The Plan of Salvation
Answer These Questions for Yourself
1. Can I Be Good Enough for Heaven?
A. We Are All Sinners
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 entered the world through Adam, and we are all born with a sinful nature.
B. Even Our Best Deeds Are Filthy Rags
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Our righteousness is as disgusting to God as the filthy rags used to wipe off the pus of leprosy during Bible times. When we try to put on our own righteousness, we become repugnant to a holy God.
C. Our Sin Is Infinitely Terrible
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Sin is infinitely terrible because it is committed against an infinitely holy God.
D. Take the Test
If you’re wondering if you’re good enough for heaven, take the 10 Commandments Test. This will help you see how you measure up to God’s perfect law.
2. What Is My Fate If I Die in My Sin?
A. A Righteous God Punishes Sinners
Isaiah 59:2
“And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
B. The Wages of Sin Is Death
Romans 6:23a
“For the wages of sin is death…”
Sin must be compensated.
C. The Destiny of Sinners
Matthew 25:41
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Revelation 21:8
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Matthew 13:41-42
“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Those who die in their sins will face eternal punishment in hell.
D. It Is an Abomination to Justify the Wicked
Proverbs 17:15
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.”
To justify the wicked is not merely wrong—it is an abomination to God. The word “abomination” refers to something that is utterly detestable, revolting, and offensive to God’s holy nature. God’s justice demands that sinners be punished, and to suggest otherwise is to insult His righteousness. He cannot and will not overlook sin; His wrath must be satisfied.
3. How Could God Possibly Accept Me into Heaven?
A. The Gift of Salvation
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Salvation is a free gift, paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross.
B. God Became a Man
John 1:1, 14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
Jesus, who was known as the Word, came down from heaven to become a man.
C. Jesus Bore Our Sin
Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Even when we were everything God hated as sinners, God still loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die in our place.
II Corinthians 5:21
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
D. Righteousness Through Christ
Romans 5:15-19
“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”
Just as sin came through one man (Adam), righteousness and grace came through one man (Jesus Christ).
E. Jesus Conquered Death
I Corinthians 15:21
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
Jesus rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death.
4. How Do I Receive God’s Gift of Salvation?
A. Understand That Salvation Is a Gift
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve. Instead of giving us what we deserve (hell), He offers us salvation through Jesus Christ.
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.”
Grace is God giving us what we didn’t earn by His unmerited favor. It is His kindness and love toward us, even though we are undeserving. Salvation is a gift, not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts.
B. Trust in Jesus Alone
1. To Be Your Saviour
II Peter 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Jesus is the only Saviour who can rescue us from sin and its consequences. Trusting in Him means acknowledging that He alone can save us.
2. To Be Your Payment for Sin
I Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Luke 22:42
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
The “cup” Jesus drank was the wrath of God for your sin. He became your payment for sin so you wouldn’t have to. Trusting in Jesus means accepting that He took the punishment you deserved.
3. To Be Your Righteousness
Philippians 3:9
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Jesus is our righteousness. We cannot stand before God on our own merits; we need His perfect righteousness. Trusting in Jesus means relying on His righteousness, not your own.
4. To Be Your Eternal Life
John 11:25
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
Jesus is the source of eternal life. Trusting in Him means believing that He gives you life that lasts forever, even after physical death.
5. Who Goes to Heaven and Who Goes to Hell?
John 3:18
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:36
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
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.”
The Bible is clear: those who trust in Jesus alone will go to heaven, and those who trust in themselves or anything else will go to hell.
6. If God Asked Me at the Gates of Heaven, “Why Should I Let You In?”, What Would I Say?
If your answer has anything other than Jesus, He cannot accept you. Trust in Jesus alone. He never fails to save!
John 10:9a
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Next Steps
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