The Bible is the inspired and divine Word of God written by forty-four human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

It is God’s revelation of Himself and His plan for humanity, and it is perfect, unerring, self-authenticating, self-revealing and infallible.

The Bible is the ultimate and only source of absolute truth in the universe because it’s author, God Himself, is truth itself.

But what about those who do not have access to The Bible? Or those people who were never told about God? How would they know about Him? The Bible is clear on this point, saying that God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speak to the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator.

If you want to start your first journey in the Bible, but are unsure of where to begin, try starting with the Gospel of John (John) or Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Romans.)

Scripture References:

• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17

• “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:21

• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105

• “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” — Romans 1:20

God is the eternal, all-powerful Creator of the universe. He is holy, loving, just, and merciful.

He is one God in three distinct but equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which we refer to as the Holy Trinity, or Triune.

Most importantly for you and me, He made us. Since God is outside of time, He has known you and loved you since before the world existed. He formed you and breathed life into you, and you are beautiful His eyes. How could you not be? You were His idea!

What our Creator wants most of all is a deep, loving and eternal relationship with us. No different from a loving father wanting good and wonderful relationships with each of his children…only with a level of love and perfection that we as humans cannot comprehend.

How can we enter into this relationship with Him? By reading His word, talking with Him and listening to Him in our hearts, and worshipping Him.

I encourage you pray to Him openly and honestly, as a child to your Father: “Lord, I want to know you and know about you. Come into my heart and reveal to me the wondrous mysteries of your Word that I may be yours forever.”

Scripture References:

• “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” — Deuteronomy 6:4

• “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” — 1 John 3:1

• “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” — Psalm 145:8

• “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” — Genesis 1:26 (note the Trinity)

• “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” — Psalm 139:13

Jesus Christ is God.

Specifically, He is God in human form: fully God and fully man. He came to earth to save humanity from sin through His life, death and resurrection.

This can be challenging to wrap our minds around. How can a person be 100% God and also 100% human?

There have been countless theological explorations of The Incarnation, but the bottom line is this: God is not bound by the laws of nature, He is creator of them. Neither is He confined to the limited scope of human understanding, or the flow of earthly time as we are.

He is supernatural and powerful beyond our ability to comprehend, and in His literally infinite love and mercy that same all-powerful God became human to live the perfect life we could not, so that He could serve as the perfect sacrifice to pay for our immeasurable transgressions against him (sin).

Jesus is often referred to in The Bible as “The Son of God” and “The Son of Man”…these titles are not contradictory but describe Jesus’ two equal natures…fully God and fully human…both of which were necessary to redeem and save us.

Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

Now the best part…His salvation is free. All you have to do is receive it through faith.

Believe that He has saved you from eternal damnation and you are saved from eternal damnation.

I would encourage you to pray: “Lord, I am a sinner and cannot save myself. Thank you for loving me and sending Jesus, who never sinned, to take my place on the cross so that I can be forgiven and gain eternity in Heaven. I believe in Jesus. I give you my heart, Lord, fill me with you Spirit and wash me clean.”

Scripture References:

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1

• “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — John 1:14

• “I and the Father are one.” — John 10:30

• “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10

Sin is disobedience against God — failing to uphold and abide by his perfect law.

Our cultural vernacular often waters down the word “sin” to ascribe something is morally “wrong” within our own human experience and cultural. It’s a sin to murder, it’s a sin to steal, it’s a sin to lie, etc.

While that’s all true, sin is more than that to God. It is what separates us from Him eternally. Like light and darkness, they cannot cohabitate. A sinful, unholy people cannot be in the presence of a perfect and Holy God.

Mankind was not always sinful.

When mankind was created in the Garden of Eden, they were without sin. Adam and Eve, as they came from the hand of God their creator were upright and perfect.

When they willfully disobeyed God’s righteous law, however, sin entered the world and their righteousness was forfeit.

Their sin involved us all, and completely polluted all elements of the soul and body of every human being born of their lineage (all of humankind.)

The only human not born of their lineage is Jesus Christ. He was born sinless, the only human who ever has and ever will be.

