What's the plan of salvation?

 

To understand the outline of Salvation, we need to first understand what "Salvation" means. In simple terms, Salvation equals Rescue/Deliverance. What are we being rescued from, and what exactly do we need to be delivered from? SIN, sin, my dear family, is what we need to be rescued from. The worst part of this scenario is that we are unaware that we need deliverance. We are so lost and drunk in sin to the extent that we do not realize we need someone who can save us.

Now that we have outlined the basic role of salvation, which is to rescue/redeem/deliver us from sin, we can then proceed further to the "Plan of Salvation."

UNDERSTANDING THE PLAN OF SALVATION

1. You have a problem: The first step in understanding the plan of salvation is to realize that we actually have a "problem." We are definitely in a mess, a mess we have no idea how to get out of. We need to be aware of the situation on the ground. Let the sick person admit he/she is sick! Only then can the physician properly diagnose and fix you. Do not continue to go with the flow, which says, "It is completely normal, nothing is wrong with it." Everything is wrong with it! Everything, and you know it! Do not let us justify our wrong actions.

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3. There is only one solution: After realizing and admitting one has a problem, the next step is to look for a solution (a permanent one, to be specific), not a temporary or give & take solution. In this case, there is only one solution, and that is JESUS! That is why we call him our Savior! He only can save us from that pit of hell we are living in every day of our lives. He only knows your situation, and he only can properly fix you. His healing or deliverance is not temporary; it is permanent. Jesus makes you whole! Completely whole!

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5. We need to acquire this solution!: A dying man who knows he only has one solution would do anything, I mean absolutely anything, to get that solution. In our case, the only permanent solution we have is Jesus. But how do we access this Jesus? Do we need the help of a prophet/pastor/minister? Do we need to pay money? Do we need to travel a far distance just to see him? To be honest with y'all, none of the above is the right answer. The answer to this question is very simple and surprising. You only need to say this short prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I admit that I need help, this moment Lord I need you to come into my heart and take control, be my personal Savior. Make me a new man/woman in you. In Jesus' name, I have prayed.

Did you just say that short prayer? Then CONGRATS you have all access to Jesus Christ your Savior, Yes, that short, genuinely said, prayer is the key to a totally new life. No money paid, no kneeling, no intervention of a prophet/pastor, no sacrifice. Well, that shows how wonderful God can be, just a simple prayer said with all sincerity, and the door of access to Jesus Christ is wide open to us.

Repentance: Alongside acknowledging one's need for salvation and accepting Jesus as the solution, there is a vital component called repentance. Repentance involves a genuine turning away from sin, a change of heart and mind, and a commitment to follow Christ. It signifies a conscious decision to abandon a life dominated by sin and embrace a life aligned with God's will.

Baptism: Baptism is an outward expression of the inward transformation that occurs through salvation. It symbolizes the burial of the old self and the resurrection to a new life in Christ. While baptism doesn't save, it serves as a public declaration of faith and obedience to Jesus. It's an essential step in obedience to Christ's command and a powerful symbol of identification with Him.

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Upon receiving Jesus as Savior and embracing the plan of salvation, you need to experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit becomes a guide, comforter, and source of power in the Christian's life. This spiritual presence enables believers to grow in their relationship with God, understand His Word, and live out the principles of the Christian faith.

The plan of salvation extends beyond initial conversion; it involves a lifelong journey of growth and sanctification. Believers are called to continually mature in their faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them into the likeness of Christ. This ongoing process involves prayer, studying the Bible, fellowship with other believers, and living out the principles of God's Word.