How to Know God

Why Do We Need to Be Saved?

The word “saved” means being rescued—not just from something, but to something. It means being rescued from the guilt and judgment our sins deserve, and being restored to the relationship with God we were created for.

The Bible says that every person has sinned (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just bad behavior—it’s rebellion against God. It is choosing to live our own way instead of His. And because God is perfectly fair, sin has real consequences. The punishment for sin is spiritual death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).

But this is not where the story ends.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16

This verse is not just about where we go when we die—it’s about being restored to God now. It’s about entering a real, personal relationship of trust, surrender, and love with the God who made us.

The Problem of Sin

From the beginning, when the first humans turned away from God, the human heart has been bent toward sin. We’ve all done wrong—we’ve lied, envied, hated, acted in pride, used others, indulged in selfishness or lust, or tried to live without God. These are not just mistakes—they are violations of God’s perfect standard. We are not merely “imperfect”; we are guilty.

God is not like us. He is holy, perfectly righteous, and He cannot ignore sin. But He is also full of love and mercy, and instead of leaving us in judgment, He made a way to rescue us.

Who Is Jesus?

Jesus Christ is not just a prophet or teacher. He is God Himself, who came to earth as a man—fully God and fully human—to save us.

He lived the sinless life that no one else could live. He loved perfectly, obeyed perfectly, and never sinned. Then, in love, He laid down His life, willingly dying on a cross to take the punishment we deserved. This was not a symbolic gesture—it was a real exchange. He took our place.

Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, physically and fully alive. His resurrection proves that the payment for sin was complete, and that death had been defeated. He is alive today, reigning as Lord, and offering real life to all who come to Him.

“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8

What Must We Do?

1. We Must Believe

To be reconciled with God, you must believe—truly believe—that Jesus is who He says He is.

That He is the Son of God—fully God and fully man.
That He died in your place to take your punishment for sin.
That He rose from the dead and is alive.
That He is Lord, and that your life belongs to Him.

This belief is not a vague feeling or a shallow agreement—it is deep trust. It is faith that leads to surrender.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9

2. We Must Repent

To repent means to turn. It is not merely feeling bad about sin or saying sorry. It is a full and deliberate turning away from sin and rebellion, and a turning toward God in surrender.

Repentance is a non-negotiable. You cannot cling to sin and follow Christ at the same time. You must let go of your old way of life—your self-rule, your disobedience, your patterns of sin—and surrender your will to Him. That is the beginning of true life.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
—Luke 9:23

Repentance is not a half-hearted shift in attitude—it is a decisive rejection of sin and a turning to God in full surrender. A true believer lives in freedom. Sin is no longer their master, and by the Spirit of God, they walk in obedience.

Temptation still comes, but with it comes the power to resist. If a believer stumbles, they don’t excuse it—they confront it, confess it, and walk forward in renewed obedience. The Christian life is not about making peace with compromise, but about walking in the strength of the Holy Spirit, day by day, leaving behind sin and pursuing holiness.

What Is Salvation?

Salvation is not just being spared from hell. It is being made alive to God. You were made to know Him—to walk with Him, speak to Him, hear Him through His Word, and live every part of your life in relationship with Him.

When you turn from sin and trust in Jesus, you are forgiven, yes—but you are also adopted into God’s family, filled with the Holy Spirit, and given a new heart.

This is not a transaction—it’s a transformation. It’s the beginning of a real relationship with the living God.

“This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
—John 17:3

If You Are Ready

If you believe that Jesus is Lord…
If you know you have sinned against God…
If you desire to turn from your sin and surrender your life to Christ…

Then speak to Him—right where you are. You’re not just saying words into the air. You're speaking directly to God Himself.

Prayer doesn’t save you. Jesus does.
There’s no special wording that makes you right with God. What matters is your heart—genuine faith in Christ and true repentance from sin.

Still, prayer is a way to respond to Him—to confess your sin, express your trust in Jesus, and begin this new relationship with Him in humility and honesty.

Here is an example of how you might talk to Him:

“Lord, I know I have sinned against You. I’ve lived my own way, and I am guilty. But I believe that Jesus died for me and rose again. I believe He is Lord. I turn from all my sin and surrender my life to You. Please forgive me, fill me with Your Spirit, and teach me to follow You. I give You everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you’ve truly repented and trusted in Jesus, this is not the end of something—it’s the beginning.

Now What?

The Christian life is a lifelong journey of knowing God, growing in holiness, and living for His glory. Here are your next steps:

1. Read the Bible

This is how God speaks to you. Start with the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—to see Jesus’ life and words. Then read Romans to understand the gospel more deeply, and letters like James and Philippians to learn how to live as a follower of Christ.

Ask God to help you understand. You won’t grasp it all at once—but He will teach you.

2. Pray Every Day

Prayer is talking to God. Thank Him. Ask for help. Confess your struggles. Share your heart. You don’t need special words. Just be honest and sincere. This is a relationship, not a ritual.

3. Find a Biblical Church

Not every place that calls itself a church teaches the truth. Find a community that:

Preaches the Bible faithfully, clearly, and as the final authority
Keeps Jesus at the center—His life, death, resurrection, and return
Teaches full repentance, not self-help or emotional experience
Calls sin what it is, and calls people to genuine holiness
Cares for one another with accountability and love
Helps new believers grow in truth and obedience

“The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching... but will gather teachers to suit their own desires.”
—2 Timothy 4:3-4

If a church softens sin, twists Scripture, or tells you only what you want to hear, walk away. Find a place that tells you the truth—even when it’s hard.

4. Be Baptized

Baptism is a public declaration of your new life. Jesus commanded it. It does not save you, but it is a sign that you belong to Him. In baptism, you declare that your old life is buried, and your new life has begun with Christ.

A Final Word

This life won’t always be easy. Following Jesus means learning to let go of your old ways and letting Him lead every part of your life. But it is the only life that is truly free. Jesus does not call you to comfort—but to something far better. He calls you to truth, purpose, and glory.

This is not just about avoiding judgment. It’s about knowing God Himself. Walking with Him. Loving Him. Becoming more like Him day by day. Living for what you were made for.

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Thursday, August 11, 2022