Salvation is very simple and yet a mystery that defies human logic. There are four elements necessary for a genuine transformation to take place.
| I. Man needs to know something about GOD. |
II. Man needs to know something about himself. |
| III. Man needs to know something about the Gospel |
| IV. Man needs to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. |
I. Man needs to know something about GOD.
There is only one GOD!
He is HOLY - pure & sinless. |
He is the CREATOR - Owner, Author, Sovereign. |
He has all POWER - Nothing HE cannot do. |
He is EVERLASTING - Same yesterday, today, forever. |
He is SUPREME - No power greater or over HIM. |
He is SOVEREIGN - As GOD, HE has all authority and is in control. |
Once man knows something about the nature and character of GOD, he begins to look at himself.
II. Man needs to know something about himself.
Before a man can get saved he must know he is lost.
Romans 3:10 - As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 - For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;
Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Sin has kept man separated from a Holy GOD. According to the Bible ALL men are sinners and are lost and without hope if left to themselves.
III. Man needs to know something about the Gospel.
When man (I) knows GOD is HOLY and (II) knows man is lost then man is ready to (III) learn about the Gospel.
The "Gospel" is "The Good News"
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
John 3:16 - 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.
GOD did not set up a standard for man to obtain before man could be saved and restored to GOD.
GOD paid the price for sin so man could be restored to fellowship with GOD.
Romans 5:8 - But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 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.
JESUS, GOD's SON, died in man's place on the cross that man might, by faith in JESUS, be forgiven for his sin.
I Corinthians 15:1-4 - "...I declare unto you the Gospel...By which also ye are saved,...how that CHRIST died for our sins;...HE was buried, and HE rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
That is the Gospel.
IV. Man needs to be ENLIGHTENED by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:17 - That the GOD of our
LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of HIM:
18 - The eyes of your understanding being ENLIGHTENED; that ye may
know what is the hope of HIS calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance
in the saints,
19 - And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power toward us who believe,
according to the working of the greatness of HIS mighty power.
When man knows about GOD and knows about himself and understands the Gospel story about JESUS dying on the cross for man, his mind is being ENLIGHTENED by the Holy Spirit.
Once the Mind is ENLIGHTENED by the HOLY SPIRIT, man can exercise his will. He can accept GOD's grace, by FAITH. Putting his trust in the finished work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST on the cross pays for his debt of sin. He becomes a child of GOD with all the benefits and privileges the LORD offers.
GOD has allowed man to have a will. He can also reject GOD's love, remain in sin and be separated forever from GOD.
If you understand something about GOD, Man, The Gospel, and the HOLY SPIRIT has ENLIGHTENED your mind, pray right now, and accept GOD's loving forgiveness. He wants to forgive you and make you his child.
If you still have questions, or just need to talk to someone about your relationship with God, please feel free to email pastorbud@kibcfm.org