The Process of Salvation – How to be saved
Story:
Imagine a boy named Alex who loves exploring the forest near his home. One day, he wanders too far and gets lost. It’s getting dark, and Alex is scared. He doesn’t know how to get home. Then, he hears his dad calling his name. His dad has a flashlight and a map. Alex is so happy and relieved! He runs to his dad, who hugs him and says, “I’m here to bring you home, Alex.”
Just like Alex needed his dad to find him and bring him home, we need Jesus to save us and bring us close to God.
Steps to Accepting Jesus as Savior
- Realize You Need Jesus:
- Scripture: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV)
- Explanation: Like Alex realized he was lost in the forest, we need to understand that we are lost without Jesus because we all have sinned.
- Example: Imagine playing a game where everyone makes mistakes. In life, everyone sins, which means doing things that go against God’s ways. We need Jesus to help us find our way back to God.
- Believe in Jesus:
- Scripture: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31, NIV)
- Explanation: Just like Alex trusted his dad to bring him home, we need to believe that Jesus is God’s Son who came to save us.
- Example: Think of trusting a friend who always keeps their promises. Believing in Jesus means trusting that He is who He says He is and that He died and rose again to save us.
- Confess Your Faith:
- Scripture: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NIV)
- Explanation: Like Alex calling out to his dad and admitting he was lost, we need to confess that Jesus is our Lord and believe it in our hearts.
- Example: Imagine you’re telling everyone about your favorite superhero. When you confess your faith, you’re telling others that Jesus is your Savior and Lord.
- Invite Jesus into Your Heart:
- Scripture: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20, NIV)
- Explanation: Just like Alex running to his dad and being hugged, we need to open our hearts to Jesus and invite Him in.
- Example: Picture Jesus knocking on the door of your heart. You just need to open the door and invite Him in, like welcoming a special guest into your home.
The Role of Repentance and Faith
- Repentance:
- Scripture: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” (Acts 3:19, NIV)
- Explanation: Repentance is like making a U-turn when you realize you’re going the wrong way. It means turning away from sin and choosing to follow God’s way.
- Example: Think about when Alex realized he was lost. He needed to turn around and follow his dad. Repentance means admitting we’ve been going the wrong way and deciding to follow Jesus instead.
- Faith:
- Scripture: “And without faith, it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
- Explanation: Faith is like trusting that a bridge will hold you up when you cross it. It means believing in God and trusting Him completely.
- Example: Imagine you’re crossing a bridge over a river. You have to trust that the bridge will hold you up. Faith is trusting God and believing that He will do what He says.
Putting It All Together
- Admit You’re a Sinner:
- Scripture: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV)
- Explanation: Just like Alex admitting he was lost, we need to admit that we have sinned and need Jesus’ help.
- Believe Jesus Died for You:
- Scripture: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)
- Explanation: Like Alex trusting his dad to save him, we need to believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
- Example: Imagine someone taking your punishment for something you did wrong. Jesus did that for us by dying on the cross.
- Confess and Commit:
- Scripture: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NIV)
- Explanation: Just like Alex calling out to his dad and running to him, we need to confess our faith in Jesus and commit to following Him.
- Example: Think of promising to follow a leader you trust. When you confess and commit to Jesus, you’re promising to follow Him.
A Simple Prayer to Accept Jesus
If you’re ready to accept Jesus, you can pray something like this:
“Dear Jesus, I know I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I trust You as my Savior and invite You into my heart. Help me turn away from sin and follow You. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
Conclusion
Salvation is God’s way of rescuing us from sin and bringing us close to Him. Just like Alex needed his dad to find him and bring him home, we need Jesus to save us and bring us to God. By admitting we’re sinners, believing in Jesus, and inviting Him into our hearts, we can be saved. Repentance and faith are important parts of this process. Repentance means turning away from sin, and faith means trusting God completely. By following these steps, we can begin a new life with Jesus as our Savior.