Furthermore, He lived a sinless life, the only human who ever has and ever will.

He is fully God, incapable of sin, and yet fully human, and by his perfect, sinless life, He was able to serve as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity (all of them…every single one from the dawn of existence to last moment, whenever that will be.)

By accepting and believing in Jesus, it does not make you any less of a sinner, but it tacks your sin onto the ledger that Jesus paid in full. Your sin is forgiven, fully paid for by the perfect blood of Christ who took the punishment He did not deserve…the death you and I deserve.

PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS! THANK YOU!

Scripture References:

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

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

• “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8

“WAGES” MEANS YOU EARN WHAT YOU DESERVE

Paul uses the word wages on purpose — it’s a payment term. Just like you earn a paycheck for your work, sin also “pays” something out. In other words, death isn’t just a random consequence — it’s the natural result, the earned outcome, of sin.

Scripture References:

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

“SIN” IS REBELLION AGAINST GOD

Sin is rejecting God’s rule and going our own way (see 1 John 3:4, Isaiah 53:6). And because God is the source of life itself, when we separate ourselves from Him through sin, death follows. It’s like unplugging a lamp from the wall — darkness is the only possible result. Sin doesn’t just break a rule — it breaks our connection to the life-giver.

Scripture References:

• “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” — Romans 5:12

• “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.” — 1 John 3:4

• “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the sins of us all.” — Isaiah 53:6

“DEATH” MEANS MORE THAN PHYSICAL DEATH

When the Bible says “death,” it’s talking about three layers of it:

1. Physical death – Our bodies die because of sin. 

   “Until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” — Genesis 3:19

2. Spiritual death – Our souls are separated from God in this life. 

   “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” — Ephesians 2:1

3. Eternal death – The ultimate separation from God forever, often called the “second death.” 

   “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the fire.” — Revelation 20:14–15

So when Paul says “the wages of sin is death,” he’s not just saying people die someday — he’s describing the total disconnection from God that sin brings.

DEATH IS A JUST CONSEQUENCE FOR SIN

God is holy and just — He can’t simply ignore sin. His justice demands that wrongdoing be punished. Death is the inevitable outcome of sin — not because God is cruel, but because sin destroys everything it touches.

Scripture References:

• “The soul who sins shall die.” — Ezekiel 18:4

• “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” — James 1:14–15

JESUS TOOK OUR “WAGES” ON HIMSELF

On the cross, Jesus took the payment we had earned — death — and gave us His righteousness in exchange. Jesus essentially said, “I’ll take their wages.” And by doing that, took our punishment and exchanged it for life instead of death.

Scripture References:

• “He was pierced for our transgressions…the punishment that brought us peace was on him.” — Isaiah 53:5

• “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

• “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” — 1 Peter 3:18

Because sin separates us from a holy God, we can’t save ourselves.

Our every thought, action and moment in life is saturated by the sin of humanity.

“God’s Wrath” is a term you may have heard before. It is not that God hates you and wants to hurt you, it is His Holy reaction to sin.

God’s wrath is not like our anger. God does not fly off the handle. He does not lose control, and lash out in unpredictable anger. Neither is His wrath is not like our emotional anger, which can rise up and take control of our words and actions. God’s wrath is tied to His holiness; judgment is part of His perfection.

God is Holy, and He cannot be in the presence of sin. Like light and darkness, they cannot co-mingle.

Imagine if every moment you were alive you were racking up an incalculable debt. Trillions upon Trillions of dollars per nanosecond from the moment you emerged from the womb until the moment you drew your last breath. Then when you stood in front of God it was told you must pay the debt or be confined to Hell for eternity. You could never pay it.

Now imagine in that moment, Jesus steps forth with a cashiers check from an unlimited heavenly bank account and says “I will pay the debt and clear the entire balance. Do you accept?”

That is what happens when you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as Savior of your life. Your immeasurable, incalculable debt of sin against God is totally, completely and forever removed from your account.

You are no longer covered in the filth of sin, which God cannot tolerate. Now, when God looks at you, you are covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself God.

