayer (this is for anyone reading). Remember God Loves You and I Do Too.
Greg
Religious Tolerance is a good place to find reasonably unbiased information about various religions (including Christianity). The site is run by a multi-faith group whose goal is simply to provide accurate information on religions.
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I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge