The ABC’s of Salvation

Do you have the same strong sense that life as we have always known it is about to change and that we are about to enter into a new unprecedented era of history? For the last 2,000 years, we have been living in a dispensation known as the “Church Age” or the “Age of Grace.” I believe that this time of grace is quickly approaching its end and that we are about to enter into a new period at warp speed, for which a multitude of people are wholly unprepared. This is why I believe it is of the utmost importance and with an urgency that I plead with you today if you are not a born again believer, to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, as now is the acceptable time of salvation. Because there are so many prophetic proofs pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ, my prayer is to explain the gospel (good news) in a simple way that can be understood and received by anyone who reads it. One of my favorite preachers to listen to is Pastor J.D Farag of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, who gives such a straightforward explanation of the gospel known as the ABC’s of Salvation. This is what I would like to share with you today.

The first step in the ABC’s of salvation is A, which means to ADMIT you are a sinner. One of the greatest barriers I encounter with people who are “religious or spiritual”, but have no real relationship with Christ, is that they think that they are a “good” person and good enough to go to heaven. Therefore, they do not take their own sin seriously, they do not understand what it means to be saved, or even recognize their need for salvation. But God in His word states in Psalm 14:3 that “No one is good, no not one,” and that we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The reason Jesus Christ, being the perfect spotless sacrifice, died on the cross for us, is because He loved us so much and there was no other way for us to be saved from the wrath and judgment to come. No matter how good our works are, we are wretched in the sight of a Holy and Righteous God and our good works could never be sufficient enough to earn ourselves a place in heaven. We simply need to humble ourselves, see our sin for what it is, and repent! Admitting that you are a sinner in desperate need of a Savior is the first step in the right direction; even this recognition of our desperate state is a gracious gift of God’s leading through the Holy Spirit. Praise be to God alone! We cannot take credit for any of it.

The second step in the ABC’s of Salvation is B, which means to BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him alone. This means that you must put your full trust and faith in the saving work of Christ, which He accomplished on the cross. You must believe that He was crucified, buried, and rose again to new life and that He has made the propitiation (payment) for our sins by His blood sacrifice. When a person depends on his or her own goodness for their salvation, they consequently spit in the face of God. Without realizing it, they reject the payment and sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for them and ultimately reject His free gift of salvation. Therefore, by rejecting the blood payment that Christ made on the cross, they essentially choose to pay for their sins with their own blood. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. So we must believe in Him, and Him alone.

Finally, the third step in the ABC’s of Salvation is C, which means to CONFESS that Jesus is Lord. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:10-13.

When we call upon the name of the Lord and are saved, Jesus miraculously changes our hearts and desires. By following Him, He ultimately wipes away past addictions, evil desires, and false idols that have crept into our lives. Not only does he save us, but He changes us!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.

The good news is that while we still have breath, it is never too late! Admit you are a sinner, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and confess that He is Lord. Our time in this present age is fleeting and the Rapture of the church is imminent. But even if the Lord tarries, He warns us that we are not promised tomorrow. Remember, He loved us so much that He paid the penalty for our sins and gives us this free gift of salvation, but we need to accept it and receive it. He is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all would come to repentance. Won’t you consider this today?