Is That In The Bible? 16

~ Recite “The Sinner’s Prayer” To Be Saved ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  For example consider the statement: “You need to recite ‘The Sinner’s Prayer’ in order to be saved.”

The concept of a sinner needing to acknowledge and confess their sin is certainly Biblical—but there is no one magical “sinner’s prayer.”  What is required is a sincerity in asking for forgiveness based upon the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. 

Scripture  ~  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:14-18). 

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

Salvation Summary  ~  It’s as simple as A-B-C (Admit—Believe—Confess).

Admit:  Admit to God that you are a sinner.

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.  They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12).

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 

Believe:  Trust that Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Jesus to save you from your sin.

“Salvation is found in no else for there is other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“For Christ died for sins once in for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1Peter 3:18).

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

Confess:  Ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. Give your life to His control. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

 “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.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10). 

Summary:  First, Admit that you are a sinner.  Second Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for your sin.  Third, Confess Him to be your Savior. 

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:9-13). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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