Before you can begin to understand God’s word there are several things you need to consider. First of all you need to have spiritual discernment. Spiritual discernment means you can determine if what you hear is from God or Satan. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 says: (6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things , yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him: even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth;, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him: But we have the mind of Christ. You can only get spiritual discernment through salvation. If you are not His child then you cannot know His voice. In other words, if someone other than your parents tell you their rules and that they expect you to obey them, it is difficult for you to understand why they believe the way they do. Secondly, if you are saved, then you need to pray for His guidance in helping you understand and what methods He wants you to use. If you come across something that doesn’t seem relevant to your topic, don’t dismiss it. It could be something that you will need later on or He may show you how He wants you to use it. And lastly, you need to remember that the Bible was written to different cultures at different times. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. That is why some names seem to be different – Noe instead of Noah, Joses instead of Joseph, and so on. This is also true of places. Sometimes, especially in the four gospels, the same story seems to contradict itself. This is because they are written to different people and in a way that they will understand.
I know some people visiting this site are saved but I also know that some are not. So, those of you who are not and don’t understand what salvation is or how to achieve it let me explain. First of all you have to believe in Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18-23 says – (18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was born on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. (20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Secondly, you have to accept him as your Saviour. He is the only way to heaven. John 14:6 says – (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. His death on the cross and His resurrection was necessary for us to be saved. Hebrews 9:19-28, and 10:1-25 says - 9:19-28 (19) For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, (20) Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. (21) Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. (22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (23) It was therefore necessary that the pattern of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24) For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (25) Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (26) For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 10:1-25 (1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those sacrifices there is a rememberance again made of sins every year. (4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do Thy will, O God. (8) Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said He, Lo, I am come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. (14) For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh: (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Lastly, and most importantly, you have to repent. Repent means to ask for forgiveness, be truly sorry, and never do these things again. You CANNOT live a perfect life. You will do something wrong from time to time, but ask God to forgive you and He will. Just don’t keep doing the things you know are wrong. He will still forgive you, but ask Him to help you overcome these things. There is no specific words you need to use. All you need to do, is get on your knees, tell God that you are truly sorry for the way you have been living your life and most of all for not having Him as a part. Then ask Him to forgive you and that you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Use your OWN words. What matters is that it comes from the heart. You can do it anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in a church even though that would be good so you have people to help you on your journey. This world is just a journey, either to heaven or to hell. You don’t have to get “cleaned up” before you get saved. God will help you do that after you accept Him. Do you know Jesus would have went to the cross even if only one person needed to be saved? Matthew 18:12-14 says -(12) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (13) And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more to that sheep, than to the ninety and nine which went not astray. (14) Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
We cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift. Ephesians 2:1-10 says – (1) And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ask God to led you to the church He wants YOU to be in. There are many good Godly churches and there are also many unGodly ones. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn’t mean they are. Some are and some aren’t. Some people believe that just because they go to church (even though they haven’t gotten on their knees and asked for salvation) that they are saved and they are a Christian. This is the same idea as going into a garage and declaring you are a car. Then there are those who think they are saved and are a Christian just because they believe Jesus Christ exists. I believe drugs and alcohol exist but I am not a drug addict or an alcoholic. Unless you get on your knees and beg God for mercy on your sinful soul and accept Him in your life, you ARE NOT saved nor are you a Christian. You must also live every day according to His will. It is not difficult. He will guide you if you will only ask.
In closing, I would like to offer a word of warning. Do not put Him off. If you have not accepted Him by the time you take your final breath, it will be too late and you will spend eternity in a fiery, burning hell. You never know when it is your time to leave this world. We are not guaranteed to live to a very old age. Just look at the babies, toddlers, teenagers, and young adults that die every day. Do you want to spend eternity in heaven with a loving Father or in hell where “there is weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12)? PLEASE make the decision today, right now, to accept His love and grace. May God bless you and I hope to meet you in heaven one day.
I know some people visiting this site are saved but I also know that some are not. So, those of you who are not and don’t understand what salvation is or how to achieve it let me explain. First of all you have to believe in Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18-23 says – (18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was born on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. (20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Secondly, you have to accept him as your Saviour. He is the only way to heaven. John 14:6 says – (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. His death on the cross and His resurrection was necessary for us to be saved. Hebrews 9:19-28, and 10:1-25 says - 9:19-28 (19) For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, (20) Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. (21) Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. (22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (23) It was therefore necessary that the pattern of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24) For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (25) Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (26) For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 10:1-25 (1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those sacrifices there is a rememberance again made of sins every year. (4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do Thy will, O God. (8) Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said He, Lo, I am come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. (14) For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh: (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Lastly, and most importantly, you have to repent. Repent means to ask for forgiveness, be truly sorry, and never do these things again. You CANNOT live a perfect life. You will do something wrong from time to time, but ask God to forgive you and He will. Just don’t keep doing the things you know are wrong. He will still forgive you, but ask Him to help you overcome these things. There is no specific words you need to use. All you need to do, is get on your knees, tell God that you are truly sorry for the way you have been living your life and most of all for not having Him as a part. Then ask Him to forgive you and that you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Use your OWN words. What matters is that it comes from the heart. You can do it anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in a church even though that would be good so you have people to help you on your journey. This world is just a journey, either to heaven or to hell. You don’t have to get “cleaned up” before you get saved. God will help you do that after you accept Him. Do you know Jesus would have went to the cross even if only one person needed to be saved? Matthew 18:12-14 says -(12) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (13) And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more to that sheep, than to the ninety and nine which went not astray. (14) Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
We cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift. Ephesians 2:1-10 says – (1) And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ask God to led you to the church He wants YOU to be in. There are many good Godly churches and there are also many unGodly ones. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn’t mean they are. Some are and some aren’t. Some people believe that just because they go to church (even though they haven’t gotten on their knees and asked for salvation) that they are saved and they are a Christian. This is the same idea as going into a garage and declaring you are a car. Then there are those who think they are saved and are a Christian just because they believe Jesus Christ exists. I believe drugs and alcohol exist but I am not a drug addict or an alcoholic. Unless you get on your knees and beg God for mercy on your sinful soul and accept Him in your life, you ARE NOT saved nor are you a Christian. You must also live every day according to His will. It is not difficult. He will guide you if you will only ask.
In closing, I would like to offer a word of warning. Do not put Him off. If you have not accepted Him by the time you take your final breath, it will be too late and you will spend eternity in a fiery, burning hell. You never know when it is your time to leave this world. We are not guaranteed to live to a very old age. Just look at the babies, toddlers, teenagers, and young adults that die every day. Do you want to spend eternity in heaven with a loving Father or in hell where “there is weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12)? PLEASE make the decision today, right now, to accept His love and grace. May God bless you and I hope to meet you in heaven one day.