Catholics: Ask yourselves this question: How did YOU get saved? How does ANYONE get saved? Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Confession, or whole life of sacraments in the Church won't save you! You get saved by acknowledging that you're a sinner and believing in Jesus!
This is how you get saved, by believing in the gospel of salvation!"I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4
IN SHORT:
1. Acknowledging our sinful nature. We are ALL sinners.
2. Believing Jesus died for our sins.
3. Accepting this truth in your heart — It needs to move from your brain to your heart.
LONGER EXPLANATION: God created Adam and Eve with body, soul, and spirit, and they lived in the presence of God. However, when they ate from the forbidden tree, they sinned against God, causing the Spirit of God to depart from them. From that moment on, we are all born as sinners, without the Spirit of God. That is why the Bible states,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23.
Consequently, we are all destined for eternal separation from God, which is Hell.
BUT!
"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
God sent His Son to save us from eternal separation from Him and to restore His Spirit within us. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life on our behalf, taking our place and dying for us on the cross. He shed His blood as a sacrifice for our sins. Now, because we are covered by His blood when God looks at us, He sees Jesus! When Jesus departed, God poured out His Spirit, and the Church was born. Now, all who hear the gospel of salvation and believe in Jesus receive the Holy Spirit —they are baptized in the Spirit. Our spirits are restored and prepared to return to God's presence. All of this happens through faith, hearing, and believing. You are sealed and ready for redemption once you are baptized in the Spirit.
The story doesn't end there! Jesus will come back for His Church, and all believers will be caught up to meet Him in Heaven. We will dwell forever in His presence, just as He intended from the beginning.
A Few more things to remember: Salvation is a free gift (grace) through believing (faith) - no works are required!
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Yes, we will do good works, as it is a byproduct of salvation because we're now guided by the Holy Spirit. However, those works are for rewards in heaven and not for salvation itself. If a person were to die today, having lived an evil life, but repented and believed in Jesus in their final moments, they would be saved, though they may not receive rewards. It is important not to overly focus on rewards, as we will humbly cast all our crowns at the feet of Jesus.
Our salvation is secured. The moment we believed we are sealed forever with the Holy Spirit until our redemption day is the rapture!
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13-14
Because I was a Catholic, I understand that you may have been taught some of this. However, I encourage you to allow all of this information to move from your brain to your heart! Get that time alone with God, in His word, He will direct your steps!
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