Scripture References:

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

• “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed” — Romans 2:5

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

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

BECAUSE SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD

From the very beginning, sin broke humanity’s relationship with God. Sin isn’t just a mistake — it’s rebellion against God’s holiness, and that creates separation. Without forgiveness, that separation means spiritual death — eternal separation from the source of life Himself.

Scripture References:

• “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.” — Isaiah 59:2

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

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

BECAUSE GOD IS JUST AND SIN MUST BE PUNISHED

God’s perfect justice means He can’t simply ignore sin or “let it slide.” Forgiveness still requires that the penalty for sin be paid — otherwise He wouldn’t be a just judge. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices symbolized this — a temporary covering for sin. But they couldn’t actually remove sin forever.

Scripture References:

• “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” — Hebrews 9:22

• God “will by no means clear the guilty.” — Exodus 34:7

• “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” — Hebrews 10:4

BECAUSE ONLY A PERFECT SACRIFICE COULD PAY THE PRICE

To satisfy both God’s justice and His mercy, someone sinless had to take the punishment humanity deserved. Only Jesus — fully God and fully man — was qualified. Jesus didn’t just die as a moral example — He literally took our place. He bore our punishment.

Scripture References:

• “You were ransomed... with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” — 1 Peter 1:18–19

• “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

• “But he was pierced for our transgressions... the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” — Isaiah 53:5–6

BECAUSE HIS DEATH SHOWS GOD’S LOVE AND OPENS THE WAY TO LIFE

God didn’t demand Jesus’ death out of cruelty — He gave His Son willingly because He loves us. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we’re offered forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life — not by earning it, but by believing and receiving it. Jesus’ death wasn’t defeat — it was the victory that made salvation possible for everyone who believes.

Scripture References:

• “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

• “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

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

THE RESURRECTION PROVES JESUS IS WHO HE SAYS

Anybody can die. Only God can raise Himself from the dead. The resurrection validated every claim Jesus ever made — that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. If Jesus had stayed dead, He’d have been just another religious teacher with a tragic ending. The resurrection is the divine stamp that says: EVERYTHING HE SAID IS TRUE.

Scripture References:

• “And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 1:4

• “Jesus said, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”’ — John 2:19–21 (talking about His body.)

IT PROVES THE PENALTY FOR SIN WAS FULLY PAID

The resurrection is God’s way of saying, “Debt accepted. Paid in full.” If Jesus had stayed in the grave, that would’ve meant sin still had power over Him — and us. But He rose, meaning the curse of death was broken. The empty tomb is the receipt proving that Jesus’ sacrifice worked.

Scripture References:

• “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” — Romans 4:25

• “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17

IT MEANS DEATH ITSELF HAS BEEN DEFEATED

Every human’s biggest problem — the one we can’t buy, earn, or charm our way out of — is death. But Jesus beat it. He walked out of His own tomb. That’s not symbolic; it’s literal victory over death. His resurrection means physical death isn’t the end for us either.

Scripture References:

• “Death has been swallowed up in victory... Where, O death, is your sting?... But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:54–57

• “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” — Romans 6:9

IT GUARANTEES OUR FUTURE RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE

Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just something that happened to Him — it’s the promise of what will happen to us. He’s called “the firstfruits,” meaning He was the first of many who will rise again. When He rose, He opened the door to eternal life for anyone who believes in Him.

Scripture References:

• “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep... For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20–22

• “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” — John 11:25–26

IT GIVES US LIVING HOPE AND POWER RIGHT NOW

The resurrection isn’t just a ticket to heaven — it’s a source of power and hope in this life. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in believers to give strength, transformation, and purpose. We’re not just forgiven — we’re made new.

Scripture References:

• “That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 1:19–20

• “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” — 1 Peter 1:3

Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ — not by our works, but by believing in Him and His finished work on the cross.

That’s it. Faith.

If our every thought, action and moment is corrupted by sin, which it is, there are no good works in the eyes of the Perfect and Holy God.

Our works are the very things that separate us from Him.

All you have to do is ask Jesus to enter your heart, absolve you of sin, and KNOW that in that very moment it has been done for you.

