Sunrise Christian Reformed Church

Salvation

We’re glad you came to this section of our website! Perhaps it was mere curiosity that brought you here, or a genuine desire to really know God. Regardless of which, we urge you to read these steps toward God carefully, because applying them will change your life both now and for eternity!

1. Admit your spiritual need. On the outside we may look like we’re doing very well, but on the inside every one of us has a major issue: we’re all seperated from God through sin. We don’t always like to admit it, but it’s a fact. What is sin? It’s anything that falls short of the standard of perfection that God envisioned for us. This includes negative emotions such as nursing grudges, pride, jealousy, mixed motives, etc. We’re also guilty of sins of omission; that is, not doing what we know we should and could do.

Jesus said, “You must be perfect as My Father in heaven is perfect.” So unless a person is perfect, he is a sinner. Romans 3:23 puts it this way: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2. The result of sin is death. In Romans 6:23 we read, “The wages of sin is death.” Since every one of us has sinned, we face the ultimate and tragic consequence: eternal death, or separation from God.

One misconception about God is that He is out to get us or to punish us for our sins. The truth is, we bring sin’s punishment upon ourselves by rejecting God and His universal moral law. We are like a burned out (“dead”) electric light bulb that cannot respond to its power source. We are spiritually dead, and cannot respond to God’s love and power without God first “fixing” us. That’s why all the “good works” in the world cannot save us. Only God can change us.

3. God has reached out to humankind. Since we can never measure up to God’s standard of perfection on our own, God has chosen, out of His love for us, to reach out to help us. Although we cannot solve the problem of sin, God—who is perfect—can and has! John 3:16-17 states, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him..”

In Romans 5:8 we read, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins—death. He died in our place, so that we wouldn’t have to face the eternal consequences of our sin.

The world’s many religions are all evidence of man’s endless search to find and reconnect with God. However, God’s Word, the Bible, says, “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.” Because He was without sin, Christ was the only one qualified to die for our sins. Had there been any other way to save mankind, He wouldn’t have had to die for us. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin; He is the only way back to God and the only door into eternal life.

4. Accept Christ’s Forgiveness. If you acknowledge that you are a sinner, repent from your sins, and accept the promise that Christ is the solution, you are at a crossroads. Either a.) you can reject God’s solution and accept the consequences, or b.) you can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. What must a person do to accept this gift? Simply receive it! Revelation 3:20 states, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.” Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks, seeking entrance into our lives. John 1:12 states, “For as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God.” His invitation is clear. All that remains is a response. If you would like to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life right now, pray a prayer something like this from your heart:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me.

Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer and sincerely meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken up residence in your heart! Not only that, but he has forgiven you of all your sin. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God also promises, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12). Your decision to receive Christ also means that you are now going to Heaven one day! That’s a lot to be thankful for! You need to take some practical steps to grow strong spiritually: read the Bible, pray, and attend a church that teaches the truth about Christ and His Word.

We at Sunrise Church would like to hear from you and send you some materials to help you grow in your relationship with Christ! Contact us at sunrisecrc@choiceonemail.com or call us at (765) 471-9548. May God bless you as you learn more about Him!