Since I posted on your introduction about the isolation and rejection you are going through, it's good to see that you are encouraging yourself with the Scriptures. That's great! 🍵🙂👍
I posted a response there with a link that might be a blessing.
It happens to go into detail about this topic in a handful of minutes. I would take an open Bible and consider it. If you are like me, I have heard a lot of preachers on TV and at churches who I found myself considering what was really required for salvation. There were many opinions. In fact my half brother told his pastor that he led my Mom to Christ by telling her to give her life to Him. His pastor happily agreed.
This was the opposite of what I taught my brother many years earlier.
Why was that?
John 3:16 you doubtless heard. Think about it.
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It seems like a no brainier, but I found that most pastors I heard from media and even invited by my pastor, got this all important point backwards.
They taught that one must give their hearts or lives for the Lord to provide salvation. They were absolutely wrong. It is God the Father Who so loved the world that HE GAVE His only begotten Son.
You see, Jesus was the sinless Sacrifice, not us. We are sinful and unacceptable dirty sacrifices that cannot pay for sins.
This giving of our lives to Christ are contemporary works that people add that sound sweet and a tear to the eye, but are against God's precious all sufficient Sacrifice. Jesus alone gets the glory and credit for paying for the gift of everlasting life. Our only means of receiving it is to
believe.
The Father gave His Son.
The Son paid the price.
We receive it by faith in Him.
Hebrews 10
10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
...
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I encourage you friend.
Call upon Jesus Christ Who suffered, died and arose to save you.
A simple prayer is easy enough,
Dear Jesus,
I have sinned against you, causing You pain. You took my punishment upon the cross to save me from everlasting punishment in Hell. I now ask You to save me and give me the free gift of everlasting life that You promised me.
I can do nothing..... I can give nothing to add to Your completed purchase.
Thank You Jesus.
Amen
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