For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:23}

The good news is that Jesus Christ is the Savior we desperately need. Jesus redeems us from the penalty of sin and saves us from condemnation and eternal punishment in Hell. God has provided the means for us to be forgiven of our sins, deemed righteous, and reconciled with him. The means of redemption was established when Jesus was nailed to the cross to die in substitutionary atonement for mankind’s sins. He endured the penalty for our sins so we could enjoy peace with God and receive the benefits of being his beloved children – benefits we enjoy both in this life and the next.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ^{John 3:16-17} 

He was then resurrected, which confirmed his deity and the effectiveness of his atonement for us. The resurrection of Jesus proved that he is who he claimed to be and that everything he said is true. Jesus defeated death, and the promise is that we, too, will be resurrected to eternal life.

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: ^{Romans 1:3-4}

Securing Salvation

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.^{Romans 10:9-10}

The Word of God is clear on how one is deemed righteous and saved from the wrath of God: believe and confess.

• Believe that Jesus was God incarnate, that he was crucified to atone for your sins, and that he was raised from the dead and is alive, seated at the right hand of his Father in Heaven.  To “believe in thine heart” means having a deep personal conviction. This belief goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is a confident, immutable, and resolute truth held in your heart.

• Confess is to affirmthat Jesus is the Lord of your life. It is crucial to understand that this confession is not a mere utterance but a sincere proclamation from your heart. It affirms that you no longer live for yourself; your priority now is to live in obedience and to follow him. Jesus must be in charge, not you. Saving faith is belief combined with submitting to Jesus’s lordship. Belief alone, without surrendering to his authority, will not save you from Hell.

How does one come to saving faith?

What brings someone to the point where they believe and confess? The Word of God is also clear on this.

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Hearing means being receptive to and understanding the message of the gospel of Jesus. When the good news is heard, God will compel belief and then faith. To “hear” is often a process. Listen to the Word, read the Word (four books you might start with are John, Romans, James, and 1st Peter), visit a good church, pray, and try to understand. You should pursue this until you draw a conclusion or no longer have an interest. Belief may come quickly, take 30 years, or never come.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

The work of God is transformation, and the response of man is repentance. Those who respond to God’s call and believe experience an awakening of their soul and spirit. This renewal is a divine act by the Holy Spirit that grants spiritual life to those who were spiritually dead in their sins.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ^{Ephesians 2:4-5}

Now spiritually alive, aware of our wretched nature and grateful for God’s mercy and grace, we repent. Repentance involves a fundamental change of heart, mind, and direction; it means turning away from sin and toward God, toward obedience to his commands. It is an active conscience – a deep internal awareness that judges our actions against the moral, holy truth we embrace, which drives our repentance.  

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. ^{Acts 3:19}

Faith is a gift from God. Saving faith is an undeserved gift by the grace of God; there is nothing you can do to earn it, but you can choose to reject it.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}