ISAIAH 12:2 - Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
TESTIMONIALS
What is the importance of Christian salvation?
This is a question that many people ask, especially those who are curious about Christianity or who are seeking God. Salvation is the core of the Christian faith, and it is the reason why Jesus Christ came to this world and died on the cross. Salvation means being saved from sin and its consequences and being reconciled to God through faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not something we can earn by our works or efforts. Salvation is also a personal relationship with God, not just a ticket to heaven. Salvation is the most important decision we can make in our lives because it affects our eternal destiny and our present joy. Salvation is the only way to have peace with God and to experience His love and forgiveness. Salvation is the hope of every Christian, and the message we are called to share with others.
Why do we need salvation?
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, and that the wages of sin is death
Romans 3:23; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23; For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sin separates us from God, who is holy and righteous, and prevents us from enjoying His presence and blessings. Sin also leads to spiritual and physical decay, and ultimately to eternal punishment in hell.
What are the benefits of salvation?
Salvation is not only a future hope, but a present reality. When we are saved, we become children of God, and heirs of His kingdom…
Galatians 4:4-7; 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
We are forgiven of all our sins, and justified before God…
Ephesians 1:7; In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Romans 5:1; Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, who helps us to grow in holiness and obedience…
1 Thessalonians 5:23; And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23; 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We are also given spiritual gifts and abilities to serve God and His people…
1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom*; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit*; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles*; to another prophecy*; to another discerning of spirits*; to another divers kinds of tongues*; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
We have access to God's throne of grace, where we can find help in time of need…
Hebrews 4:16; Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have peace with God, and joy in His presence…
Romans 5:1-2; 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Psalm 16:11; Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
We have a purpose and a destiny in God's plan…
Ephesians 2:10; For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
And we have the assurance of eternal life with God in heaven…
John 10:27-28; 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Revelation 21:1-4; 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
How can we live out our salvation?
Salvation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. We need to continue to abide in Christ, and follow His commands…
John 15:1-17; 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot* bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing*. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein* is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever* ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Matthew 28:19-20; 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We need to renew our minds with God's Word, and resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil…
Romans 12:1-2; 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
James 4:7-8; 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
We need to pray without ceasing, and depend on God's grace and power…
1 Thessalonians 5:17; Pray without ceasing.
Philippians 4:13; I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We need to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves…
Mark 12:30-31; 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this*, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Galatians 5:14; For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
We need to share the gospel with others, and make disciples of all nations…
Mark 16:15; And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
And we need to look forward to the return of Christ, who will complete our salvation, and reward our faithfulness…
Titus 2:11-14; 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly*, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Revelation 22:12; And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
How can we receive salvation?
The Bible also tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins…
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.
Jesus paid the price for our sins, and rose from the dead, defeating death and Satan. He is the only way to God, and the only name by which we can be saved…
John 14:6; Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12; Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
To receive salvation, we need to realize that we are all sinners, repent of our sins, know in our hearts that Jesus died on the cross as a sinless one and took upon himself all the sins of the world, and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Repentance means turning away from our sinful ways, feeling repentant in our hearts for our sins, and turning to God. Belief means trusting in Jesus as the Son of God, who died for us and rose again. When we do this, we are born again by the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in us and transform us into the image of Christ…
John 1:12-13; 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:3-8; 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot* see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can* he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot* enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
One of the most powerful ways to share the gospel with others is to tell them your personal story of how Jesus changed your life. Your testimony is a unique and personal witness of God's grace and love in your life. Here are some tips on how to share your Christian testimony:
– Pray and ask God to guide you and give you the right words to say.
– Start with a brief introduction of who you were before you met Jesus. What were your struggles, fears, hopes, and dreams?
– Explain how you came to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. What led you to make that decision? How did you hear the gospel? What was your initial reaction?
– Share how your life has changed since you became a Christian. What are some of the benefits, blessings, and challenges of following Jesus? How has your relationship with God, yourself, and others improved?
– Be honest, humble, and respectful. Don’t exaggerate or embellish your story.
– Trust God to use your testimony for His glory and the salvation of others.
Hearing the salvation stories of others can be a powerful way to strengthen our faith and encourage us to share our own testimony. When we listen to how God has worked in someone’s life, we can see His grace, love and power in action. We can also learn from their struggles, challenges and victories. Hearing the salvation stories of others can inspire us to seek God more, to trust Him more and to praise Him more. It can also motivate us to tell others about what He has done for us and how He can save them too.
I was born pretty early, my parents were told to say goodbye she won’t make it through the night. But God said I’m not done with her. I was born with a bone disorder and had my first break at 9 month old a hip. I continued to break throughout my life.
I always thought and felt my Mom didn’t want me or love me. I figured she never wanted a daughter. Growing up I remember the beatings. I begged her as adult to please look at me and tell me just once that she loved me. To no avail.
Thank God I had a big brother that always loved me, and taught me and took care of me, she loved him but so did I, he was my hero growing up.
I ended up in a world of drugs hanging out with dangerous people. As I was angry with God for 35 years of my life for giving me to a Mom that didn’t want me. I craved love from all the wrong people.
I had two children of my own by the time I was 21, I did my best to tell them and show I loved them, but I really didn’t know how but did my best.
I delt and did drugs and drank straight whiskey from the age of 12 way into my adult age to hold down the pain and emotions I didn’t want to feel. I had tried to kill myself 6 times over the years but God said no, and thought God didn’t want me either and would never forgive me anyway.
While I was working for a carnival for about 20 plus years , we actually started to have church at one spot every year, I was afraid to talk to Father John and ran and hid from him and he caught me three years later, I thought he would see me as pure evil. Well that year he ,we talked , I told him I didn’t deserve to be forgiven for the life I’ve lived and the thing I had done,and how I was angry with God and why.
Father John told me how I was God’s child and that he has always loved me, and how I could be saved and forgiven. A couple days later I was baptized with all the carnies kids.I learned and felt God did love me. I stopped dealing meth among other drugs. I lot of people were mad because I was everyone’s connection.
5 years later I left the carnival, started drinking only beer. Then justified I could drink wine because Jesus did, and smoke weed because God created this plant. This is when i started to actually read the Bible and truly found out that Jesus Christ died for my sins I was forgiven when i repented ask forgiveness and I accepted him as my Lord and Savior The closer I got to God the more I realized was making excuses. I asked for forgiveness from the ones I hurt, and forgave the oncs even my Mom, I was holding anger and hate for in my heart. I felt free and redeemed from the person I used to be. I now live my life to serve Jesus Christ as a Christian (no denomination). I spread the word and love and kindness to all as Jesus Christ teaches me. Im very thankful God wouldn’t let me die so many times in my life.
I love you sis!!!
Love you too Bro!