God's Plan of Salvation

God's Word, the Bible makes the plan of salvation simple and clear. But just knowing the plan is not enough to be saved. First, we must see our own need for salvation.

This is the reason that God first gave us what we know as "The Ten Commandments" in Exodus chapter 20 which are:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

"other gods" according to scripture are any other thing to which people dedicate and devote thier lives and full attention

2. You shall not make for yourself and idol in the form of anything.

people make idols of any and everything from other people they admire (think: "American Idol"), to just things they admire, or things that represent what they admire (an example: some people make an idol of education or work- they may be very proud of the wall of their office that is decorated with many academic degrees and career accomplishments)

3. You shall not take the name of God in vain.

Most people have at times or do often use "God" Jesus" "Jesus Christ" "Lord Almighty" ect. as curse words to express disgust or displeasure about something. His Word says he will not hold people guiltless for breaking this command.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

God gave us this command, to remember He, as the Creator of the World, rested from work, and to give mankind a day of rest from labor. Because our culture makes a god of labor, we now have a culture that works 24/7!

5.Honor your father and your mother; with a promise: long life

6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not lie.

10. You shall not covet (or be envious) of anything that has been given to another.

Jesus summed it up and made it even easier to understand: The foremost command is love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself. On these commands depend the whole law and the prophets.

But He also took it to a further understanding: In Matthew 5, Jesus said that the law says do not murder, but that if we are angry or hate another, and say 'You fool!' we are in danger of hell fire! So it is not just our outward actions, but the attitudes and intent of our hearts for which God will hold us to account!

So, it is on this standard of perfection that ALL men will face judgment:

Hebrews 9:27 As it is appointed unto man once to die, and afterward judgement.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ

Upon which NO MAN will be found guiltless:

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

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

The bible has made it clear that when judged by the high standards of perfection, not one of us will escape the condemnation in which we already stand.

Most people have heard of John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son that whosoever beleives in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Many people are not aware, though, that verse 18 says that to him that does not believe, he stands condemned already!

Thank God for verse 17: For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 1:12 promises that 'as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His Name.'