Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It’s a matter of FAITH.

F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God’s forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, “In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” But forgiveness is not automatic. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,” says Matthew 7:21a.

I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent – or turn – from our sin and from ourselves. “But unless you repent, you too will all perish,” Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life “to the full:” “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b).” In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3).”

So how can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.

You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don’t need fancy words – only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.

Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:

• Follow Christ’s example in baptism.
• Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
• In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
• Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.

Taken from the F.A.I.T.H out line http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D164091%252526M%25253D200806%2C00.html

FAITH Banquet

I have to tell you that I am excited about having our first FAITH Banquet on July 22. It’s been an exciting 16 weeks. FAITH is an evangelism strategy that marries Sunday School and evangelism together. The teams are made up of a of two men and one woman from one Sunday School class and they make visits to prospects that are their age! They encourage those being visited to come and be apart of the Family oriented small groups as well as sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

FAITH is an opportunity for every person at HSMBC to become Great Commissioned Christians as well as an opportunity for Faith building as this prepares and teaches you to become a disciple for Jesus Christ. My friend and brother, Michael Lewis, will be our special guest speaker on the 22 of July. The church where Bro. Michael pastors, is the largest church in America where 500 plus members are active in sharing Jesus through the FAITH Evangelism Strategy within the Austin area. Some of those who participate are TX State Senators and even the VP of Dell! After we spend time in fellowship and food Bro. Michael will encourage us with a challenge to make a commitment to the next semester (16 weeks) which will start in the fall.

My prayer is for those who want to be used in God’s Kingdom by allowing God to have His way in their lives. Can God use you? Yes He can! Would you be part of the Great Commission that Jesus has given this church? It’s a wonderful blessing! Come and be a part of the blessings at HSMBC, connecting to God through loving Him and others!

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Thoughts from my Spiritual Journel

Spiritural Insight

Psalm 78:35- 38 - They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their Redeemer. But they decieved Him with their mouths, they lied to Him with their tounges, their hearts were insincere towrd Him and they were unfaithful to His covenant. Yet He was compassionate; He atoned for their guilt and did not destroy them. He often turned His anger aside and did not unleash all His wrath.

Application

God’s grace is amazing. I often wonder, could I have the patience that God has towards man kind? Probably not… I get upset when I have to ask my son to take out the trash more than once! But look at God’s patience - We claim Him to be our Savior and our Redeemer. We commit our lives to Him, follow Him in baptism and then join a local church. Then deny Him in our daily lives by not keeping our end of the deal by not living for Him. These people the Psalmist is refering to isn’t much differant from the 21 century Christians of today. But God’s patience and grace abounded. Think about it – God has a right to kill us for our disobediance, but He choses not to. I’m reminded of my Savior hanging on the Cross looking upon a people that hated Him. He could have come off the cross and zapped man kind into mush, or better yet called to His angels and said, “Sik um”. Instead He chose to show compassion. What a mighty God we serve!

Prayer

Lord, help me to be more like Christ today. When I lose patients, let me respond with gratitude and compasion so other can see the Love of Jesus in me! Forgive me when I fall into temptation and when I don’t meet the expectations for the will you have for my life. I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.