New Life

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Salvation

The word salvation includes forgiveness of sins, restoration, healing, help, safety, victory, freedom and provision. Jesus Christ is the author of our salvation. His death on the cross and His resurrection made atonement for the sins of the world. Those who are humble enough to acknowledge their need of forgiveness and restoration with God are saved through Jesus Christ. Salvation is freely offered to all men but is conditioned upon their repentance and faith in Christ.

Jesus said, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” John 12:48.

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

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31.

Jesus, our Saviour, is also our Provider, Defender, Advocate, Rescuer, Preserver, Helper, Protector and Lord.

Eight Spiritual Laws of the Kingdom of God.

The whole universe is governed by laws. There are natural and spiritual laws. Spiritual laws were established by God to maintain the perfect order of the universe.

1. God loves you.

“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.” John 3:16.

God hates sin but loves all sinners. Man’s disobedience separated him from the original purpose that God had planned for him. Man was made in the image of God with power and authority to live a victorious, prosperous and abundant life.

2. Man is sinful and separated from God.

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

Mankind is born with a natural tendency to rebel against God. Children are born with a ‘sin nature’ and therefore all mankind are in need of restored relationship with God our Heavenly Father, through His Son Jesus Christ.

3. The consequence of sin is eternal separation from God.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

Our inherent sin nature causes us to live a life without God’s covenant blessing, protection and provision. It also means that unless we are restored to God through Jesus Christ we would not inherit eternal life with God after death.

4. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

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

5. God has a plan for all His children.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10.

Every believer in Christ is a leader in His Kingdom and with significant value and purpose.

6. God will never leave nor forsake you.

“And surely I am with you always, to the every end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

7. God plants you and position you in His local Church so that you can prosper, grow and fulfill your destiny.

“Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13.

8. God expects you to win souls and make disciples.

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 10:1-9.

The New Birth

Salvation is also called being “born again”.

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We were born in the natural by human parents and we inherited their genes, nature and physical characteristics. To be born again is to receive the Holy Spirit of God who gives us spiritual life and the nature and mind of God. We become God’s “offspring”, “children”, and “family”. We now belong to the family of God.

The new birth is a creative act of God that comes by the believer’s faith in God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. A miracle happens as we receive a new heart and our spirit becomes one with God. We become children of God, born of His Spirit and heirs of His Kingdom.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.

Benefits of the New Birth

1. Your spirit becomes alive with God for communication, fellowship with Him as a member of His family.

2. Your spiritual eyes are opened. You can now receive and understand spiritual things.

3. You have moved from darkness into light.

4. You are no longer under the dominion of Satan.

5. Your sins are forgiven so you can be free from guilt.

6. You can now live a purpose-driven life.

7. You receive an inheritance with the family of God.

8. The Holy Spirit of God lives within you.

9. You are eternally secure in Jesus Christ.

10. You are blessed and highly favoured.

11. Heaven is your eternal home.

“What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32.

Pray this prayer of salvation:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I thank you for loving me and for dying on the cross for my sins. I know that I am imperfect and in need of the grace of God. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins and failures. I now invite you to come into my heart and save my soul. I trust you as my Saviour and Lord and commit myself to join in the fellowship of your church as a member of the family of God. I will serve you with a grateful heart.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

How to Grow in Christ

The Apostles and early church Christians:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47.

Their actions included commitment to Bible teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer, miracles, unity, helping each other, small group fellowships in home and temple, Church meetings, praise and worship, sharing the good news with pre-believers, enjoying fellowship with God, the apostles and each other.

There are Seven aspects to your growth in Christ:

1. Daily Prayer. Ps 88:13; Mat 6:9-13.

2. Daily reading and meditating on the Word of God. Ps 119:9-11.

3. Christian fellowship. Heb 10:25.

4. Regularly participate in communion. 1 Cor 11:23-26.

5. Giving back to God in tithes and offerings. Mal 3:6-12.

6. Sharing your faith with others. Acts 5:42

7. Significant Service. Eph 2:10[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]