Scripture References:

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

• “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

• “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” — John 3:36

“GRACE” MEANS UNDESERVED FAVOR

Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. It’s His unearned kindness and mercy toward us — even when we’re guilty. In other words, you can’t earn grace by being “good.” If you could, it wouldn’t be grace anymore — it’d be wages.

Scripture References:

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

• “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” — Romans 11:6

“FAITH” MEANS TRUSTING IN WHAT GOD HAS DONE

Faith isn’t wishful thinking or blind hope — it’s trusting completely in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Faith is says, “I believe that what Jesus did is enough — and I’m staking my life on it.”

Scripture References:

• “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1

• “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” — Romans 3:22

MEANS SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT, RECEIVED BY TRUSTING HIM

The phrase “by grace through faith” sums up the Gospel in one line: God’s grace offers salvation freely, and our faith is how we accept it. Think of it like a hand reaching out to grab a gift — the gift is grace, and faith is the hand that receives it. 

Scripture References:

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9

IT’S NOT EARNED BY WORKS OR RELIGION

No amount of good deeds, moral behavior, or religious effort can make us right with God. Faith doesn’t earn salvation; it simply receives it.

Scripture References:

• “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” — Titus 3:5

• “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” — Romans 4:4–5

FAITH ITSELF IS AN ACT OF SURRENDER, NOT SELF-EFFORT

Faith isn’t about believing hard enough — it’s about giving up on self-reliance and depending entirely on God’s grace. It’s a shift from “I can fix myself” to “I trust Jesus to make me new.”

Scripture References:

• “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live... I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20–21

• “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:12–13

GRACE DOESN’T JUST CHANGE WHERE WE END UP — IT CHANGES HOW WE LIVE HERE

When we really understand grace, it doesn’t make us lazy; it makes us grateful. Grace transforms us from the inside out. Grace is not an excuse to keep sinning…as if to think ‘anything I do will be forgiven so I’ll just keep on doing it’…it empowers righteousness and repentance.

Scripture References:

• “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” — Romans 6:14

• “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.” — Titus 2:11–12

WE ARE FORGIVEN AND MADE RIGHT WITH GOD (JUSTIFIED)

The instant someone puts their faith in Christ, their sins are completely forgiven, and they’re declared “righteous” — not because they earned it, but because of what Jesus did. Justification means God no longer sees you as guilty — He sees you as clean, because of Jesus.

Scripture References:

• “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1

• “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

WE BECOME A NEW CREATION

Salvation isn’t just forgiveness — it’s transformation. God doesn’t patch up your old life; He gives you a new one. You’re spiritually reborn — that’s what Jesus meant by being “born again.”

Scripture References:

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

• “Put off your old self... and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:22–24

THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO LIVE INSIDE US

When someone is saved, the Holy Spirit — God’s own Spirit — takes up residence in their heart. He guides, convicts, comforts, and empowers believers. You’re never alone again — God literally moves in.

Scripture References:

• “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit... who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” — Ephesians 1:13–14

• “He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth… He lives with you and will be in you.” — John 14:16–17

WE BEGIN TO GROW AND CHANGE (SANCTIFICATION)

Salvation happens instantly; sanctification happens over time. It’s the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus — learning to live out the new life you’ve been given. You’ll still struggle with sin, but the direction of your life changes — from serving self to serving God.

Scripture References:

• “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6

• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

WE BECOME PART OF GOD’S FAMILY

You’re not just saved from something — you’re saved into something: God’s family. You become His child. That means you have a Father in heaven and brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.

Scripture References:

• “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:12

• “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” — Romans 8:15–17

OUR DESIRES BEGIN TO CHANGE

Before salvation, sin ruled your heart. After salvation, the Holy Spirit begins changing your desires — giving you a hunger for righteousness and truth. It’s not about following rules out of fear — it’s about following God out of love.

Scripture References:

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22–23

• “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4

WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH

Salvation doesn’t mean sitting on your hands waiting for heaven. You’re called to live out your faith through good works, service, and love. Faith produces action — it shows the world what God has done in you.

