Webster's dictionary defines it first of all as "deliverance from the power and effects of sin." We all sin and the Bible tells us that in order to live in fellowship with God, we need to be saved, or delivered from sin. The problem... we can't save ourselves. The solution... God says He has a plan. Isaiah says, "we have not brought salvation to the earth," (Isaiah 26:18). Later Isaiah explains further, "He (God) saw that there was no one... to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him." (Isaiah 59:16) In the New Testament, on the day of Pentecost, in speaking of Jesus Peter declared, " Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

The Bible says that even our best efforts at being good aren't sufficient to enable us to stand before God. That is because God is so Holy and pure. When a person realizes the awesome power and holiness of God, he or she also sees his or her own state of unholiness. For example, when Isaiah in chapter 6 describes his vision of heaven and God on the throne, he is overcome by his sinful state and says, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 6:5) Later in Isaiah he describes the state of affairs, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." (Isaiah 64:6) In the New Testament, James decribes it this way, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (James 2:10)

First of all, God is your Creator. In Psalm 139, King David poetically tells us of the inescapable link we each have with God. Part of it reads, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body." (Psalm 139:13,15) Second: God loves you - in the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:3) God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love..." He also states this love in the New Testament in the book of John. Many are familiar with John 3:16, where Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." Third: God desires eternal fellowship with you. God says, "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:22) In the New Testament in the book of John, Jesus himself is quoted to say, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:17) And lastly, God wants us to have joy and peace - In Psalm 32:17, David sings of the joy of being forgiven, He writes, "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" In Isaiah 26:3 we find this promise, "You (God) will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Quoting Isaiah, the Apostle Paul put it this way, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Here are four things to think about, along with quotes from the Bible, as you consider your own need for God's salvation: 1. Admit to yourself and to God that you are a sinner and can't save yourself: “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:2-3). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 2. Understand that it is because of sin that you are separated from God: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden his face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). 3. Believe what the Bible says about Jesus... that he died to take the punishment of your sin. “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) 4. Believe that Jesus rose from the dead and confess this to God and to others. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Jesus said that angels in Heaven rejoice when a new person comes into God's family. We are excited for you in your new life. Here are some suggestions to get you started on your new walk of faith. 1. Read the Bible every day, even if it’s only for fifteen minutes at a time. This will help you grow in your understanding of God. You could begin with one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, to get to know your Savior, Jesus, better. 2. Be sure to pray. Simply meant, praying is talking to God, your Father. Praise Him, thank, Him, tell Him your sins, ask for forgiveness, tell Him your worries and concerns for yourself and for others. You can also pray by reading the Psalms and other Scriptures and making them your own prayers. 3. Find a Bible believing fellowship... a church or Bible study group to attend. As a new believer, it is important to be with other believers and begin to learn from them. 4. God wants us to share our belief in the Good News with others. This can be scary, but God will be with you as you confess your faith in Him to others. You could begin by telling someone who you know already believes in Jesus. This will help you gain confidence in your new faith.

Why not read the Bible, both Old and New Testaments? Search for yourself and see if God is not speaking to you. In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you..." You could start with one of the Gospels. Or if you prefer the Hebrew Scriptures, begin with the Psalms or the book of Isaiah. Humbly ask God to show Himself to you.