Salvation Made Simple
By Renee Patton

For me, a clear gospel presentation begins with admitting I am a sinner, believing God died for my sins, and confessing my sin. This is because I did not remember ever admitting, believing, and confessing for myself. I could not remember speaking the words for myself. I knew the counselor I was dealing with prayed, but did I? Thus, I did not believe 100 percent that I was saved. I typically will use this three-step presentation of the gospel to help remove doubt once the person has finished. 

 

Admit. One must first admit they are a sinner. Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Sin is everywhere and we all commit sin, many times without even trying. Perhaps in a conversation, we say something innocently, then realize it was not correct. That, my friend, is lying. Of course, murder is a sin that is seen and felt by those affected. However, lying is too. Jeremiah reminds one that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9). A baby does not have to be told how to sin, it is simply in our nature. One must admit they are a sinner otherwise we make God a liar as found in I John 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 

 

Believe. One must believe God came to this earth to be born and die for our sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God desires that we should not perish, thus the choice is ours. God gives man the opportunity for salvation if man would take it. Romans 5:8 states “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines commendeth as entrusts or gives. So, God gave us His love through His Son, Jesus. Furthermore, Romans 5:19 shows how sin came from Adam and is made righteous through Christ, “For as by one man’s disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners [mankind], so by the obedience of one [Jesus] shall many [mankind] be made righteous.”

 

Confess. Confession is made with one’s own mouth. The words must come from the person alone. Romans 10:9 talks of both confession and believing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” The key is I have to confess to God. My husband or friend cannot confess for me. While God gives man the opportunity on earth, there will be a time every knee will bow and confess God is Lord, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11). 

 

After I admitted my sin, believed that Jesus came and died to take me to Heaven, then confessed my sin and asked Him to take me to Heaven when I died I knew 100 percent certainty, without a doubt that I was SAVED and on my way to Heaven!

 

Admitted! Believed! Confessed! God is so, so good to us all!