Scripture References:

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

• “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” — James 2:26

WE HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY AND HOPE

Once you’re saved, your eternity is settled. You belong to Christ, and nothing can separate you from His love. You’re secure — not because you hold onto God tightly, but because He holds onto you.

Scripture References:

• “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” — John 10:28–29

• “Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39

REPENTANCE MEANS TURNING AWAY FROM SIN AND TURNING TOWARD GOD

The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means a “change of mind” — not just guilt or regret, but a total change in direction. It’s like making a U-turn on a road trip when you realize you’ve been going the wrong way. Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad — it’s about changing direction.

Scripture References:

• “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” — Acts 3:19

• “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them.” — Isaiah 55:7

• “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” — 1 Thessalonians 1:9

IT IS REQUIRED FOR SALVATION

Faith and repentance go hand in hand. You can’t truly believe in Jesus without turning from sin, because you can’t follow Him while running the opposite way. Repentance isn’t about earning forgiveness — it’s how we receive it.

Scripture References:

• Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” — Luke 13:3

• “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” — Mark 1:15

• “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.’” — Acts 2:38

REPENTANCE ISN’T JUST SURFACE-LEVEL REGRET, IT IS GENUINE SORRY OVER SIN

True repentance comes from the heart — a sorrow over sin that leads to change, not just an emotional apology. It is owning your sin, leaving it behind and turning back to God.

Scripture References:

• “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” — 2 Corinthians 7:10

• “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” — Psalm 51:17

IT IS ONGOING, NOT ONE-AND-DONE

Even after salvation, Christians keep repenting. It’s not a one-time act — it’s a lifelong rhythm of confessing, correcting, and drawing closer to God. Repentance is like spiritual maintenance — it keeps your heart aligned with God.

Scripture References:

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

• “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” — Revelation 2:5

• “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13

REPENTANCE PRODUCES VISIBLE CHANGE

When someone truly repents, you can see it in their life — their actions, habits, and relationships start to change. It’s not about perfection, but direction. Your life starts pointing toward Jesus instead of away from Him.

Scripture References:

• “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” — Matthew 3:8

• “They should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” — Acts 26:20

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE, NOT WORKS

This is the foundation. No amount of good deeds can make a person right with God. Salvation is a gift — not a paycheck. So, works don’t save us. They don’t buy grace. Grace can’t be earned — period.

Scripture References:

• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

• “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” — Titus 3:5

BUT TRUE FAITH ALWAYS PRODUCES GOOD WORKS

If your faith is real, it shows up in your life. It changes what you do, how you treat people, and how you live. Faith is the root; good works are the fruit. If there’s no fruit, it’s fair to question whether the root is alive.

Scripture References:

• “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17

• “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” — James 2:26

GOOD WORKS ARE THE EVIDENCE OF A CHANGED HEART

When you truly meet Jesus, something shifts. Your desires change. You start doing good — not to earn God’s love, but because you’ve experienced it. Good works are like the spiritual pulse that shows a heart made new.

Scripture References:

• “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

• “By their fruit you will recognize them… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” — Matthew 7:16–18

GOD PREPARED GOOD WORKS FOR US

We weren’t saved to sit still — we were saved to serve. God actually planned good works for every believer to walk in. Good works are how we reflect God’s character to the world.

Scripture References:

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

• “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16

GOOD WORKS SHOW OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND OTHERS

Jesus made it clear: the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. Good works flow naturally out of that love. Love is the fuel for good works — not guilt, not duty.

Scripture References:

• “If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15

• “Serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” — Galatians 5:13–14

GOOD WORKS GLORIFY GOD, NOT US

We don’t do good to look holy — we do it to point people back to Him. If our good works make us look good instead of Him, we missed the point.

Scripture References:

• “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” — 1 Peter 2:12

• “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17

GOD WILL NEVER LET GO OF A TRUE BELIEVER 

Once someone is genuinely saved — truly born again — their salvation is secure forever. You can fall, stumble, sin, or backslide, but you can’t undo what Christ did on the cross. Why? Because salvation is God’s work, not yours. Because salvation depends entirely on God’s grace, not human effort, then you can’t “lose” it through human failure. You didn’t earn it — so you can’t un-earn it.

Scripture References:

• “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” — John 10:28–29

• “For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39

• “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit… guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” — Ephesians 1:13–14

• “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6
  

BUT A BELIEVER CAN WALK AWAY OR REJECT SALVATION

While salvation is a gift from God, believers must continue in faith — and it is possible to reject or abandon that faith. In other words, grace can’t be “lost” by accident, but it can be willfully rejected. Salvation involves an ongoing relationship with Christ — one that requires perseverance. God won’t revoke your salvation, but you can walk away from it through unbelief or rebellion.

Scripture References:

• “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” — Hebrews 10:26–27

• “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it… they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” — 2 Peter 2:20–21

• “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” — 1 John 2:19

Here’s the practical reality: A person who’s truly saved will bear lasting fruit. Someone who appears saved, but later abandons the faith may never have truly known Christ in the first place. 

So, in that sense, the question isn’t “Can a person’s salvation be lost?” It’s “Was that person truly saved to begin with?”

The Bible gives a very clear answer about what happens when we die — and it’s radically different from any other worldview.

DEATH IS NOT THE END — THE SOUL CONTINUES

The Bible teaches that when our physical body dies, our soul and spirit live on. Death is basically a separation — not of existence, but of body and soul. So for the believer, death is not the end — it’s a transition into the presence of God.

Scripture References:

• “And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7

• “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8

BELIEVERS GO IMMEDIATELY INTO THE PRESENCE OF JESUS

The moment a follower of Christ dies, they are welcomed into His presence — not in a “soul sleep,” not in limbo, but consciously with the Lord. So, when a Christian dies — they go home. Their earthly body stays here, but their spirit is immediately with Jesus.

Scripture References:

• Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

• Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” — Philippians 1:21–23

THOSE WHO REJECTED CHRIST FACE JUDGMENT AND SEPARATION FROM GOD

For those who die without placing their faith in Christ, Scripture says they enter a state of separation from God — what the Bible calls hell or Hades. There’s no second chance or “purgatory” in Scripture — after death, our eternal destiny is sealed.

Scripture References:

• “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” — Hebrews 9:27

• “The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away.” — Luke 16:22–23

• “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” — Matthew 25:46

ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL BE RESURRECTED

At the return of Christ (the Second Coming), the Bible says all the dead — both believers and unbelievers — will be resurrected. Everyone gets a new body, but the destinies are very different. This is the moment when what was lost in Eden — eternal life in a perfect body — is restored for believers.

Scripture References:

• “A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out — those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” — John 5:28–29

• “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable.” — 1 Corinthians 15:52–53

THE FINAL JUDGMENT WILL CONFIRM EACH PERSON’S ETERNAL DESTINY

After the resurrection comes the Final Judgment — when Jesus evaluates every life.
For unbelievers, this is judgment for sin. For believers, it’s judgment for reward — not punishment. Believers are saved by grace and reap eternal rewards

Scripture References:

• “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne… and the dead were judged according to what they had done.” — Revelation 20:12–13

• “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for the things done while in the body.” — 2 Corinthians 5:10

ETERNAL DESTINATIONS

For Believers:

Heaven is not clouds and harps — it’s a renewed creation, free from sin, pain, and death, where we dwell with God forever. The Earth will be made new, and we will live forever WITH God there. 

• “God’s dwelling place is now among the people… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:3–4

• “My Father’s house has many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2–3

For Unbelievers:

Those who reject God’s offer of grace spend eternity separated from Him — a conscious existence outside His presence. Eternal torment, sorrow, grief, regret and pain in a place completely devoid of God’s love, mercy, goodness, truth and joy. 

• “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:9

• “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” — Matthew 25:41

• “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” — John 3:36

The bottom line is this: there are only two things you can do after you die here on Earth: either you accepted that Jesus paid your eternal debt, or you can spend eternity paying for it yourself.

It is the most important decsion you will ever make.